Psychiatrists’ Disclosure of the Side Effects of Medications to Patients with Schizophrenia in A Major Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Crucial factors to consider in the management of psychotic disorders are the side effects of medications administered in these conditions. They commonly occur with all known classes of antipsychotics used in the treatment of schizophrenia, and this influences adherence.
Objectives: This study determines the extent to which doctors disclose the potential side effects of antipsychotics to patients and its association with drug adherence behavior.
Method: Adult patients with schizophrenia who were receiving medications at a psychiatric facility were sampled over a 2-year period. Consenting patients who met the inclusion criteria completed a questionnaire requesting information on the knowledge about side
effects of their medications, sources of this knowledge and the side effects they were experiencing while using these pills. They also responded to the Medication Adherence Rating Scale-10. The data generated was analyzed by means of frequencies, means and Chi
square test.
Results: 175 respondents were interviewed. Their mean age was 36.01+/-9.71 years, with a male preponderance. 96% of the respondents were not informed about the likely side effects of their drugs before commencing treatment. No statistically significant relationship between having knowledge about side effects and drug adherence p=0.137. All the patients were on conventional antipsychotics with some actively experiencing side effects, most of which were fatigue and somnolence.
Conclusion: The non-disclosure of information about side effects of medications to patients were enormous. There is a need for psychiatrists to give facts and details about treatment to their patients to enhance standard of care.