Pathways to Psychiatric Care among Patients with Schizophrenia in Uyo, Nigeria

摘要

Background: The pathways patients navigate to access mental health care have been reported to be responsible for the delay in commencing effective treatment following onset of schizophrenia. Objective: This study was conducted to delineate the pathways patients navigate on their way to psychiatric services and to explore the socio-demographic and clinical factors on the delay of referral for treatment. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the pathways to mental health care among patients with schizophrenia (n=108), at their first contact with mental health services at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital mental health services. Results: Traditional and religious healers were the first contact for the majority (76.8%) of the patients. Patients who first contacted non-orthodox healers made a greater number of contacts in the course of seeking help compared to those who first contacted orthodox practitioners (p=0.02). Negative symptoms of schizophrenia were significantly associated with a longer duration of untreated psychosis (p<0.001). Conclusion: Mental health educational interventions are required to change the health system and illness beliefs of the people. This will change their beliefs and perceptions of mental illness and ultimately positively change their help seeking behaviour towards orthodox mental healthcare.