Nurses Perceived Factors Contributing to Relapse among Patients in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu State

Abstract

This study investigated what nurses at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu State believe causes patients to relapse into psychotic symptoms. This study employed a survey to collect data and took a detailed, descriptive approach. The study's goal is to determine the social and economic causes of relapse, the psychological causes, and the personal or physical elements that contribute to relapse in patients at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu State. The research questions were in line with the study's objectives. The study focused on 152 nurses. The study randomly selected 110 nurses from this group to participate in the trial. A questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The study's key findings indicate that nurses believe a variety of social and economic factors contribute to relapse. These challenges include: - High medicine prices (56%). - Unemployment (68 percent) - Lack of funds (59%). - Low educational levels (42%). They also identified psychological aspects, such as stressful life experiences (65%). - Patients feel better and discontinue treatment (59%). - Poor adjustment prior to illness (50%). - Social disengagement (73%). Furthermore, physical and health-related factors include: - Medication nonadherence (65%), pharmacological side effects (64%), and failure to attend doctor appointments (59%). The study concluded that nurses should assist patients and their families in adhering to their recommended drugs. Religious and social groups should support and include patients who have been discharged from psychiatric care in order to help them reintegrate into society and reduce their risk of relapse. Nurses should check on patients who have been discharged from the hospital following mental health therapy. They should remind these people to take their medications as prescribed and to keep their doctor's visits.