Knowledge of caregivers on schizophrenia

66 Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community et al., 2007 showed similar results when patients were followed up over a period of a year. Perhaps if our study were to be extended to a minimum of a year, there might be a significant reduction in the readmission rates.

5.2.2 Defaulter rates

There was a significant decrease in defaulter rates when the intervention group was compared to the control group. This observation could be due to the increase in social contacts and support between the caregivers and the staffs providing training in the intervention group. One such study which looked at family interventions Carrà G et al., 2007 showed improved compliance at 12 months of a support program.

5.2.3 Family burden

There was a significant reduction in terms of severity and burden of assistance in daily living in the intervention group at 3 months from baseline. Generally, the FBISSF scores in other sections also improved in the intervention group, although the improvement was not statistically different. This tool include sections that evaluated the need for assistance in daily living, need for supervision, debt and financial burden, impact on daily routines, and worry. According to Chien Wong Chien WT et al., 2007, who used a similar assessment, there was a significant improvement in the caregiver burden and functioning, especially in terms of communication and their attitude towards the patient during the study period of 12 months. They also noted reduced rehospitalisation and relapse rates as a result of better family functioning and health after psychoeducation. Similar but insignificant improvement was also noted in the control group in terms of improved impact on daily routines, assistance in daily living, the need for supervision, debt and financial burden, impact on daily routines, and worry. This improvement could be due to the external environmental influence during the time between the 3 rd and 6 th month post-test. During this period, the WHO celebrated the annual World Mental Health Day in October. Part of the programme included awareness of good mental health published by the mass media as well as health camps at the community level.

5.3 Feasibility of the psychoeducation programme

Overall, almost all staffs 80-90 found that the programme was beneficial, easy to implement, and should be continued. During the study, these staff had adequate support from their colleagues. However, more than half of them found the programme a burden as they had multiple health programmes to run concurrently