Introduction Objectives Methodology Results Discussion

43 Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community ABSTRACT Effective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community Paranthaman Vengadasalam 1 , Satnam Kaur Harbhajan Singh 2 , Jean-Li Lim 3 , Amar-Singh HSS 4,7 , Sondi Sararaks 5 , Nafizah Mat Nasir 6 , Ranjit Kaur Praim Singh 8 , Asmah Zainal Abidin 8 1 Jelapang Health Clinic, Perak. 2 Bahagia Ulu Kinta Hospital, Perak. 3 Slim River Health Clinic, Perak. 4 Clinical Research Centre Perak. 5 Institute of Health Systems Research. 6 Tanjung Malim Health Clinic, Perak. 7 Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh, Perak 8 Perak State Health Department. Introduction Objectives Psychoeducation has shown promising benefits in managing patients with schizophrenia. In Malaysia, the use of psychoeducation is rather limited and its impact indeterminate. This study was to assess the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducation programme for the community in improving caregiver knowledge, decreasing caregivers’ burden, reducing patients’ readmission and defaulter follow-up rates. Methodology This was a controlled interventional study involving caregivers of adults with schizophrenia. Subjects for the interventional and control group were selected from seven separate community clinics. All respondents identified were given the demographic survey, pre- test questionnaire and The Family Burden Interview Schedule - Short Form FBISSF prior to intervention. The respondents in the interventional group went through a structured psychoeducational program followed by an immediate post-test questionnaire after the completion of the modules. Caregivers were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post- intervention for knowledge and burden using the knowledge questionnaire and FBISSF. Patients were monitored for relapse and defaulting treatment. The staff was also required to complete a survey form regarding their opinion of the whole psychoeducation program 3 months into the programme. Results 109 caregivers were included, with 54 and 55 in the intervention and control groups respectively. Baseline demography of the caregivers showed that mean age 53.1 vs. 53.9 years and ethnicity was not significantly different in both groups. However, there were more males in the intervention group 50.0 vs. 27.3, p=0.025, duration as a caregiver was significantly shorter in the intervention group caring for less than 5 years: 37.0