Knowledge on Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs among Caregivers of Mentally Ill Patients

Shalini G Nayak; Benedicta Jane; Josna Mary Joseph; Glory J Waghela; Asha S; Akshatha S; Nami Ria Kurian

doi:10.37591/jonsp.v5i3.770

Abstract

Antipsychotic drugs have high rate of nonadherence due to unpleasant side effects. This study aimed to assess the caregivers’ knowledge on atypical antipsychotic drugs. A descriptive survey approach was used. The study was conducted among 100 caregivers of mentally ill patients receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs. The data were collected through a self-administered knowledge questionnaire on atypical antipsychotic drugs. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that 45% of them had good knowledge and another 45% of them had an average knowledge, 6% of them had excellent knowledge and 4% had poor knowledge. The mean percentage of knowledge score was 63% in management, 42% in prevention, 52% general concept and 47% in the areas of side effects and precaution. There was a significant association between demographic variables such as monthly income (χ2=0.115; p=0.013), previous exposure to atypical antipsychotics (χ2=0.010; p=0.001), patient’s diagnosis (χ2=0.177; p=0.022), age (χ2=0.641; p=0.014), education (χ2=0.001; p=0.001), occupation (χ2=0.01; p=0.002) and knowledge score at 0.05 level of significance.