Attitudes towards and beliefs about schizophrenia in Xhosa families with affected probands.

N.I Mbanga,D.J Stein,A Allen,R.A Emsley,D.J.H Niehaus,N.C Mzamo,C.J Wessels

doi:10.4102/curationis.v25i1.718

N.I Mbanga, D.J Stein + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v25i1.718

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Journal: Curationis	Publication Date: Sep 27, 2002
Citations: 47	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Edith Cowan University, Stellenbosch University

Abstract

The development of effective psychoeducational programs for the management of schizophrenia requires an understanding of attitudes towards and beliefs about the disorder in families of affected probands. In order to establish the need for adaptation of Western psychoeducational programs, these variables were investigated in Xhosa speaking families in South Africa. Xhosa speaking family members of patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia were recruited on a voluntary basis, and interviewed with a structured belief and attitudes questionnaire adapted from previous studies in the West. The study population was drawn from both urban and rural Xhosa communities in South Africa. 100 Xhosa speaking family members participated in the study. Family members most often recommended treatment with psychotropic medications (88%) and traditional healers (32%), and least often recommended psychotherapy (4%) and meditation (1%). Of the respondents who recommended traditional healing methods, 92% also recommended simultaneous use of allopathic treatment. Attitudes towards and beliefs about schizophrenia in family members of patients with schizophrenia may differ substantially from those described in previous work in the West. An understanding of local attitudes and beliefs is crucial for the successful development of local psychoeducational programs.

Highlights

Schizophrenia is a prevalent and chronic disorder, which is accompanied by substantial impairment in function
Attitudes towards and beliefs about schizo phrenia in family members of patients with schizophre nia may differ substantially from those described in previ ous work in the West
An understanding of local attitudes and beliefs is crucial for the successful development of local psychoeducational programs

Summary

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a prevalent and chronic disorder, which is accompanied by substantial impairment in function. The total costs of this disorder, comprising both direct costs of treat ment and indirect costs of dysfunction, are extremely high. It has been estimated that in the United States, the treatment of patients with schizophrenia consumes 2.5% of the annual total health care allocations (Meltzer, 1999:3). There have been important advances in the man agement of schizophrenia in recent decades. These include the introduction of novel psychopharmacological agents, as well as the use of psychosocial interventions. Psychoeducational programs are increasingly used, with a growing recognition that family members of patients with schizophrenia may play a useful role in helping to prevent re lapse (Goldstein, 1995:59)

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