Abstract
People with mental illness are at an increased risk for developing cardio-metabolic disorders. Routine screening following pharmacotherapy is however unacceptably low in sub-Saharan African countries with less than 1% adequately screened. It is unknown whether this is due to a lack of adequate competences. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the barriers, attitudes, confidence, and knowledge of nurses regarding metabolic health, prevention and treatment in Uganda. Twenty-eight nurses (39% female, 30.9±6.9 years) completed the Metabolic - Barriers, Confidence, Attitudes and Knowledge Questionnaire and the physical activity prescription rate item of the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire. More than 75% had a positive attitude towards metabolic screening and intervention and more than 50% were confident in providing smoking cessation advice, and physical activity and nutritional counseling. However, 57% stated that their heavy workload prevented them from doing health screening and promotion activities. There was a negative correlation (ρ=-0.54, P=0.003) between the frequency of physical activity prescription and the perception of the inability of patients to change. The present findings suggest that nurses are generally supportive of metabolic health screening and intervention but their high workload prevents them from implementing metabolic health interventions.
Highlights
Mental disorders are the leading cause of years lived with disability, accounting for almost 20% of all disability-associated burden in low-to-middle and high-income countries[1]
More than 75% had a positive attitude towards metabolic screening and intervention and more than 50% were confident in providing smoking cessation advice, and physical activity and nutritional counseling
A previous review demonstrated that routine screening following pharmacotherapy is unacceptably low in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries with less than one percent adequately screened for all modifiable metabolic syndrome risk factors at baseline[16]
Summary
Mental disorders are the leading cause of years lived with disability, accounting for almost 20% of all disability-associated burden in low-to-middle and high-income countries[1]. A previous review demonstrated that routine screening following pharmacotherapy is unacceptably low in SSA countries with less than one percent adequately screened for all modifiable metabolic syndrome risk factors at baseline[16]. This is understandable given limited resources (including human resources) in many mental health centres. Methods: Twenty-eight nurses (39% female, 30.9±6.9 years) completed the Metabolic – Barriers, Confidence, Attitudes and Knowledge Questionnaire and the physical activity prescription rate item of the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire. Attitudes, confidence, and knowledge of nurses regarding metabolic health screening and intervention in people with mental illness: a pilot study from Uganda.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
