The design and process of a family and community-based intervention for relapse prevention in people living with schizophrenia in Iran.

Abstract

People living with schizophrenia (PLS) suffer frequent relapse accompanied by emergency room visits, premature mortality, lower quality of life and a substantial social and economic burden on families and health systems. There is a dearth of community-based relapse prevention interventions (RPIs) in Iran. To determine an ideal model for a community-based RPIs for PLS. A qualitative study with 27 experts in Iran was carried out to understand the ideal RPIs for PLS and the key components of such interventions. In 16 semi-structured interviews and 8 group-discussions, the participants identified six major stages of family and community-based RPIs including preparation, social mobilization, local team formation, design an RPI, implementing the RPI, participatory monitoring, and evaluation of the RPI. Given the suboptimal healthcare systems and lack of professionals and services, PLS in Iran may benefit from family and community-based RPIs. Our findings warrant pilot testing of such initiatives across developing communities like Iran to improve health outcomes of PLS.