Background. Despite recommendations by guidelines to avoid combinations of antipsychotics unless after multiple trials of antipsychotic monotherapy, it is quite a common practice to use combinations. This practice leads to unnecessary expenses and exposes the patient to severe drug adverse effects. Methods. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 423 study subjects. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors of antipsychotic polypharmacy among schizophrenia outpatients. Result. The overall prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy was found to be 28.2%. Extra pyramidal side effects (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.38, 5.71), repeated psychiatric hospitalization (AOR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.50), history of substance use (AOR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.36, 5.88), longer duration of treatment (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.87), and drug nonadherence (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.98) were found to be significantly associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy. Conclusion. Prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy was found to be high among the current study participants. Individuals who had extra pyramidal side effects, admission, substance use, duration of treatment, and drug nonadherence were associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy.

BackgroundDespite the fact that adherence to antipsychotic medications is the cornerstone in the treatment and prevention of relapse of the disease, non-adherence is a major problem among schizophrenia patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with antipsychotic medication non-adherence among schizophrenia patients in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital.MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 people with schizophrenia at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital from April to May 2014. Non-adherence was assessed using the questionnaire of Morisky medication adherence rating scale and semi-structured questions for assessment of associated factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of non-adherence.ResultsPrevalence of non-adherence was 41.0% among schizophrenia patients. Living in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 3.28), current substance use (AOR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.56), long duration of treatment (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.22, 3.50) and polypharmacy (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.34, 3.40) were found to be significantly associated with non-adherence.ConclusionThe results indicate that non-adherence to antipsychotic medication was a major problem among patients with schizophrenia. Reducing the number of antipsychotic medications and availing drugs in rural areas may decrease the level of non-adherence.