Prevalence and factors associated with higher levels of perceived stigma among people with schizophrenia Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe and disabling chronic mental disorder and accompanied by different levels of a perceived stigma that affects almost all age groups. This perceived stigma negatively impacts the quality of life, physical, and mental well-being of people with schizophrenia. It is also linked with a poor level of functioning, poor adherence to drugs, and increased dropout rate. However, research into perceived stigma and associated factors among people with schizophrenia in low-and middle-income countries are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perceived stigma and correlates among people with schizophrenia in Ethiopia. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2018. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The standardized perceived devaluation and discrimination questionnaire was used to assess perceived stigma. The systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with perceived stigma. An odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the strength of the association. Results: The prevalence of high perceived stigma was found to be 62.6% [95% CI 58.3, 67.4]. In the multivariate logistic regression, female sex [AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.42, 3.71], age of onset of schizophrenia [AOR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.19, 2.89], multiple hospitalizations [AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.16, 3.27], and duration of illness 1-5 years [AOR = 2, 95% CI 1.01, 3.27], 6-10 years [AOR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.29, 4.74], and ˃10 years [AOR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.40, 5.79] were factors significantly associated with higher perceived stigma. Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of high perceived stigma among people with schizophrenia was found to be 62.6%. Female sex, age of onset of schizophrenia, multiple hospitalizations, and duration of illness were factors significantly associated with higher perceived stigma. Measures to enhance the awareness of the patients, their families and their social networks about perceived stigma and associated factors, by the leading government and healthcare institutions are warranted.

Prevalence and associated factors of perceived stigma among medically ill patients on follow-up screened positive for depression in Ethiopia: facility-based cross-sectional study

“…37 The result also agrees with the findings of a workshop focusing on depressed patients in the USA 10 and another study that referred to people with schizophrenia in Ethiopia, 62.6%;. 33 However, our result is lower than those of other studies conducted in Ethiopia; one of them found the prevalence of perceived stigma to be higher than that in our work 83.5%, 18 while another reported similarly higher results for epilepsy patients in Butajira, Ethiopia 81%. 38 The above differences in prevalence might be attributed to the varied timings of the studies as well as the differences in population and sample size.…”

Perceived quality of life and associated factors among patients with severe mental illness in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…This significantly affects the treatment adherence, rates of relapse, ability to perform and/or enjoy occupational and social activities, future outlook, medical problems [ 2 ] [ 10 – 12 ]. Perceived stigma and drug non adherence were negatively affects the quality of life of patient with severe mental illness [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Crude and Partition Extracts of Newbouldia laevis Leaves Attenuate Excitotoxin-induced Stereotypy in Mice

“…This may contribute to noncompliance and have negative impact on the patient [6]. Stigmatization, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal are other factors that reduce quality of life and self esteem in schizophrenia [7].…”