FREQUENCY OF FACTORS RELATED TO NON ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA PRESENTING TO PSYCHIATRY DEPARTMENT AT CIVIL HOSPITAL KARACHI.

Publishing as open access

  • Anaam Bugti SMMBIT-Karachi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0443-4610
  • Dr Zainab Sher Aga Khan University Hospital
  • Dr Quratulain Yousaf MATRC ANF, Mangopir
  • Dr Anand Parwani Senior Registrar Department of Psychiatry, Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi
Keywords: Non-adherence, Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic medication, Factors, Pakistan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors associated with non-adherence to antipsychotic medication among adult patients with schizophrenia.
Study design: Cross-sectional study

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi in a period of six months.

Methods: A total of 155 patients were recruited through consecutive sampling. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical history and factors influencing non-adherence were collected using structured interviews.
Results: The mean age of participants was 40.67 ± 11.44 years, with 63.2% being male. Non-adherence to medication was observed in 77.4% of patients, with significant contributing factors including adverse drug effects (61.5%), stigma (42.3%) and financial barriers (46.2%).
Conclusion: Non-adherence to antipsychotic medications is alarmingly high among patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan, necessitating targeted interventions addressing economic, social and clinical challenges to improve adherence rates.
Keywords: Non-adherence, Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic medication, Factors, Pakistan.

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Published
2025-06-28
How to Cite
1.
Bugti A, Sher DZ, Yousaf DQ, Parwani DA. FREQUENCY OF FACTORS RELATED TO NON ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA PRESENTING TO PSYCHIATRY DEPARTMENT AT CIVIL HOSPITAL KARACHI. J Pak Psychiatr Soc [Internet]. 2025Jun.28 [cited 2025Jul.1];22(02). Available from: https://www.jpps.pk/index.php/journal/article/view/993