| Popis: |
Schizophrenia is a costly illness exacting its toll not only on the affected victims but also on the caregivers as well. Studies on cost of treatment (COT) of schizophrenia in Sub-Saharan Africa are few, and even fewer are studies that sought to assess the relationship between the cost of care and its relationship to the burden of care among caregivers. A total of 270 patients with schizophrenia comprising 90 patients receiving acute phase treatment, 180 receiving maintenance care, and 165 caregivers participated in this study from a tertiary institution in Northern Nigeria. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus was used to make diagnosis of schizophrenia among patients, and anxiety disorder and depression among caregivers; a modified cost of illness questionnaire to estimate the COT; and the Zarit Burden Questionnaire to assess the level of burden among caregivers. Findings revealed mean age of participants to be 33.04 years (SD±9.743). Majority were singles (45.6%) and of low socioeconomic status (SES) (88.5%). COT had a statistically significant relationship with participants' illness presentation, SES, Zarit Burden Score and Length of Caregiving. Mean monthly estimate of direct cost of treatment per patient was N25,398.19 ($133.67) for acute patients and N3087.21 ($16.25) for stable patient. Regression analysis showed length of caregiving and SES as predictors of direct COT. COT was intricately linked to burden of care and length of caregiving. Out-of-pocket payment predominated. Government intervention in subsidizing COT will help reduce the burden of care, the frequency of relapse and the complications of prolonged non-treatment |
