Use of mental health institutions in Zimbabwe and factors affecting length of stay of patients.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the functioning of mental health care institutions and the factors contributing to prolonged length of stay of in-patients.


METHODS
The study was a descriptive type which employed convenient and stratified simple random sampling procedure to select the institutions and the study subjects. Patients were categorized according to diagnostic grouping and sample sizes were calculated in proportion to ward size and sex. Data was collected through face to face interviewing, administration of the questionnaire, completion of a checklist, observation of hospital records and patient activities as well as studying of patient case notes.


METHODS
The study was done at Ngomahuru and Ingutsheni in Masvingo and Bulawayo respectively.


METHODS
The subjects of the study comprised patients and selected health cadres.


METHODS
Length of stay of inpatients by diagnostic grouping and factors contributing to prolonged stay of in-patients.


RESULTS
The two institutions were functioning as both homes and hospitals with more patients needing more social than medical care. Factors affecting length of stay included destitution, lack of community based rehabilitation therapy facilities, poor follow up after discharge and institutionalization of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Mental health care institutions are experiencing prolonged stay of patients of years or a life time. This has implications on costs and quality of services provided in feeding, clothing and caring for them medically. There is need to consider alternative cost effective, and efficient options of care.
Musonza
T G
TG
Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Blair Research Laboratory, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Nyati
Z
Z
D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe