title: The socio-demographic characteristics and patterns of help-seeking among patients with schizophrenia in south-east Nigeria.
abstract: A large proportion of psychiatric patients in Nigeria seek help from other sources which ultimately lead to treatment delay. Treatment delay could have deleterious effects on treatment outcome especially for people with schizophrenia. The study aimed to determine the socio-demographic characteristics associated with treatment delay in people with schizophrenia. This was a cross-sectional study of 367 patients with schizophrenia presenting for the first time at a psychiatric hospital. About 76% of them had visited traditional/faith healers as a first treatment option. Long distance and use of traditional healers as first treatment option were associated with treatment delay. There is need for effective community psychiatry service delivery with emphasis on those strategies that can educate, influence, and mobilize communities concerning the aetiology, prevention, early detection, and treatment of mental illness.
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Odinka
authors: Martins
authors: M
authors: Oche
authors: Appolos C
authors: AC
authors: Ndukuba
authors: Rosemary C
authors: RC
authors: Muomah
authors: Michael U
authors: MU
authors: Osika
authors: Muideen O
authors: MO
authors: Bakare
authors: Ahamefule O
authors: AO
authors: Agomoh
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Uwakwe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D029221:Faith Healing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D014505:Urban Population