title: Effects of the family schizophrenia psychoeducation program for individuals with recent onset schizophrenia in Viet Nam.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although psychoeducation has been found effective for improving the life functioning of patients with schizophrenia in high income countries, there have been relatively few studies of schizophrenia psychoeducation adapted for low and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Southeast Asia. The present study assessed effects of the Family Schizophrenia Psychoeducation Program (FSPP) among Vietnamese patients and their families on the patients' (1) quality of life and (2) medication non-compliance, and the family and patients' (3) stigma towards schizophrenia, and (4) consumer satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This intervention study involved 59 patients, and their families, from the Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital, randomly assigned to treatment (n=30) or control (n=29) conditions. Control subjects received services as usual (antipsychotic medication); treatment group subjects received the FSPP as well. Blind-rater assessments were conducted at T1 immediately after project enrollment (prior to participating in the FSPP) and at T2 six months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant treatment effects on: (1) quality of life, (2) stigma, (3) medication compliance, and (4) consumer satisfaction, with all effects favoring the treatment group. Effect sizes were moderate to large.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This psychoeducation program appears to reduce stigma, improve quality of life and medication compliance, and increase consumer satisfaction of Vietnamese patients with schizophrenia and their families, beyond the effects of antipsychotic medication. It involves relatively little cost, and it may be useful for it or equivalent programs to be implemented in other hospitals in Viet Nam, and potentially other low-income Asian countries to improve the lives of patients with schizophrenia.
authors: Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital, 193 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Da Nang, Viet Nam. Electronic address: TranNgoc.DPH@gmail.com.
authors: T N
authors: TN
authors: Ngoc
authors: Clinical Sciences Program, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Weiss
authors: Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital, 193 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Da Nang, Viet Nam.
authors: L T
authors: LT
authors: Trung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D057545:Social Stigma; D014744:Vietnam; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Medication compliance; Psychoeducation; Quality of life; Schizophrenia; Stigma; Vietnam