A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Psychoeducation on Knowledge of Antipsychotics Drugs among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam

Background: Antipsychotic drugs are an essential treatment for most individuals with schizophrenia and are considered first-line pharmacotherapy. The main aim of antipsychotic treatment is to prevent acute relapse and to help keep the person well and stable. The primary objectives in the treatment of schizophrenia are to reduce frequency and severity of psychotic exacerbation, ameliorate a broad range of symptoms, and improve functional capacity and quality of life. Treatment includes medication and a range of psychosocial interventions. Objectives of the study: To find out the effectiveness of Psychoeducation on knowledge of antipsychotics drugs among caregivers of Schizophrenia patients. Methods of the study: The research design adopted was pre-experimental design, one grouppre-test-post-test design. Totally 60 caregivers were selected by purposive sampling method. The study was conducted in psychiatric ward at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam. The data was collected through Self-Structured Knowledge questionnaires of 30 items. Subsequently Psychoeducation ofantipsychotic drugs was given to all participants in group for 10-15 minutes. Thepost test was conducted by the same Self-Structured Knowledge questionnaires on7th day. Result: During pretest, none of the participants had adequate level of knowledge.42 (70%) had moderate adequate knowledge and 18 (30%) had inadequate knowledge on antipsychotic drugs. After the Psychoeducation, the knowledge level of caregivers after 7th days of post test showed that 32 (53.3%) had adequate knowledge, and 28 (46.7%) had moderate adequate knowledge. There was significant difference found between before and after Psychoeducation. The overall pre-test mean with SD was (2.980) and post-test mean with SD was (3.882). Thus, the result showed that Psychoeducation of antipsychotic drug was highly effective. There was a marked difference in knowledge score of caregivers (t =15.79) after the psychoeducation of antipsychotic drugs. Conclusion: The findings of the study are consistent with the literature and have support from the other studies.