Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia in Western Maharashtra

Aims: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices among caregivers of schizophrenia patients in western Maharashtra. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study design was used which was carried out in mental health institute. Methods ?A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the required data from caregivers accompanying the schizophrenia patients. Convenient samples of 50 caregivers were selected. Most of the caregivers (30%) had no prior knowledge about schizophrenia. The fathers (24 %) and relatives (24%) were the major caregivers for the patients. Caregivers considered medical intervention to be the most important, but they also advocated supportive interventions such as counseling and family support. Financial problem was one of the factors that impacted negatively on follow-up of patients. Conclusion- Educational programmes for the relatives of patients by developing psycho-educational intervention and sensitization campaigns are needed.