Previous Research

Insight, psychopathology and global functioning in schizophrenia in urban Malawi
Niall Crumlish, Prince Samalani, Anthony Sefasi, Anthony Kinsella, Eadbhard O’Callaghan, Harris Chilale

Abstract

Insight, psychopathology and functioning are related in schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether insight relates independently to functioning after controlling for psychopathology. Equally, any such relationship may vary culturally. We investigated the relationship between insight, psychopathology and functioning in 60 patients with schizophrenia in Mzuzu, a town in Malawi. After controlling for psychopathology, functioning was associated with the ;symptom relabelling’ dimension of insight (P=0.01). This preliminary finding suggests that symptom-focused psychoeducation might be appropriate for African patients with schizophrenia.

A little knowledge Caregiver burden in schizophrenia in Malawi
Anthony Sefasi, Niall Crumlish, Prince Samalani, Anthony Kinsella, Eadbhard O’Callaghan, Harris Chilale

Abstract

To determine the relationship between schizophrenia knowledge and burden of care among caregivers of people with schizophrenia in Mzuzu, Malawi. Method We recruited 90 patients and 90 caregivers to a randomized, controlled trial of group caregiver education in schizophrenia. At baseline, we administered the Family Questionnaire, which measures caregivers’ knowledge of biomedical and psychosocial aspects of schizophrenia. We measured caregiver burden with the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire. Using multivariate analysis, we examined the relationship between knowledge and burden, controlling for other patient and caregiver variables. We hypothesised that knowledge and burden would be inversely related. Results Caregiver burden was associated with knowledge (p = 0.001), but contrary to our hypothesis, greater knowledge was associated with greater burden. Conclusion In this population, knowledge about schizophrenia was associated with higher caregiver burden. This does not prove that knowledge causes burden, but suggests that cultural factors may mediate the relationship between knowledge and burden, and that care is needed when introducing caregiver education in new cultures.

Duration of Untreated Psychosis and its Associated Factors
Harris K Chilale, Richard Banda, Japhet Muyawa, Atipatsa C Kaminga

Abstract

Early intervention is said to improve outcome in first episode psychosis, yet studies in developed countries have persistently found that many individuals with first episode psychosis delay significantly, before they access mental health services. Whether these findings apply to Malawi is not known. This study, therefore, aims to assess the average Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP), defined as the interval from first psychotic symptoms to first effective treatment, and assess factors that are associated with DUP in Mzuzu, Malawi. Methodology: The study was conducted in a catchment area with a population of 1,022,417. A total of 140 patients were recruited and assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID), schedule for the assessment of positive and negative symptoms, Beiser Scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). DUP was assessed using Beiser Scale, and in-depth interview from carers. Pearson Chi-square was used to analyse factors associated with DUP. Results: The mean DUP was 51.70 months. Low level of education, unemployment, diagnosis of schizophrenia, low GAF and negative symptoms were associated with a longer DUP. Most patients were assisted by family members in accessing services, and traditional healers were most commonly the first resource used. Those who first consulted traditional healers had a longer DUP than those who first consulted a health care service. Conclusion: The findings indicate that individuals with schizophrenia in Mzuzu have long Dup this could be due to difficulties in accessing health services and that several factors are associated with this delay.

Contact Details

Research Coordinator
Saint John of God University
P.O. Box 744
Mzuzu, Malawi
Tel: + (265) 111 611636
Mobile: + (265) 991887119
Email: researchchs@sjog.mw