Abstract
Objectives
To (1) highlight the profile of the needs for care among a sample of persons with schizophrenia, using the Camberwell Assessment
of Needs (CAN-EU), in comparison with the international data; (2) assess the association of patients’ needs with socio-demographics,
clinical characteristics and objective quality of life (QOL); and (3) compare the perceptions of patients with those of the
staff.
of Needs (CAN-EU), in comparison with the international data; (2) assess the association of patients’ needs with socio-demographics,
clinical characteristics and objective quality of life (QOL); and (3) compare the perceptions of patients with those of the
staff.
Results
There were 130 patients (68.5 % men, mean age 36.8). The highest frequency of unmet needs was for money (29.2 %). About a
fifth of the subjects expressed unmet needs for six other items, including accommodation. The mean total needs was 8.67(7.1),
the total met needs was 5.29 and total unmet needs was 3.38. The dimension with the highest frequency (40 %) of unmet needs
(functioning) is constituted by items that are related to family care at home. Staff identified significantly more needs than
patients. Higher levels of needs were significantly associated with severity of psychopathology and negative affect, and not
participating in outdoor activities. The mean number of needs was similar to reports from developing countries and higher
than those from European countries. The met/unmet need ratio was similar to European data.
fifth of the subjects expressed unmet needs for six other items, including accommodation. The mean total needs was 8.67(7.1),
the total met needs was 5.29 and total unmet needs was 3.38. The dimension with the highest frequency (40 %) of unmet needs
(functioning) is constituted by items that are related to family care at home. Staff identified significantly more needs than
patients. Higher levels of needs were significantly associated with severity of psychopathology and negative affect, and not
participating in outdoor activities. The mean number of needs was similar to reports from developing countries and higher
than those from European countries. The met/unmet need ratio was similar to European data.
Conclusion
Despite free health services and family support, a number of our treated community-dwelling persons with schizophrenia had
problems meeting basic and health-care needs. The findings call for a consideration of techniques for enhancing the capability
of families to cope with the care of patients.
problems meeting basic and health-care needs. The findings call for a consideration of techniques for enhancing the capability
of families to cope with the care of patients.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0514-9
- Authors
- Muhammad A. Zahid, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait
- J. U. Ohaeri, Department of Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine Hospital, Kuwait, Kuwait
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954