ORAL PAPER PRESENTATION: Pathways to the first contact with mental health services among patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness with profound impact on patient and their care givers. There is increasing evidence that delay in commencement of treatment following the onset of illness, may be related to the pathways patients navigate before accessing mental health services. AIM: To assess the pathways of care to the first contact with mental health services among patients with schizophrenia MATERIAL AND METHOD: 150 diagnosed schizophrenia patients aged 12-60yrs were recruited as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. The socio demographic details were gathered using semi-structured socio-demographic data sheet, semi-structured pathways to care questionnaire and positive and negative syndrome scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) were administered. RESULT: The four major pathways to care in study were faith healers (62.67%), quacks(15.33%(, general physician (14.67%) and psychiatrist (7.33%). Statistically significant association between pathways to care and socio- economic status and occupation. However, no statistically significant association between age, sex, religion and marital status were found. CONCLUSION: The most common pathway to care were faith healers. Education of head of family, socio-economic status rural background and occupational status of patient have a significant impact on first pathway of psychiatric care. The findings suggest that while planning mental health services, emphasis should be made on collaboration between psychiatric and non psychiatric services.