We investigate the electrical behavior of a symmetric liquid crystal (LC) cell: elecrode-silane-LC-silane-electrode. The silane (chlorodimethyloctadecyl-silane) layer induces a homeotropic orientation of the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) molecules. The wettability technique is used to detect the change of the surface energy of the electrode upon cleaning and silane layer deposition. We report on the dynamic impedance measurements of the nematic liquid crystal cell. It is found that the silane alignment layer has a blocking effect on the liquid crystal (LC) cell. We also study the relaxation behavior of the cell which is later assimilated as an electrical equivalent circuit.
IntroductionAttitudes toward people with mental disorders in Arab countries have undergone huge transformations throughout history. Stigmatization of the mentally ill has been a long tradition in our communities. The public’s views have evolved since then, however, little is known about the current situation regarding mental illness stigma in our context.ObjectivesExplore attitudes towards mental illness and mental health knowledge in Arab countries.MethodsWe carried out a multinational cross-sectional study using online self-administered surveys in the Arabic language from June to November 2021 across 16 Arab countries.The Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill scale,the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule scale and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form were administered to participants from the general public.ResultsThe study sample was predominantly female (77%), married (41%), educated (89% with tertiary education), living in urban areas (85%), with a mean age of 29.6 ± 10.8 years.Based on the CAMI, MAKS, and ATSPPH-SF total scores, 75th, 50th, and 25th percentile were considered as cut-off points for the high, medium, and low scores. We found that 26.5% exhibited stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illnesses, 31.7% had poor knowledge, and 28.0% hold negative attitudes toward help-seeking. Regarding attitudes toward mental illness, the highest mean score was on the social restrictiveness subscale (35.1 ± 5.6), reflecting the lowest amounts of stigma in this dimension; while the lowest mean score was on the Authoritarianism subscale (32.0 ± 4.6).We found a significant difference between countries regarding attitudes (F=194.8, p<.001) and knowledge (F=88.7, p<.001).ConclusionsAlthough much scientific progress has been made in the fields of diagnosing and treating mental illness, at a societal level the stigmatization of mental illness is still an important societal problem. The general population is largely ignorant about mental disorders, and fear of the mentally ill remains prevalent.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
IntroductionThere is a modest but consistent association between violent behavior and schizophrenia. Persons with schizophrenia are at a modestly increased risk of committing violence ,with approximately half of victims being relativesObjectivesOur study examined the factors attributed to violent behaviour within the relationship patient-caregiver in schizophrenia according to caregivers.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia during the period from June to August 2022.Patients who attended our department of psychiatry at the Razi.The questionnaire was divided into three sections. The first section contained items regarding patient- and caregiver-related information.In the second section, caregivers were asked questions about their experience of violence perpetration and victimization involving their relative with schizophrenia in the past 12 months.Beyond frequency, caregivers were also asked to specify, the causes of the violence perpetrated and sufferedThe third section contained two measures, i.e. the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the abridged version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), assessing psychological distress and caregiving burden, respectively. The protocol of the study was approved by the ethics committee of the Razi Psychiatric Hospital.ResultsThe majority of caregivers were females (63.6%), and consisted of patients’ parents (50.9%).The most endorsed causes of violence victimization were symptoms of illness (57.3%), followed by refusal to adhere to treatment (49.1%), drug reaction (23.6%), and negative events; while the most reported causes of violence perpetration were refusal to adhere to treatment (42.7%), Symptoms of illness (37.3%), and limitation of patients’ activities and/or liberty (32.7%).Bivariate analysis showed that lower patients’ economic status (p=.042), tobacco (p=.015) and alcohol use (p=.014) as well as taking Trihexyphenidyl (p=.001) were significantly and positively associated with violence perpetration by caregivers against their relatives with schizophrenia.Multivariable analysis (Logistic regression) revealed that caregivers’ levels of burden remained significantly associated with violence victimization occurrence (p=.026; OR=1.48), while only having other person in charge of caring represented a significant factor associated with perpetration of any form of violence against patients (p=.007; OR=.17).ConclusionsIt is important for medical staffs to provide caregivers with professional knowledge about patients’ real motivation for violence in order to improve their skills of problem-solving.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
IntroductionAggressive behavior in psychosis is not uncommon. Studies found that among the patients with schizophrenia engaged in violence, more than half committed violence directly against family members. However, few studies have explored violence victimization and perpetration among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.ObjectivesOur study investigated caregiver reports of aggressive acts committed or suffered by their relative with schizophreniaMethodsThis is a cross-sectional study among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia during the period from June to August 2022.Patients who attended our department of psychiatry at the Razi.The questionnaire was divided into three sections.The first section: contained items regarding patient and caregiver-related information.The second section: caregivers were asked questions about their experience of violence perpetration and victimization involving their relative with schizophrenia in the past 12 months.Beyond frequency, caregivers were also asked to specify, the causes of the violence perpetrated and suffered.The third section contained two measures: The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the abridged version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), assessing psychological distress and caregiving burden, respectively.ResultsFinally 110 caregivers were included ,the majority of caregivers were females (63.6%) and consisted of patients’ parents (50.9%). Verbal violence was the most reported type of violence victimization (35.5%). In addition, 54.5% of caregivers disclosed having perpetrated verbal violence at least once against their ill relative.Bivariate analysis showed that lower caregivers’ educational level (p=.017), unemployment (p<.001), other person in charge (p=.027), burden levels (p<.001), depression (p<.001), anxiety (p<.001) and stress (p<.001) symptoms are positively associated with violence victimization occurrence. while being male caregiver (p=.007), having other person in charge (p<.001) and higher levels of depression (p<.001), anxiety (p<.001), and stress (p<.001) were associated with more violence perpetration.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that violence victimization and perpetration in schizophrenia are not uncommon.Appropriate procedures for minimizing it should be considered.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
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