Let us say what we need ourselves: report of the interview of mental health service users with schizophrenia in South-West Nigeria.

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one of the, most chronic mental illnesses that subjects’ individuals who are suffering from dictatorship and control by close associates/friends, family and health professionals. The productivity of individuals who have schizophrenia is also reduced, due to the debilitating effect of the illness. In some countries, the right of such individuals is protected by laws guiding their treatment, however in the majority of the low-middle income countries (64%), Nigeria included, there are no Mental Health Acts that protect the rights of individuals in such categories. Without law or guidance, individual health professionals engage in trial and error, subjective ideas, or dictatorship. However, in a situation where recovery has been achieved, which is a function of remission of symptoms, there is a need for mental health service users to take part in their care. When a mental health service users’ voice is heard and appreciated, there is a high tendency for quick improvement, and this makes rehabilitation goals achievable. This study, therefore, describes the rehabilitation activities for individuals with schizophrenia in South-West Nigeria. A descriptive qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews were used to gather information from mental health service users at the eight clinics of the two tertiary psychiatric institutions in South-West Nigeria. Twenty-nine mental health service users were interviewed. The results of the interview were analysed independently by both researchers through a content analysis approach, using NVIVO version 11. The results of the analysis were compared, and an agreement reached on the conclusion. This study revealed that there was no uniform approach to rehabilitation of individuals with schizophrenia in South-West Nigeria, and instances of dictatorship and dependence by professional on the choice of activities were eminent. For the few who were able to make an informed decision, the mental health service users did better on what they chose to do themselves than what the family and health professionals suggested. However, when the mental health service users, did what they felt was best for them; this indicated a certain level of rehabilitation. This study, therefore, encourages the development of practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of individuals with schizophrenia in Nigeria.