Family Psycho-Social Involvement Intervention for Severe Mental Illness in Uganda

Overview

Journal S Afr J Psychiatr

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2024 Feb 7

PMID 38322180

Authors

Racheal Alinaitwe

Musisi Seggane

Andrew Turiho

Victoria Bird

Stefan Priebe

Nelson Sewankambo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Treatment rates for severe mental illness (SMI) are low in low- and middle-income countries because of limited resources. Enlisting family support could be effective and low cost in improving patient outcomes.

Aim: The article assess the feasibility, acceptability and estimates of efficacy of Family Psychosocial Involvement Intervention (FAPII) for patients with SMI.

Setting: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and Mityana District Hospital in Uganda.

Methods: This was a controlled pilot study with two sites randomly assigned as intervention and control. Thirty patients each with one or two family members and six mental health professionals were recruited at the intervention site. Five patients, their family members and two mental health professionals met monthly for 6 months to discuss pre-agreed mental health topics. Patient outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6- and 12-months and analysed using paired t-tests. The trial was prospectively registered (ISRCTN25146122).

Results: At 6 and 12 months, there was significant improvement in the QoL in the intervention group compared to the control ( = 0.001). There was significant symptom reduction in the intervention group at 6 and 12 months ( < 0.001). Family Psychosocial Involvement Intervention affected better treatment adherence at 6 and 12 months ( = 0.035 and < 0.001, respectively) compared to the control arm.

Conclusion: Family Psychosocial Involvement Intervention improved QoL, medication adherence, reduced stigma and symptoms among patients with SMI. The authors recommend involving families in the care of patients with SMI in Uganda, with FAPII employing culturally sensitive psychotherapy.

Contribution: The results support involvement of family in the care of patients with SMI.

Citing Articles

"I was also trying to protect myself and save my life," experiences of people living with severe mental illness and their caregivers regarding COVID-19 response in Uganda.

Nakasujja N, Alinaitwe R, Nakigudde J, Turiho A, Birabwa-Oketcho H, Musisi S Glob Ment Health (Camb). 2024; 11:e72.

PMID: 39257678 PMC: 11383974. DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.67.

Perceived feasibility, acceptability and impact of the family involvement intervention for severe mental illness: a qualitative study in Masaka - Uganda.

Turiho A, Musisi S, Alinaitwe R, Okello E, Bird V, Priebe S Int J Ment Health Syst. 2024; 18(1):23.

PMID: 38890745 PMC: 11184698. DOI: 10.1186/s13033-024-00634-w.

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