A cross-sectional mixed methods protocol to describe correlates and explanations for a long duration of untreated psychosis among patients with first episode psychosis in Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Among patients with psychotic disorders, the 'duration of untreated psychosis' (DUP) is a predictor of key outcomes such as symptom remission and quality of life. In sub-Saharan Africa, DUP is up to five times longer than in high-income countries, with many patients going without antipsychotic medication for 5 years or longer. One contributor to this high DUP may relate to cultural norms that drive use of alternative and complementary therapies (ACTs) as first-line treatment strategies, rather than biomedical care with antipsychotic medicine. We aim to¹ determine the prevalence and factors associated with DUP and ACT use in Uganda, and² Identify factors that drive patient and family choices to use ACT as a first-line treatment strategy.

Methods

SUBMITTER: Mwesiga EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6661643 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature