Knowledge and drug attitude towards neuroleptics among out-patients with schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and drug attitude towards neuroleptics among out-patients with schizophrenia. The sample included 50 schizophrenic patients attending the out-patient clinics in the Institute of Psychiatry. Ain Shams University. Three instruments were used for data collection. A structured face to face questionnaire, medication questionnaire and Drug Attitude Inventory [DAI]. Results of the study revealed that almost all the studied schizophrenic patients knew the color and routes of drugs, while almost half of them knew their name and therapeutic effects. Otherwise three fourths of the studied patients didn't know the reasons for taking these drugs. The majority of studied patients agreed with the positive attitudes concerned with feeling normal on medication and that by staying on medication they can prevent getting sick. However, the percentages of patients' agreement and disagreement regarding to taking medication on own free choice and taking medication only when being sick as negative attitudes are equal. Meanwhile, almost three fourths of the studied patients disagreed with medication makes them more tired and sluggish. Results showed also that there were highly statistically significant relations between the studied patients' knowledge related to name, dose, frequency, therapeutic effects of the drugs and their educational level. As well, there were statistically significant relations between patients' educational level and most of their positive and negative drug attitudes. In addition to there were statistically significant relations between some of the patients' knowledge and most of their positive and negative drug attitudes toward neuroleptic medications. In the light of the study results it is recommended that a special attention should be paid to schizophrenic patients while designing and implementing psycho-educational programmes to improve their overall knowledge and medical attitudes toward their medications

Life event stressors and behavior problems in school-age children

School-age children experience stress much the same as adults do; both common, everyday stress and also atypical, larger-scale stress. Recently, the relationship between life event stressors and outcome of behavioral problems in children has received dramatically increased attention both medically and socially. This study examined the impact of life event stressors on the behavior of school-age children in a random sample of 250 school -age children [124 girls and 126 boys], who were 11-16 years old. One educational district was selected randomly from the educational districts in Tanta city. Three different tools were used for data collection which includes a demographic data sheet, life events scale, and behavioral problems assessment sheet for these school-age children. The results of the study revealed that there were highly statistical associations between intensity of life event stressors among the studied preparatory school- age children and their personal and socio-demographic characteristics and also their entire behavioral problems. The implications of these findings suggest that a program for parents, school nurses, and social workers is needed to help them to know how to deal with their children learning and behavioral concerns and how to establish an effective parent-child as well teacher-child attachments will help also in dealing with children mental health issues