Depression, medication adherence and quality of life for patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria

الملخص EN

Objective: The current study assessed the influence of depression and medication adherence on the quality of life of people living with schizophrenia who attended the Federal Medical Center in Lokoja, Nigeria.

Method: From 832 registered patients in the hospital, 287 were selected using a convenience sampling technique whereby potential respondents were approached individually on their clinic days.

Three standardized psychological instruments were used: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), Calgary Depression Scale (CDSS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Scale (WHOQOL-BREF).

Results: Data were analysed using simple linear regression.

Results showed that 65.5% of participants had a moderate quality of life; 12.4% reported having a low quality of life; and, 21% reported having a high quality of life.

Results also showed that depression had a significant influence on the quality of life of people living with schizophrenia (R²=0.66, F(1,285)=560.5, p<.05).

Medication adherence had a significant influence on the quality of life of people living with schizophrenia (R²=0.66, F(1,285)=560.5, p<.05).

Conclusion: Depression and medication adherence can have a direct influence on the quality of life and well-being of people living with schizophrenia, which is an important consideration when supporting patients to be compliant with their prescribed treatment regime.