Pathways to care and supernatural beliefs among patients with psychotic disorders in Nepal

Abstract

Abstract Background Longer pathways to care worsen the course of psychotic illness as well. The study aimed to assess the pathways to care, supernatural beliefs, and impact on the duration of untreated psychosis in patients with schizophrenia. It was a cross-sectional, observational study that involved 133 patients and their caregivers. Supernatural Attitude Questionnaire and World Health Organization Encounter form for Pathways to care were used to evaluate the pathways to care, supernatural beliefs in caregivers, and duration of untreated psychosis. SPSS descriptive and non-parametric tests were used for analysis. Results Overall, 59.4% of the participants had a non-medical person as the first treatment contact. Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) for the whole study sample was 6.04 (SD 15.14) months and when it was compared among the first contact with a medical person (mean 4.43; SD 14.39) and non-medical person (mean 7.15; SD 15.63), the later had significantly longer (Mann-Whitney U = 1278; p < 0.001) DUP. More than half of the patients had one or more supernatural beliefs. Having supernatural beliefs and carryout rituals related to these beliefs is associated with a higher number of visits to different professionals before reaching a psychiatrist. Conclusions Patients with psychosis and their caregivers seek first help from non-medical persons, especially faith healers. This is associated with a longer duration of untreated psychosis and supernatural beliefs in caregivers. Thus, there is a need to improve mental health literacy and have public awareness programs to address the belief systems and clarify the prevailing myths in society.