Author:
Matete Relebohile Paulus,Rathobei Libuseng Moureen
Abstract
Factors that impede the physical health monitoring of patients with severe mental illness are multidimensional, and healthcare providers’ knowledge and expertise regarding antipsychotic medication and side effects remain key determinants of the frequency and quality of screening a patient shall be subjected to. This challenge transcends the monitoring of patients treated with antipsychotics, where scholars have determined a lack of knowledge about screening for adverse effects, resulting in poor clinical assessments among patients prescribed antipsychotics. This study aimed to describe nurses’ knowledge regarding antipsychotic medications and their side effects at the psychiatric hospital in Lesotho. To guide the research process, a quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive approach was employed with 40 nurses out of 44 nurses as respondents, who were selected using convenience sampling, and respondents rated their knowledge regarding the side effects of antipsychotic medication using a Likert scale on a structured research questionnaire. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, analysed using SPSS (version 28), and displayed using tables, frequencies, standard deviations, and means. This study's female respondents comprised 30 (75.0%) and 10 (25.0%) males. The mean age was 39.05 (SD 8.9), with eight years of psychiatry experience. A total of 29 (72.0%) had sufficient antipsychotic knowledge (t = 36.38, df = 39, p < .000), 31 (78.3%) and had adequate knowledge of the side effects of antipsychotic drugs (t = 34.00375, df = 39, p < .000). In conclusion, this study reveals a positive trend in nursing knowledge about antipsychotic medications and associated side effects, highlighting the importance of ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance this expertise.
Reference31 articles.
1. Abdulhaq, B., Dardas, L.A. and Sami, O. (2021). Monitoring for the metabolic side effects of second‐generation antipsychotic medications: Psychiatrists’ views and practices. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57(3), 1237–1243. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12679
2. Ali, R.A., Jalal, Z. and Paudyal, V. (2020). Barriers to monitoring and management of cardiovascular and metabolic health of patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02990-6
3. Al-Salhee, A.M.S. and Al-Ameri, M.H.I. (2019). Impact of education program regarding antipsychotics-related side effects upon knowledge of nurses working in psychiatric teaching hospitals of Baghdad City. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 13(1), 281. https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-9130.2019.00056.2
4. Appleby, N.J., Temple-Smith, M.J., Stacey, M.A., Bailey, D.L., Deveny, E.M. and Pirotta, M. (2016). General practitioners’ knowledge and management of dry mouth — A qualitative study. Australian Family Physician, 45(12), 902–906.
5. Australian Medicine Handbook. (2015). Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd.