Assessment of Needs: Differences between male and female patients with schizophrenia needs in psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad city

Abstract

Background: Gender differences are one of the most important and crucial subjects in evaluating the nursing care as well as mental health care system for psychiatric patients especially patients with schizophrenia. Aims: We aimed to identify differences in needs of male and female patients with schizophrenia in psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad city and its relationship with some variables. Method: A descriptive, analytical design that was carried out by using Camberwell needs assessment, short appraisal schedule, self-report version (CANSAS-P) after translating to Arabic. Results: Results indicated that there were a lot of unmet needs of male and female patients with schizophrenia, according to the entire CANSAS-P domains especially psychological symptoms. Differences were found in types of needs as the majority of men have more social needs while females was found to be more occupied with their fears and need safety. Conclusion: there were differences in types of need between male and female patients with schizophrenia; needs were affected by some variables such as educational level, first 10 days of admission and family visiting.