Prevalence of Negative Symptoms and Associated Factors Among Patients with Schizophrenia Attending Follow-Up Treatment at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: -Negative symptoms are acore and common feature of schizophrenia, and refers to a reduction or absence of normal behaviors and/or experiences. They are responsible for a significant portion of patients' long-term disability, poor functionality and a profound impact on a person's ability to function in daily life. To the best of our knowledge there is no study done in Ethiopia despite the existing burden of illness globally so, this study is aimed to fill the gap in this area. Objective: - To assess the prevalence and associated factors of negative symptoms among patients with schizophrenia attending follow-up treatment at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: - An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 patients selected by Systematic random sampling method from August 1 to September 30, 2023. Interviewer-administered questionnaireswere used to collect data. We used the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) for outcome variable. Cutoff score was determined by the presence of at least one of global items of SANS with a score of 3 and above. Data was collected by using Kobo toolbox and exported to SPSS Version 26 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered asstatistically significantassociation. An adjusted odds ratio with 95 % CI was used to determine the strength of association. Results: - The overall prevalence of negative symptoms was 59.5% (n=250, 95% CI: 55.0-64.0). A majority 271(64.5%) of study participants were male and a mean age of study participants was 34.52 ± 9.43 years. Being male (AOR=2.16, 95% CI=1.39-3.35), early age at onset of illness (AOR=3.36, 95% CI=1.15-9.83), long duration of illness(AOR=1.82, 95% CI=1.15-2.89),longer duration of untreated psychosis (AOR=2.03, 95% CI=1.32-3.12), using typical antipsychotics (AOR=1.79, 95% CI=1.14-2.80) and medication nonadherence (AOR=1.67, 95% CI=1.09-2.58) were significantly associated with negative symptoms. Conclusion: -More than half of patients with schizophrenia have negative symptoms. Being male, early age at onset of illness, long duration of illness, longer duration of untreated psychosis, using typical antipsychotics and medication nonadherence were significantly associated with negative symptoms. In order to decrease the impact of factors associated with negative symptoms an effort by Ministry of health, JUMC, and researchers are needed to be involved.