Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about psychotropic medication among Saudi hospitalized psychiatric patients

Abstract

This quantitative descriptive study describes the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about medication in a sample of 76 Saudi hospitalized psychiatric patients. Forty-four percent of the patients named their medication, 37% identified their side effects, and 49% knew the dosage. Chi-square results indicated that younger patients and college educated patients were significantly more knowledgeable about their medication doses and dose frequencies than older patients and less educated patients respectively. Shorter illness duration was associated with knowledge of side effects. Most patients thought they would stop their medications when they felt better and would not tell others they take psychotropic drugs. Study findings suggest the need for an active nursing role in psychoeducational interventions and further research.