Prevalence of Aggressive Behavior and Associated Factors among Patients with Schizophrenia Attending at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Mental illness and aggression are often seen as inextricably linked, creating a harsh stigma for patients and, at times, an uncomfortable environment for mental health professionals. There is a growing body of evidence on aggressive behavior towards others by people with schizophrenia. Thus, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of aggressive behavior and associated factors among schizophrenia patients attending at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed among 403 patients with
schizophrenia attending at outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital from May 1 to 31 2017. In choosing study participants, a systematic random sampling technique was used. Aggressive behavior was assessed by using Modified Overt Aggression Scale. The coded data was checked, cleaned and entered into EPIINFO version 3.5.3 and then exported into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Besides, binary logistic regression was used to see association of factors observed in selected patients. First bivariate analysis was done to identify
variables eligible for multivariable binary logistic regression. Then, the independent predictor factors were identified by multivariable logistic regression model. Later on, adjusted odd ratio was calculated at 95% CI and was used as measure of association. Finally, significance was declared at p-value of<0.05.The prevalence of aggression in this study was 107 (26.55%). Of this 81(75.7%) and 26(24.3%) were male and female, respectively. The commonest associated factors for aggressive behavior include male [AOR=2.61, 95%CI (1.21, 5.61)],unemployment[AOR=8.03, 95%CI (3.08, 25.95)],previous history of aggression[AOR=6.22, 95%CI (2.75, 14.10)], Psychotic symptoms[AOR=8.12, (3.11, 21.14)], poor social support[AOR=3.11, 95%CI (1.35, 7.17)] and alcohol use [AOR=2.40, 95%CI (1.02, 5.66)].The prevalence of aggression behavior was found to be slightly high. Occupation, diagnosis episode of schizophrenia, previous history of aggression, types of drug taken, psychotic symptom, social support and alcohol use were found to be significantly associated with aggressive behavior. Clinicians should consider early detection & management of aggression as top professional priority in this respect.

Keywords: Aggression behavior, associated factors, Addis Ababa, Schizophrenia