The aim is to provide a comprehensive assessment regarding the service provision and the accessibility to intensive mental health care in Rwanda
The aim is to provide a comprehensive assessment regarding the service provision and the accessibility to intensive mental health care in Rwanda for patients with bipolar disorder. Knowing about the barriers to treatment, risk and protective factors as well as the current treatment offered for patients with bipolar disorder is essential for the development of therapeutic approaches and improvement in access to care. Up to now, no data on characteristics of patients with bipolar disorder in Rwanda and related risk and protective factors is available. For this purpose, all outpatients with bipolar disorder in Rwanda age \> 18 years, will over a 1-year period be invited to participate in a survey on their experience living with bipolar disorder in Rwanda. Moreover, patients and relatives will be invited for in-depth interviews to explore their perceptions and experiences with the mental health system. Health care providers will meet for focus discussions on to assess the experience, knowledge and practice of caregiving for individuals with bipolar disorder.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
400
A questionnaire will be delivered by the health care providers at Ndera Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda or CHUK, Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda. The questions will explore the patient's clinical characteristics, the current treatment and their experience with the mental health care system.
Diagnoses
Psychiatric diagnoses including both primary diagnosis, secondary diagnosis and somatic comorbidity.
Time frame: 1 year
Diagnostic delay
Age of individual at onset of symptoms and age when diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Time frame: 1 year
Number of previous psychiatric hospitalisations
Numerical value of the previous psychiatric hospitalisations.
Time frame: 1 year
Number of previous crises
Numerical value of the previous crises defined as an episode of depression or mania or hypomania.
Time frame: 1 year
Types of medical treatment provided
What type of medical treatment is provided, including brand name, administration and dosage.
Time frame: 1 year
Medical Adherence
Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) will be used to assess beliefs and barriers to medication adherence. Total scores on the MARS may range between 0 and 10, with a higher score indicating better medication adherence.
Time frame: 1 year
The referral pathways
Who initiated the first contact, who did you seek for help, what kind of help was provided, percent of patients who came in contact with traditional leaders.
Time frame: 1 year
Degree of internal stigma
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory - 9-item Version (ISMI-9) will be used to assess self-stigma. The resulting score should range from 1 to 4. A score ranging between 1.00-2.50: does not report high internalized stigma vs. a score ranging between 2.51-4.00: indicating high internalized stigma.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 1 year