Non-compliance with treatment in patients suffering from schizophrenia: A study to evaluate possible contributing factors

Background. Various factors have been associated with non-compliance with treatment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine this association using standardised measures. Method. Compliance was determined and socio-demographic and illness variables recorded. Insight, subjective response to medication and relatives' knowledge and attitude about schizophrenia were measured. Results. Non-compliant patients were younger, had shorter durations of illness, had an episodic course of illness, reported side-effects less frequently, made incorrect attributions to current positive symptoms more frequently and had a more negative subjective response to medication. Key relatives of non-compliant patients were more often employed. Conclusions. Patients need to experience for themselves the merits of taking medication before accepting the need to take them long-term. Psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioural interventions need to be targeted at changing attributions to current positive symptoms. The presence of a key person in the community is crucial to improve compliance.