Needs of Indian schizophrenia patients: an exploratory study from India

Background Although there are many studies from the West, no study has evaluated the needs of schizophrenia patients in Indian setting. Methodology 100 consecutive patients of schizophrenia were assessed on Camberwell Assessment of Needs questionnaire. Same questionnaire was also administered to the caregiver to assess their perception about the needs of the patients. Results Patients and their caregivers reported 8.12 and 7.13 needs, respectively, more than two-third of which were unmet. The most commonly reported needs by both patients and their caregivers were need for welfare benefits. Besides the welfare benefits, the four most common areas in which patients had needs and required help were— psychotic symptoms, psychological distress, information about the condition and money, whereas four most commonly reported area of needs reported by the caregivers were psychological distress, money, company and intimate relationships. Help provided by the government or nongovernmental organizations was negligible. Conclusions Most of needs of schizophrenia patients are unmet.