People with mental illness cannot access treatment in primary or general health care settings in Rivers State, Nigeria, and need to attend a centralized Public Psychiatric Hospital, at which all mental health care is provided. Many persons with mental illness remain at home due to the lack of adequate facilities to accommodate them, with only those who are severely affected being admitted. For those not admitted, out-patient clinics enable them access to health professionals and treatment services. This is also where discharged patients are monitored during their follow-up routine clinic appointments and for medication re-fill. This institutional model of mental health care has resulted in family members having considerable responsibility in caring for their ill relatives without the necessary knowledge, skills and support to do so 1, despite playing a crucial role in the care and recovery process 23.

The nuclear family members maintain and support their sick members, provide shelter, financial, emotional and spiritual support, as well as source and secure treatment 45. The ill relative is often faced with isolations, and the loss of employment and friends due to myths and prejudice surrounding mental illness 6. Evidence shows that their families social and emotional support have been found to be of considerable value and an important factor in the recovery process 78, with most mental health providers contending that educating families about mental illness is very important 3. Mental health professionals should be concerned about improving communication with and education for family caregivers to ensure appropriate quality of care.

Shinde et al 9 argued that due to inadequate knowledge and care-giving skills, family caregivers may be unfamiliar with the type of care they must provide or the amount of care needed. They need a basic level of knowledge about mental illness and how to access help for ill relatives during a crisis 10. This kind of knowledge can facilitate a partnership with health professionals to find a treatment approach that works for their relatives 11. Knowledge is a crucial building block to develop the skills necessary to manage symptoms outside the mental health facility. Relevant skills are important to help family caregivers maintain a healthy lifestyle, recognize early warning signs of relapse, and act promptly to manage stressful situations 2.

Many people with mental illness rely on family and friends for support, and to help them in their daily activities 12. Family caregivers need to know the expected outcomes of the disorder, as well as challenges that may arise during transition from hospital to the home environment. Studies have shown that including families in the planning and care of ill relatives has a strong influence on mental health, even brief family involvement were reported to improve health and recovery, reduce the risk of a relapse, and increase family wellbeing 1314. A study 15 reported that unawareness of illness among caregivers was associated with lower use of coping strategies and frequent resignation. Mental health professionals can help families become collaborative agents in the treatment process to achieve positive treatment outcomes 16. Evidence show the more information family caregivers have, the better they can put the illness in perspective 210. This study is therefore aimed at exploring family caregivers’ knowledge about mental illness and treatment of their ill relatives, and to suggest self-management program to support and enhance the care giving process.

A descriptive study carried out in a State owned mental health facility that provides both in-patients and out-patients services. The target population for the study consists of family caregivers of ill relatives, who had been admitted and then discharged but are currently attending the out-patient clinic for their routine check-up and medication re-fill at the time of this study. The study lasted for 6 consecutive weeks in February 2015. All family caregivers who reported to the mental health outpatients’ clinic; who gave informed consent and who were able to read and write in English were enrolled in the study. The study instrument was a semi-structured interview administered questionnaire. Information was sought on their socio demographic data, knowledge about relatives’ mental illness, and knowledge of medication regimen. The participants were informed they could withdraw at any time, and were assured of confidentiality and anonymity. The researchers distributed the questionnaires to the participants in the waiting room and retrieved them immediately on completion. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) IBM version 20. Ethical approval was obtained from the State Ministry of Health and Ethics Committee of the hospital.

Table 1 shows that, almost two third (62%) were female. Those in the age in the range between ages 34-49 (60%) accounted for majority of the participants. Majority were married (54%), with similar numbers being single, divorced and widowed. The majority (82%) were Christian and almost half (44%) were civil servant, one third (34%) were self-employed, a small percent (12%) were farmers, and (10%) were students. Regarding educational qualification, two third (66%) had primary education only, one fifth (22%) had completed secondary school, only (12%) had a tertiary education and over half (28%) were parents.

Table 2 show that only one quarter (24%) of family caregivers knew about the type of mental illness of their ill relatives, and only (16%) knew the correct name of the illness. Less than one third (30%) could recognize the signs of relapse. Almost all the participants (86%) said their ill relative will get better with treatment, but only one third (66%) were satisfied with care from professionals.

Table 3 shows that only one quarter (24%) knew the name of their relatives’ medication, and (16%) knew the correct medicine dosage/frequency. Half (46%) could recognize the side effects of the medicine, but only one third (34%) knew how to deal with medication side effects. Half (54%) knew that their relatives takes the medicine regularly as prescribed, and one quarter (28%) accessed information from sources other than the clinic, while for nearly three quarters (72%) the clinic staff were their only source of information.

Majority of the participants were female, this finding is similar to other family caregiving studies 217. Majority were married and are Christians, the reason being that the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is predominantly Christian. Only 44% had regular paid employment and majority had basic level education. The finding is similar to a study 13 that reported over 70% of their study subjects had less than a tertiary education, which was translated to low socio-economic status and a related poor knowledge of ill relatives’ disorders and treatment.

The study show poor knowledge about type of mental illness of ill relatives. The finding is similar to a study 14 in Western Maharashtra, India, and reported that most of the participants had no prior knowledge about the disorders of their relatives. Another study in North West of England 18 shows inadequate information and failure of professionals to recognize the therapeutic benefits of caregivers’ involvement in the clients’ treatment program. Another study 19 argues that family caregivers teaching about illness of relatives is one of the most empowering interventions mental health professionals especially nurses can implement. Thus, the need for caregivers knowledge and understanding of mental illness plays an important role in establishing good treatment outcomes.

The majority of study participants cannot recognize early signs of relapse. This confirms a previous study from this region that poor knowledge in managing symptoms of ill relatives contributed to the burden of family caregivers 3. The study of Iseselo et al 20, reported that including family caregivers in planning and care has a strong influence on mental health outcomes. A study 14 in the United States, reported a decrease of about 50% in relapse, as family members participated in a psycho-education program. While another study 8, confirm that family caregiver’s educational support programs enabled participants learn about the disorders and enhanced their coping strategies. Therefore, family caregivers need adequate information concerning treatment, discharge and how to manage symptoms of relapse or illness-crisis at home.

Majority of the participants reported that the illness of their relatives will improve with treatments. The finding is similar to a study in Ghana 17 that reported family caregivers’ anticipation of a cure was their main coping strategies. Another study in Nigeria 3 revealed that many family caregivers belief with treatment and support their relatives’ illness will improve. To sustain positive patients’ outcomes caregivers should have access to psycho-education and support from the treatment team.

The study shows that participants were satisfied with care rendered by mental health professionals. On the contrary, a study 21 in Malawi reported lack of effective cooperation and collaboration between caregivers and professionals. While another study 15, on barriers to family care in psychiatric settings, revealed that families identified fear of stigma, poor illness awareness, and lack of families’ involvement in the treatment plan are causes of concerns for families in collaborating with health professionals. Furthermore, another study 10, reported that families experience problems in relating to health professionals and felt ignored and excluded from care. Thus family caregivers’ involvement in care process plays a much larger role in the lives of their ill relatives.

The finding show poor information about treatment of ill relatives concerning the action, dosage and side effects of medications. This confirms a study 18 that reported poor knowledge about side effects and non-adherence of prescribed medication as a major source of frustration for families and often the single biggest cause of relapse and re-admission of patients. Another study 22 revealed the importance of educating family caregivers about side effects and impact of non-adherence to medication to prevent relapse. Furthermore, evidence have shown that family caregiver’s limited understanding about treatment impede care and a successful response to medication is an important point towards recovery 58.

Majority of the participants have poor knowledge dealing with the adverse effects of medications of ill relatives. Similarly, a study 19, reported that families are often excluded from medication management, and that caregivers do not discuss medication frequently with mental health professionals. Evidence has shown that caregivers understanding of medication management prepare them for the essential role of caring for their ill family members 2324. The understanding and management of medication side effects and non adherence will reduce the burden of care.

The study show majority of the participants’ ill relatives take the prescribed medication regularly. The finding contrasts a study in North-eastern Nigeria 13 that reported an overall prevalence of 54.2% non-adherence. Another study 25 reported poor medication adherence among people with schizophrenia, and stressed the substantial impact of non-adherence on the disease progression, complication, functional outcomes and quality of life. Providing medication information and instructions that are appropriate to family caregiver’s level of education may increase their understanding of the importance of adhering to treatment.

The finding shows caregivers only means of medication information are from professional staff at the clinic. Similarly, a study in Malaysia 2 on mental health literacy among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, show caregivers rely only on nurses and doctors as their primary sources of information during consultation regarding mental health concerns of ill relatives. Therefore, education of caregivers about treatment is an important way of engaging families in the care.

This study explored the knowledge of family caregivers about mental illness and treatment of their ill relatives. Mental health disorders strike without regard to age, gender, race, education, socio-economic and cultural boundaries. Poor knowledge and lack of access to information about illness of their relatives complicates the care giving process, and impedes their wellbeing. Mental health professionals should provide necessary information in a clear and understandable manner and explore the use of native languages when necessary. Education on medication adherence strategies should be tailored towards each family caregiver’s understanding and level of education. Information about the disease, role of medication in controlling symptoms of the disorder, side effects of medication, types of treatments, and support strategy should be provided. This type of information can relieve family caregivers’ distress arising from uncertainties about their relatives’ illness, and treatment.

The study was limited to only family caregivers with at least a primary school education, and attending the out-patient psychiatric facility with their ill relatives for routine check-up. Future studies are suggested across multiple regions with caregivers of ill relatives attending to their follow-up care. The small sample size was due to low flow of patients and this may not provide a strong basis to make generalizations from the findings of this study. However, it provides a premise for a more comprehensive study in a larger facility.

Author 1 was responsible for the study conception, literature review, questionnaire development, data collection, analysis and drafting of the manuscript, final revision and submission and Author 2 provided conception, literature review, questionnaire development, data collection, literature review, data analysis and editing.