The Burden of Schizophrenia on the Family

Rural families of schizophrenics were shown to be more prone to minor psychiatric morbidity than urban families and policies should be instigated to reduce such burden.

Abstract

The burden of schizophrenia on rural and urban Nigerian families was studied using a standardised questionnaire. Rural families experienced more burden; however, the difference was significant only in respect of financial burden. Rural families of schizophrenics were shown to be more prone to minor psychiatric morbidity than urban families. Policies should be instigated to reduce such burden.