ABSTRACT

 The study assessed follow-up care for discharged psychiatric patients by mental health nurses in Neuro-psychiatric hospital, Rumuigbo in Rivers State. Three objectives were set for the study. The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A sample of 124 participants which comprised of mental health nurses and discharged psychiatric patients were used for the study. Researcher developed questionnaires that were used as instruments for data collection. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analyzed using t-test and standard deviation. Tables were used for data presentation. Major findings of the study showed that the majority (89.6%) of the nurses agreed that an initial assessment for risk of aggression was conducted before follow up care was carried out. 65.5% of nurses disagreed that follow up team works in collaboration with social workers, pastors during visitation. Majority of the nurses (69.1%) disagreed that fellow up care commences one week after discharge of a patient. Majority (93.2%) of the nurses did not carry out follow up care for all the discharged patients for a minimum period of 3 months. 70% of the nurses agreed that emergency follow up care for discharged psychiatric patients was carried out. Also, 89 7% of nurses agreed that follow up care was carried out on the fixed days. Majority 89.8%) of the nurses identified shortage of manpower, lack of incentives and lack of fund for transportation as challenges faced by mental health nurses in the practice of follow up care for discharged psychiatric patients. There was no significant relationship between nurses’ age and practice of follow up care for discharged psychiatric patients (p < 0.05). There was significant relationship between the pattern of follow up care for discharged patients and perceived challenges faced by mental health nurses in their practice (p > 0.05). Practice of follow-up care for discharged psychiatric patients by mental health nurses is highly adequate as confirmed by majority of the discharged psychiatric patients. The pattern of follow-care is not adequate as confirmed by majority of the nurses. The study recommended that family members and neighbours should be adequately educated to avoid stigmatization and discrimination against the patients which hinder recovery process. Also, adequate funds should be provided for transportation to make the regular home visits possible especially for distant and remote areas.