KNOWLEDGE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYNDROMES OF NEUROLEPTIC DRUGS AMONG NURSES IN NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OF ANAMBRA AND ENUGU STATES

Abstract

Background: Many patients on antipsychotic medication have reported experiencing Extrapyramidal Syndrome (EPS). Due to high rate of EPS developed in patients, antipsychotic medication guideline and rating scale were developed for the management of EPS while caring for patients on antipsychotic drugs.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and management of Extrapyramidal syndrome of Neuroleptic Drugs among Nurses in Neuropsychiatric Hospitals of Anambra and Enugu State.

Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 221 Nurses from Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Anambra State and Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu state. Data was collected using questionnaire adopted from a similar study. The data was summarized frequencies, percentages and Chi-square with level of significance set at < 0.05.

Results: More than half of the nurses in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu 164 (83.25%) had good knowledge of EPS, while 14 (66.67%) of Nurses in Neuropsychiatric Hospital Anambra State also had good knowledge of EPS and its management. While 197 (100%) and 21 (100%) in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu and Neuropsychiatric Hospital Nawfia Anambra respectively agreed that their hospitals had no policy/guideline for EPS management. There was a significant association between years of working as a registered nurse (p=<0.001), current grade level (p=0.001) and knowledge of EPS among nurses.

Conclusion: Most of the participants had good knowledge of Extrapyramidal Syndrome; none of them used American Association guideline and rating scale in management of EPS.

Recommendation: As EPS continues to pose problem to psychiatric patients, nurses who are the ones administrating these medications need to adopt the standard guidelines stated for management of EPS to ensure its reduction.