A structured analysis of the predictictive factors in patients undergoing psychiatric treatment in a tertary CARE centre

Abstract

Aggression is one of the most important factors for inpatient care in psychiatry The existing studies have shown that aggression has a negative corollary on patients, caregivers and medical personnel as well as the management. Most of the studies done earlier have looked at aggression and violence primarily in a western setting. A very few studies have been reported from Asia in particular, India. newlineThis study was done to find the prevalence, patterns and correlates of aggression among psychiatry inpatients in a general hospital setting. In addition the study also focused on the role played by the caregivers on the ward. newlineThis is a descriptive cross sectional study of consecutive admissions during the study period. A semi structured pro forma to study the demographics and scales such as M.O.A.S, M.I.N.I, SCID II were used to assess the clinical correlates. Appropriate statistical tool was used to see the association between aggressive behavior and other correlates which showed the following results newline116 patients were recruited for the study, of who 46 exhibited aggressive behavior. Various diagnosis associated with aggression were found to be psychotic disorders psychosis (45.6%) alcohol dependence (34.8%) and affective disorders (19.6%). Among the variables studied domestic violence was significant to aggression. newlineThe role played by the caregivers in managing aggression on the ward is quiet unique to our country. Our study highlighted the need for developing training programmes in addition to psycho education in the management of aggression in the ward. newline