Effects Of Educational Intervention On Caregivers’ Knowledge, In Providing Care To People With Mental Illness – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Mental illness poses a significant public health challenge worldwide, with an estimated 970 million individuals affected and a particularly high burden in Nigeria. Family caregivers are essential in supporting individuals with mental disorders, yet their effectiveness is often undermined by stigma, misinformation, and limited access to mental health education.

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a structured educational intervention on caregivers’ knowledge of mental illness at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Methods: A randomized controlled pretest-posttest experimental design was employed, involving 92 caregivers of individuals with mental illness. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which received a six-week educational program, or a control group. The intervention covered understanding mental illness, recognizing clinical manifestations, and accessing community resources. Knowledge was assessed using a validated 39-item scale before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent and paired samples t-tests at α = 0.05.

Results: Of the 92 caregivers enrolled, 46 participated in each group. At baseline, both groups demonstrated moderate knowledge of mental illness, with higher pre-intervention scores in the intervention group (78.3% good knowledge) compared to the control group (67.4%). Post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited a significant increase in overall knowledge (97.8% good knowledge; mean score 78.99±11.26), surpassing the control group (63.0% good knowledge; mean score 54.74±15.36). The intervention group showed marked improvements in recognizing causes, symptoms, types, and treatments of mental illness. Statistical analysis confirmed significant within-group and between-group differences post-intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: A structured educational intervention significantly enhances caregivers’ knowledge of mental illness, equipping them to provide better support and potentially reducing stigma. Integrating caregiver education into mental health care protocols may improve outcomes for individuals living with mental health conditions in Nigeria and similar settings.