Prevalence, factors and reasons associated with missed first appointments among out-patients with schizophrenia at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City

BackgroundNon-attendance to clinic appointments is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. There is a dearth of information about missed first clinic appointments among patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria.AimsTo determine the prevalence, correlates and reasons for missed first appointment among out-patients with schizophrenia at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.MethodA cross-sectional descriptive study among 275 out-patients with schizophrenia, using the Mini International Neuro-Psychiatric Interview and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.ResultsThe prevalence of missed first appointment was 31%. Higher BPRS score was associated with missing the appointment. The main reasons for missed appointments were: forgetting the appointment date and patient's refusal to come to the clinic.ConclusionsMissed first out-patient clinic appointment is common among patients with schizophrenia at the study site, forgetting appointment dates being a common reason. Among other recommendations, methods of reminding patients and caregivers of appointment dates at the study location may need to be explored.Declaration of interestNone.