Publication

Abstract : Lithium has several less common but important metabolic adverse effects. Prevention and avoidance of risk factors are essential key to the management of lithium toxicity. Patient and the family education about early warning signs of all adverse effects and the need for immediate intervention regarding lithium therapy in clinical setting is unavoidable.AimsTo determine the level of knowledge on lithium therapy among caregivers of mentally ill patient and find out the association between knowledge level and selected demographic variables.MethodDescriptive design was adopted. Sampling technique used was convenience and 60 subjects were selected.ResultsThe study results showed that among the care givers, 55% had average knowledge, 38% had poor knowledge and only 7% had good knowledge regarding lithium therapy and there was a significant association between caregivers sex (p=0.007) and knowledge level, i.e. the females were having better knowledge than males. A significant association was found between education and knowledge (p=0.02) which revealed that those with higher education had better knowledge. An association between socio economic status (p=0.007) with knowledge regarding lithium therapy was also found. As majority of the caregivers were from middle socio economic status, the association found may be due to that.ConclusionThe study result highlights the need for patients and care givers to be given ample information about lithium prior to commencement of treatment and an energizer educational program during lithium therapy.