Magnitude and associated factors of disability in patients with schizophrenia attending Gondar, Felegehiwot and Debretabor hospitals Amhara North West Ethiopia 2019: Institutional based cross-sectional study.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and disabling mental illness that places significant burden not only on the individuals, but also on their families and society. As per our knowledge there is no study conducted on prevalence and associated factors of disability in schizophrenic patients in Ethiopia. Their fore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of disability in patients with schizophrenia attending Gondar, Felegehiwot and Debretabor hospital, North West Ethiopia 2019Methods An Institutional -based cross-sectional study was conducted among schizophrenic patients attending Gondar, Felegehiwot and Debretabor hospitals Amhara Ethiopia. A total of 420 participants were included in the study. Data were collected by face to face interview using systematic random sampling method. Disability was measured using World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale 2.0. Coded variables were entered into Epi data V.4.4.2 and exported to SPSS V.24 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions with OR and 95% CI were employed. The level of significance of association was determined at p-value < 0.05.Result A total of 420 participants were interviewed, with a response rate of 99.3%. The magnitude of disability in this study was 41.7% (95%CI: 36.9, 46.4). Current use of alcohol (AOR = 2.47, 95CI;1.36,4.48), being jobless(AOR = 3.27, 95CI; 1.80, 5.93)., had negative symptoms (AOR = 13.05,95CI,7.58,22.45), had 5 and more years of illness(AOR = 2.75,95CI;1.29,5.86) and had 5 and more years of untreated psychosis (AOR = 3.78,95CI, 1.85,7.75) were predictors of disability.Conclusion and recommendation: The magnitude of disability in this study was high. Avoidance of alcohol usage, early initiation of treatment, creating job opportunity and giving special emphasis for patients having negative symptoms is recommended.