Abstract

This study examines the attitudes of nurses towards relapse prevention among psychiatric patients in Buea Regional Hospital. Relapse prevention is vital in psychiatric care, aiming to reduce the frequency and severity of recurrent mental health episodes and thereby improve patient outcomes. The research explores how nurses perceive and approach relapse prevention, considering factors such as their knowledge of psychiatric conditions, the training they have received in relapse prevention strategies, and the practical challenges they encounter in their work. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with nurses working in the psychiatric unit of Buea Regional Hospital.

The findings reveal that while nurses generally acknowledge the significance of relapse prevention, their attitudes are influenced by various factors, including the adequacy of their training, workload pressures, and the availability of necessary resources. Many nurses expressed a need for more specialized training in psychiatric care and relapse prevention techniques. Additionally, the study highlights that high patient-to-nurse ratios, limited resources, and lack of support from the broader healthcare system contribute to a less proactive stance on relapse prevention. Some nurses reported feeling overwhelmed and underprepared to handle the complexities of psychiatric care, which can lead to inconsistent application of relapse prevention strategies.

The study concludes that improving nurses’ attitudes and effectiveness in relapse prevention requires addressing these underlying challenges. Recommendations include enhancing the training programs for nurses in psychiatric care, ensuring adequate staffing levels, and providing the necessary resources to support relapse prevention efforts. By implementing these measures, hospitals can empower nurses to play a more active role in preventing relapses among psychiatric patients, ultimately leading to better mental health outcomes and reduced rates of readmission.

Keywords: Relapse prevention, psychiatric patients, nurses’ attitudes, Buea Regional Hospital, mental health care, psychiatric nursing, healthcare resources.