Effectiveness of Psychoeducation on Medication Adherence Among Outpatients with Schizophrenia at Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos

Medication non-adherence is a critical challenge in the long-term management of schizophrenia, contributing to relapse, hospitalization, and functional decline. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducation intervention on medication adherence among schizophrenia outpatients at the Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A randomized controlled trial design will be employed, with 100 outpatients randomly allocated to either a six-week group psychoeducation program or standard care. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10) will measure adherence and attitudes toward medication at baseline, post-intervention, and at 12-week follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical variables including diagnosis duration, caregiver involvement, and insight scores will be documented. Mixed-effects linear models will assess intervention effects over time. Nigerian studies consistently demonstrate that psychoeducation improves adherence, yet its delivery in public psychiatric facilities remains sporadic and under-resourced. Findings will contribute evidence for formalizing psychoeducation protocols within the outpatient schizophrenia program at Yaba Psychiatric Hospital. Keywords: psychoeducation, schizophrenia, medication adherence, Yaba Lagos, randomized controlled trial