A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Frequency of Restraint, and Knowledge and Attitudes of the Caregivers of Patients Toward Restraint in a General Hospital Psychiatry Setting from South India.

Background: There is limited Indian data on the epidemiology of hospital-based restraint practices and the knowledge and attitude of caregivers toward restraint. Therefore, this study aimed to report the frequency and pattern of restraints in a general hospital psychiatry setting and assess the knowledge and attitude about restraint practices among caregivers of patients.

Methods: We calculated the frequency of restraints (physical and chemical) over one year. The knowledge and attitude toward restraint were assessed in 75 caregivers each of patients from inpatient and outpatient settings, using a questionnaire designed by the authors and pretested in a pilot study.

Results: The frequency of any form of restraint was 19%. The frequency of chemical and physical restraints was 19% and 0.5%, respectively. Less than 20% of caregivers in both groups reported that restraint was either stigmatizing (5.33% inpatient caregivers vs. 12% outpatient caregivers), cruel (8% inpatient caregivers vs. 15.33% outpatient caregivers), or a measure of punishment (9% inpatient caregivers vs. 16% outpatient caregivers). No significant difference was found between knowledge and attitude about restraint between caregivers of outpatients and inpatients, except for a significantly greater number of caregivers of outpatients reporting that the restraint practices in the hospital were similar to those adopted by faith healers or religious/spiritual centers.

Conclusion: The frequency of either physical or chemical restraint was less compared to the existing international and Indian data. In addition, most caregivers of patients of both outpatients and inpatients did not report a negative attitude toward restraints.