Pattern of Defaulting from a Nigerian Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic

Abstract

Background: Despite the availability of effective treatment for childhood psychiatric disorders, the successful treatment of children who access mental health services could be undermined by defaulting from treatment.
Aim: To determine the pattern of defaulting from the Child and Adolescent clinic of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
Methods: The case notes of all patients registered at the Child and Adolescent Clinic of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, within a period of one year, were ret rospect ively reviewed to determine their pattern of default from clinic appointments.
Results: A fifth of the sample missed their first clinic appointment. By the 2nd and 4th appointment, the percentage of defaulters had increased to 51.0% and 61.7% respectively. The median number of out-patient clinic attendance before defaulting was 2 (IQR 1 to 6). Patients who missed their first appointment were more likely to drop-out from treatment (p<0.001). 
Conclusion: There is a high rate of defaulting from child psychiatric clinic in this environment. This highlights the need for interventions that could facilitate the retention of children in treatment.