Attitudes Toward Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics among Schizophrenia Patients in Southern Thailand: A Multihospital-Based Cross- Sectional Survey

Objective: To identify the attitudes toward long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) among schizophrenia atthree psychiatric outpatient clinics in Southern Thailand from February to April 2021.Materials and Methods: A study was conducted at three clinics. All patients, who met criteria of having based on ICD-10 criteria, aged 20-60 years were included. The questionnaires utilized were:1) Demographic information, 2) Profile disorder, 3) Attitude, knowledge, satisfaction towards LAIs. data analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: There 259 participants completed questionnaires. From participants, 39% had a history being treated with quarter them felt LAIs made feel stigmatized (26.3%), that they lost autonomy (24.7%), embarrassed (16.6%). reasons for refusing receive not fear needles or pain injection site (49%), but rather more adverse effects than oral medications (47.9%). Half (51.8%) knew must continue use LAIs, even though their symptoms improved as played an important role by improving (68.8%), preventing relapse (51.8%). They satisfied about been involved decision making treatment (63.6%), information therisk-benefits provided (72.3%), cost (75.2%).Conclusion: Before deciding prescribe we should ensure all patients risks, benefits boosting acceptance this formulation mitigating concerns patient reduction stigmatization.