Social and Professional Functioning of a Schizophrenia Patients Sample in Tunisia

Introduction Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that can lead to poor social and professional performances. Objectives and Aims To assess the study's subjects' social and professional functioning and compare the results to those reported in the literature in order to have an idea about the efficiency of the rehabilitation methods available to the patients affected by schizophrenia in Tunisia. Methods We have evaluated the social and the professional functioning of 30 patients (20 females and males) whom have been seen in the aftercare unit between February and June 2014 using indirect indicators(marital status and employment) and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Results The mean age of patients was 37.5 years. The majority of the subjects were single (80%). Three patients divorced after their first hospitalization. The majority of the patients (86%) were employed before they have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Two thirds of these subjects lost their jobs after the first hospitalization and were still unemployed when the study has been conducted. The average SOFAS score is 46 which is indicates the existence of a significant impairment in the social or the professional functioning. Conclusions Measures of rehabilitation are still insufficient. This could be explained by several factors which are related to the patients, their families, the society and the healthcare system.