Patients’ Perspectives on Seclusion and Restraint Experience at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2024-05
Authors
Mwangi, Mary Wanjiru
Kabue, Priscilla
Masika, J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EdinBurg
Abstract
Mental health research across the world has elicited various perspectives regarding the
experiences of seclusion and restraint of mentally unwell, aggressive patients. Despite the need
of understanding some of the determinants of seclusion and restraint of mentally ill patients,
there has been limited publications particularly in the Kenyan context addressing the
experiences of seclusion and restraint on social demographic characteristics of a mentally ill
patient, patient, and Institutional factors leading to seclusion and restraint as well as exploring
the experiences of the mentally ill patients undergoing seclusion and restraint at Mathari
National Teaching and Referral Hospital. The present study therefore aimed to explore
patients’ experiences with seclusion and restraint at MNTRH. A phenomenological research
approach was adopted and qualitative data was gathered using an interview guide. The study
targeted all the patients who had been nursed in seclusion and restraint during admission to
(MNTRH) Nairobi City, Kenya. The results revealed that the seclusion procedure at MNTRH
was not patient-friendly as they were forced to do it and not provided with the basic needs apart
from medication. The interviewees also described two main themes relating to experiences of
patients undergoing seclusion and restraint at MNTRH including desirable views of seclusion
and restraints and undesirable views on seclusion and restraints experiences. The desirable
view on seclusion experiences included that seclusion and restraint provided relief and a less
stimulating environment in which they felt safe and secure. Patients were grateful for the
constant support and supervision of healthcare providers. However, the undesirable
experiences as mentioned by the respondents were that during seclusion and restraint, they
experienced abandonment, mistreatment, and neglect. The study concludes that seclusion and
restraint is a crucial but contentious treatment that should only be used as a last resort, and steps
should be taken to guarantee that patients’ dignity is preserved throughout the seclusion and
restraint procedure, as guided by the Mental Health Act 2016. The study recommends that
MTRH have the seclusion sessions customized to each patient’s unique cognitive ability and
mental condition.
Description
Article
Keywords
Patients’ Perspectives, Seclusion, Restraint, Experience
Citation
Mwangi, M. W. ., Kabue, P. ., & Masika, J. . (2024). Patients’ Perspectives on Seclusion and Restraint Experience at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital Nairobi City County, Kenya. Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, 4(2), 13–29. Retrieved from https://edinburgjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-medicine-nursing/article/view/270