The design and process of a family and community-based intervention for relapse prevention in people living with schizophrenia in Iran

Background: People living with schizophrenia (PLS) suffer frequent relapse accompanied by emergency room visits, premature mortality, lower quality of life and a substantial social and economic burden on families and health systems. There is a dearth of community-based relapse prevention interventions (RPIs) in Iran. Aims: To determine an ideal model for a community-based RPIs for PLS. Methods: A qualitative study with 27 experts in Iran was carried out to understand the ideal RPIs for PLS and the key components of such interventions. Results: In 16 semi-structured interviews and 8 group-discussions, the participants identified six major stages of family and community-based RPIs including preparation, social mobilization, local team formation, design an RPI, implementing the RPI, participatory monitoring, and evaluation of the RPI. Conclusions: Given the suboptimal healthcare systems and lack of professionals and services, PLS in Iran may benefit from family and community-based RPIs. Our findings warrant pilot testing of such initiatives across developing communities like Iran to improve health outcomes of PLS.