[Restraint variables in a regional mental health hospital in Turkey]

To obtain a database to be used in the effort to reduce the use of restraint in mental health hospitals in Turkey, and to compare the data with results of similar studies.

The sociodemographic characteristics, history of violent or suicidal behavior, and BPRS scores of patients restrained during a 1-month period, and data concerning the number of beds and staff working during day and night shifts were collected. The restraint variables, number of restraints used and duration of restraint use, in all wards were determined and adult psychosis wards were compared according to these variables.

Approximately 25% (194) of 810 hospitalized patients were restrained for a total of 1524.25 h (mean: 3.25 h) during 1 month. In all, 182 restrained patients were analyzed and most were male, elementary school graduates, never married, and living with first-degree relatives. There were no correlations between these variables, and the number of restraints used and the duration of their use. Mean age of the females (36.27 years) was higher than that of the males (32.46 years); the difference was significant. In all, 66.6% of restraint use was because of violent behavior or the probability of violent behavior. The rate of restraint use was lower during day shifts (43.82%). Patients on adult wards were not different in terms of diagnosis, BPRS score, rate of violent behavior, and reasons for using restraint, but were markedly different in terms of the number of restraints used and the duration of restraint.

The number of restraints used and the duration of restraint was on average level. Restraint was associated with being female and older, and having more severe symptoms. Night and weekend shifts were more risky for amount and duration of restraint. Non-clinical institutional factors were a determining factor in the use of restraint.