Objective: To study the perceived level of stigma in patients with schizophrenia and caregivers. 

Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional study. The researchers collected all data of patients with schizophrenia and caregivers in the psychiatric out-patient unit in Songklanagarind Hospital from May 2015 to March 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Demographics and level of perception of stigma data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of a percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

Results: One hundred seventy-one patients with schizophrenia participated. Eighty-nine patients were female (52.0%); the average age was 42.3 years [standard deviation (S.D.)=13.4]; duration of illness was 15 years (S.D.=11.4). Most patients were Buddhist (84.2%), unemployed (38.0%), paranoid type (68.4%). One hundred seventy-one caregivers participated. The average age was 51.2 years (S.D.=13.4). Most caregivers were female (71.9%), Buddhist (86.0%), a parent of patient (40.4%). Average duration of care was 12.7 years (S.D.=9.3). The study found that the patients perceived a low level of stigma (62.0%). Only 1.8% of patients perceived a high level of stigma. The caregivers also perceived a low level of stigma (62.0%). Only 0.6% of caregivers perceived a high level of stigma.
Conclusion: Most patients with schizophrenia and caregivers perceived a low level of stigma.