Parental influence on substance use among young people in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528 participants, comprising 255 fathers of children with substance use-related problems (study group) and 273 fathers of children without problems (comparison group) attending the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, were assessed, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines for students’ substance use surveys. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were similar. Locally available substances including alcohol were used more frequently than illicit substances by both groups. Possible reasons for using these substances included ready availability, unidentified personal problems, performance enhancement and unemployment. Substance use ison the increase in our environment and this may be attributable to environmental pressures and weak parental discipline.Key Words: Parental influence, children, substance use, Niger Delta regio

A Comparative Study of Pattern of Substance Use in Two Nigerian Cities Located in the Southern and Northern Nigeria

The study compared the pattern of substance use in two cities, Uyo and Kiru in the Southern and Northern Nigeria respectively, to determine the level of involvement among youths. A total of 338 male inmates, 190 from Uyo and 148 from Kano completed a modified form of 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization guidelines for students’ substance-use surveys. Data from 320 (94.7%), comprising 179 (94.2%) from Uyo and 141 (95.23%) from Kiru were analyzed; 18 ((5.3%) were discarded due to incomplete information. The mean age of inmates from Uyo was 26.3±2.7 years and Kiru 23.7±3.9 years. The lifetime  prevalence of alcohol/substance use was more in Uyo than Kiru (47.4% vs. 33.7%; p=0.002); but current use prevalence of more than one substance was (48.3% vs. 54.6%; p=0.340). The use of alcohol in various forms washigh in Uyo, compared to inhalants, sleeping drugs, cough syrup in Kiru. Cigarettes and Indian hemp were high in both cities. Reasons for use were similar. This study has shown that substance use cuts across all boundaries in Nigeria. Therefore, efforts must be made to strengthen measures aimed at controlling the use, in order to prevent amplifications of social and  health hazards.Key words: Alcohol; Psycoactive substances; Use; Inmates; Localit

A Comparative study of use of psychoactive substances amongst secondary school students in two local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The use and abuse of psychoactive substances is very rampant, even in our secondary schools. In recent times, there has been a growing concern about negative effects of these substances on youths. The high incidence of school dropouts and other nefarious activities are the resultant impacts on the students. The objectives of the study were: (1) To determine the prevalence of substance use amongst secondary school students. (2) Compare the findings in two different local settings. (3) To determine the socio demographic variables. Four hundred secondary school students from two Local Government Areas were assessed for use of psychoactive substances, during the second term of 2004/2005 school session, using a Youth Survey Questionnaire.A total of 254 (63.5%) students, consisting of 119 from Uyo and 135 from Eket were analyzed. The mean age of the students in both schools was 17.1 +2.0 and 16.6 + 1.7 years respectively. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (t=1.14; df= 3, p > 0.05).More students from Uyo, 37 (31.1%) used kola nuts, 54 (45.4%) sedatives, while more students from Eket, 47 (34.8%) used tobacco/cigarettes, 76 (56.3%) alcohol, 21 (15.6%) Indian hemp, 5 (3.7%) cocaine and 1 (0.7%) heroin. Class level (P=0.04), upbringing (P=0.02) and parents\' marital status (P=0.01) was statistically significant in the use of tobacco/cigarettes. Also, class level (P=0.02) parents\' marital status (P=0.00) was statistically significant in the use of alcohol, while family type (P=0.00) and parents\' marital status was significant in the use of sedatives. Similarly, parents\' marital status (p=0.05) was statistically significant in the use of Indian hemp, while family type (P=0.00), upbringing (P=0.03)was significant in cocaine. The findings of this study confirm the presence and use of psychoactive substances in varying proportions among students. Therefore, there is need to strengthen the monitoring and preventive programs aimed at reducing their spread in schools. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp.45-5

Prevalence of substance use and association with psychiatric illness among patients in UYO, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of substance use among inpatients of a Psychiatric Hospital in Uyo, Nigeria, to determine the association with onset of psychiatric illness. A total of 124 inpatients admitted into a Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were assessed for substance use, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization guidelines for students’ substance-use surveys. Clinical interviews were also carried out with the patients and their relatives to corroborate the information volunteered by the patients in the questionnaire. A lifetime prevalence rate of 48.4% use of substances was found. The prevalence rate of current use of alcohol was 36.3%; cannabis 28.3%; cigarette 14.5%; Cocaine 0.8%; snuff/fumes 2.4%; Pain killers and kola nuts 1.6%. About 51.7% of the subjects used two or more substances. Substance use preceded first psychiatric episode in 29.6% of the participants; second in 42.9%; third in 50.0%; while 46.5% all relapses were preceded by alcohol/substance use. This study has shown that substance use is major risk factors for the development of psychiatric illnesses. Therefore, there is need for public enlightenment and routine assessment in order to prevent onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders.Key words: Psychoactive substance; In-patients; Mental illness; Onset

Pattern of psychoactive substance use in the northern region of Nigeria

Recent events in Nigeria seem to suggest that young people are being indoctrinated and used under the influence of psychoactive substances to perpetrate various crimes including terrorism. There is need to examine and control use of these substances in order to prevent escalation of these social maladies. The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of psychoactive substance use among inmates at Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, Kano in the North Central Region of Nigeria, to determine the extent of their involvement. A total of 148 male inmates completed a modified form of 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization guidelines for students’ substance-use surveys. The mean age of the inmates was 23.7±3.9 years. A total of 58.9% had primary school and below level of education; 14.9% were school dropped-out; 29.1% unemployed; while 65.9% were engaged in menial jobs. The lifetime prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 47.4%.Current use prevalence of more than one substance was 54.6%. Ready available substances were consumed more and the potent habit-forming ones like Cocaine and Heroin were used more than alcohol. Uses of inhalants were also on the increase. Reasons for use of substances were ready availability, feeling high, enhancing performance and unidentified personal problems. This study has shown that psychoactive substances are commonly used and abused, especially among the uneducated youths in the Northern part of Nigeria. There is need for massive enlightenment campaigns to increase awareness and strategies aimed at discouraging youths from indulging in substances.Key Words: Alcohol; Psychoactive substances; Youths; Northern Nigeri

Assessing change in knowledge and attitudes of student nurses in Calabar towards mental disorders following an educational program

Background: Knowledge of mental disorders is poor in developing countries and often has a negative impact on the ways the public relate to persons with mental disorders. The present study seeks to explore changes in knowledge and attitude of student nurses to mental disorders following an educational program.Materials / Method: The study involved first and second-year students from two schools of basic nursing: the State School of Nursing, Calabar (intervention group) and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital's School of Nursing (control). A total of 191 students from both schools were assessed at different times (pre and post-intervention periods) using the modified World Psychiatric Association (WPA) questionnaire. The educational intervention was performed only on the students in the intervention group using the WPA semi-structured educational material.Results: The baseline results show that while a small proportion of the respondents (28.1% in the intervention group and 37.9% of control) attributed the cause of mental illness to witchcraft, majority had poor attitudes to mental disorders. One week post-intervention assessment shows some improvement in knowledge of the respondents in the intervention group. This improvement was significant for those that endorsed witchcraft (P=0.01) and God's punishment (P=0.01) as causes of mental disorders. This significant improvement was sustained at the one-month post-intervention assessment.Conclusion: The study shows that an educational program is capable of improving knowledge of aetiology of mental disorders and attitudes  towards persons with such disorders. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitudes, Mental disorders, Student nurses, Calaba

Quality of Sleep and Psychological Distress in Glaucoma

Background: People living with glaucoma are psychologically burdened because of the threat of visual loss. Therefore, understanding the psychosocial issues and quality of sleep holds important implications for the recognition, prevention, and treatment of emotional problems among people with glaucoma. This study investigated the quality of sleep and psychological distress among people with glaucoma. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults recruited over a period of 12 weeks from a glaucoma clinic of a Teaching Hospital in south-west Nigeria. The quality of sleep and psychological distress were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and General Health Questionnaire respectively. Results: Ninety-three adults with glaucoma participated in the study. The mean age was 62.33 ± 15.25 years. Fifty-seven (61.3%) of the subjects were poor sleepers while 27 (29.0%) were psychologically distressed. Psychological distress correlated with global sleep score (r = 0.399, p = 0.000), subjective sleep quality (r = 0.341, p = 0.001), sleep latency (r = 0.245, p = 0.018) and sleep disturbance (r = 0.279, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Psychological distress and sleep disturbances were common among patients with glaucoma. Concerns about these issues should be incorporated into routine clinical evaluations of patients with glaucoma

The stigma of mental illness in Southern Ghana: attitudes of the urban population and patients’ views

PURPOSE: Stigma is a frequent accompaniment of mental illness leading to a number of detrimental consequences. Most research into the stigma connected to mental illness was conducted in the developed world. So far, few data exist on countries in sub-Saharan Africa and no data have been published on population attitudes towards mental illness in Ghana. Even less is known about the stigma actually perceived by the mentally ill persons themselves. METHOD: A convenience sample of 403 participants (210 men, mean age 32.4 ± 12.3 years) from urban regions in Accra, Cape Coast and Pantang filled in the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) questionnaire. In addition, 105 patients (75 men, mean age 35.9 ± 11.0 years) of Ghana's three psychiatric hospitals (Accra Psychiatry Hospital, Ankaful Hospital, Pantang Hospital) answered the Perceived Stigma and Discrimination Scale. RESULTS: High levels of stigma prevailed in the population as shown by high proportions of assent to items expressing authoritarian and socially restrictive views, coexisting with agreement with more benevolent attitudes. A higher level of education was associated with more positive attitudes on all subscales (Authoritarianism, Social Restrictiveness, Benevolence and Acceptance of Community Based Mental Health Services). The patients reported a high degree of experienced stigma with secrecy concerning the illness as a widespread coping strategy. Perceived stigma was not associated with sex or age. DISCUSSION: The extent of stigmatising attitudes within the urban population of Southern Ghana is in line with the scant research in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and mirrored by the experienced stigma reported by the patients. These results have to be seen in the context of the extreme scarcity of resources within the Ghanaian psychiatric system. Anti-stigma efforts should include interventions for mentally ill persons themselves and not exclusively focus on public attitudes