Sexual orientation and quality of life among students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria.

Background: Sexual orientation is an individual's pattern of physical and emotional arousal toward members of the same and/or opposite gender.Objective: To determine the pattern of sexual orientation and the relationship between sexual orientation and quality of life among a sample of OAU students.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study among 481 students of OAU using a multistage sampling technique. They completed a Socio-demographic data schedule, questions on sexual orientation and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale – Brief version (WHO QOL-BREF).Results: 4.9% of the sample self-identified as bisexual while 0.1% self-identified as gay/lesbian. 11.8% of the respondents reported varying degrees of attraction to the opposite gender. The mean age of sexual debut was 17.62 (±4.05). Those who self-identified as gay/lesbian/bisexual had a lower average score on all domains of the WHO QOL-BREF.Conclusion: Same sex sexual attraction and practice occur among young people in Nigeria and this has sexual and reproductive health implications. GLB youth report a lower QOL compared to heterosexual counterparts and this may suggest some distress among this vulnerable group. More studies should be undertaken to explore issues raised in planning interventions and health services that would improve safe sexual practices within this group.Keywords: Sexual orientation, quality of life, students, Nigeria

Sexual orientation and quality of life among students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria.

Abstract Background: Sexual orientation is an individual's pattern of physical and emotional arousal toward members of the same and/or opposite gender. Objective: To determine the pattern of sexual orientation and the relationship between sexual orientation and quality of life among a sample of OAU students. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study among 481 students of OAU using a multistage sampling technique. They completed a Socio-demographic data schedule, questions on sexual orientation and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale \u2013 Brief version (WHO QOL-BREF). Results: 4.9% of the sample self-identified as bisexual while 0.1% self-identified as gay/lesbian. 11.8% of the respondents reported varying degrees of attraction to the opposite gender. The mean age of sexual debut was 17.62 (\ub14.05). Those who self-identified as gay/lesbian/bisexual had a lower average score on all domains of the WHO QOL-BREF. Conclusion: Same sex sexual attraction and practice occur among young people in Nigeria and this has sexual and reproductive health implications. GLB youth report a lower QOL compared to heterosexual counterparts and this may suggest some distress among this vulnerable group. More studies should be undertaken to explore issues raised in planning interventions and health services that would improve safe sexual practices within this group

Relationship between personality traits and reproductive choices among women attending the psychiatric clinic of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: The study aimed to assess the relationship between personality traits and reproductive choices among women attending the psychiatric clinic at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital.Methods: The original study used a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test-controlled design though this article presents a cross sectional view of results. Two hundred females were recruited into the study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was applied to the respondents which elicited information on background characteristics, baseline contraceptive indicators and personality traits. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods.Results: The personality factors found to affect contraceptive use included high scores on Conscientiousness, Extraversion and Neuroticism, though only extraversion maintained this relationship on regression analysis. The personality factors found to affect pregnancy plan included high scores on Conscientiousness.Conclusions: This study showed a distinct relationship between specific personality traits and contraceptive use with neuroticism exhibiting a negative influence on use while conscientiousness exhibited a positive influence

Workplace violence and risk for psychiatric morbidity among health workers in a tertiary health care setting in Nigeria: prevalence and correlates

The objectives were to evaluate the workplace violence and risk for psychiatric morbidity, as well as their correlates, among health workers in a tertiary healthcare setting in Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit the health workers. Each participant was administered a socio-demographic questionnaire, the ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI Workplace Violence Questionnaire and the 12- item General Health Questionnaire. A total of 380 health workers were recruited, with a mean age of 36.4 (±7.64) years. The prevalence rates of workplace violence and risk of psychiatric morbidity were 39.9% and 38.5%. Factors with independent associations with workplace violence included young age, female sex and worry about workplace violence while a widowed, separated or divorced marital status and being victim of workplace violence independently increased risk for developing psychiatric morbidity. This study therefore showed that workplace violence is common in the health care setting, and significant proportion of workers are at risk for developing psychiatric morbidity. These observations suggest need for the regular mental health screening of health workers, as well as the need for programmes aimed at preventing workplace violence in this setting

Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised: Factor Structure, Reliability, Validity, and Suicide Risk Screening Characteristics among Nigerian Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective: This study attempted to explore the feasibility of use of the 18-item Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) as a subjective suicide risk assessment tool in a cross-sectional sample of Nigerian patients with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty-two outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from the mental health clinic of a university teaching hospital in Southwestern Nigeria. They completed the OCI-R in addition to the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and a sociodemographic and illness-related questionnaire. The patients were objectively interviewed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview suicidality module items to assess their suicide risk. Results: The 18-item OCI-R demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity (0.900) and specificity (0.662) at a total cutoff score of 10 in relation to the identification of Nigerian patients with schizophrenia with significant suicide risk. At this cutoff score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.817 (95% confidence interval: 0.735–0.898), and positive predictive value (0.726) and negative predictive value (0.869) were also satisfactory. The OCI-R also demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and construct validity. Conclusion: The OCI-R has demonstrated to be useful as a subjective suicide risk assessment tool among Nigerian schizophrenia patients

Depression and its association with psychological factors among adolescents living with HIV in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Objective The aim was to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder and associated psychological factors among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. Methods One hundred and five adolescents with HIV were assessed for self-esteem, internalized HIV stigma and diagnosed of depressive disorder. Chi square and t tests were used to test associations and hierarchical logistic regression used to identify independent risk factors for depression. Results The mean age of participants was 16.5 (± 1.97) years and 55.2% were males. Mean stigma scores were significantly higher in those with depressive disorder (16.53 ± 3.85) when compared with those without (13.42 ± 3.464) and this difference was statistically significant (t = 3.17, p = 0.01). The mean self-esteem scores were significantly lower in participants with depressive disorder (17.53 ± 4.69) compared to those without depressive disorder (19.71 ± 3.86), though not significant (t = 1.96, p = 0.053). Depressive disorder was further significantly associated with female sex, being in romantic relationship, decline in work output due to HIV and HIV stigma. Independent risk factors were sex and HIV stigma. Conclusion Depressive disorder is common among adolescents living with HIV infection in Nigeria. The association between HIV stigma and depression, thus suggests the need for prevention strategies targeting the impacts of HIV infection among adolescents

Depression and associated factors among gay and heterosexual male university students in Nigeria

Homosexuality is a recognized risk factor for depression in high-income countries; however, there is little research investigating the relationship between depression and sexual orientation in developing countries, especially in Africa. In this first study to investigate psychopathology in sexual minority men in Nigeria, the prevalence rates of depression in Nigerian gay and heterosexual individuals were compared as well as the explanatory power of risk and resilience factors in both groups. Eighty-one gay and 81 heterosexual male university students were, respectively, recruited from the Obafemi Awolowo University. Both groups were assessed for depression and other clinical factors, including alcohol and other substance use, suicidal ideation, and resilience. Gay students were further assessed for sexuality-related variables, including minority stress factors such as internalized homophobia and perceived stigma. The prevalence rates of depression among gay and heterosexual students were, respectively, 16 and 4.9% (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.15–11.82), and this increased likelihood for depression was significantly attenuated by resilience. Clinical factors correlated significantly with depression in both groups, explaining 31% of the variance in depression in gay and heterosexual students, respectively. Sexuality-related variables including internalized homophobia and perceived stigma were further associated with depression in gay students—accounting for a further 14% of the variance of depression in gay students. The findings highlight the importance of minority stress factors in understanding depression among non-heterosexual individuals in a developing country, and the need for further research to investigate the mechanisms of these relationships in such settings

A national survey of oral maxillofacial surgeons’ and trainees’ awareness and practice regarding psychological problems associated with facial trauma

Background: The psychological problems associated with facial trauma may sometimes pose additional health concerns for the injured patient. Understanding the gaps in the Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons’ (OMFS) awareness of patient in need of specialist mental health intervention is important in ensuring holistic care for the trauma patient. Objectives: To determine the knowledge, practices and self-assessed level of competence of Nigerian Oral maxillofacial surgeons/trainees regarding psychological problems associated with facial trauma and to determine their perceived need for training in assessment of psychological consequences following facial trauma. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which a web-based structured questionnaire was sent to Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and trainees. Results: Majority of respondents (85.2%) had encountered psychological problems in patients who have sustained facial trauma. Half (50.6%) of OMFS / trainees had high level of knowledge regarding psychological problems associated with facial trauma; depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, body image disorder and acute stress syndrome were the five most common trauma related psychological problems mentioned. More respondents reported low level of competence in conducting mental state examination when compared to other skill sets. In-unit counselling was reported as the method of intervention by majority (69.1 %), followed by referral to the mental health specialists (17.3%). More than one third (40.7%) of OMFS were extremely interested in undergoing additional training in the psychological assessment of patients who have sustained facial trauma. Conclusion: Nigerian Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently encounter psychological problems in patients with traumatic facial injuries. Notwithstanding their perceived self-assessed low level of competence in psychological assessment of trauma patients, objective assessment revealed a relatively high level of knowledge of psychological problems that can affect the facial trauma patient with many indicating a high perceived need for additional training in the psychological assessment of facial trauma patient. There is a need for incorporating psychological assessment into the management to ensure holistic care of trauma patients. Keywords: Maxillofacial trauma; psychological problems; Nigeria

Economic Cost of Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Objectives: This study evaluated the economic cost of schizophrenia in Nigerian patients and identified factors that influence cost. Methods: A total of 100 participants with schizophrenia were assessed using the modified economic cost questionnaire, the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview, the positive and negative syndrome scale, the Liverpool University Neuroleptic side-effect rating scale, and the global assessment of functioning scale. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics, illness-related variables and direct, indirect, and total costs of schizophrenia were assessed. Results: The average annual total, direct, and indirect costs of the treatment were $818.48,$349.59, and $468.89, respectively, per patient. The direct cost constituted 42.7%, while the indirect cost was 57.3% of the total costs of treatment. Hospitalization was the leading contributor to the direct cost, while productivity loss was a major component of the indirect cost. Conclusion: Schizophrenia is an expensive disease in Nigeria, measures to reduce hospitalization could significantly reduce the cost of illness to the patient and their relatives

Association between risky sexual behavior and a psychosocial syndemic among Nigerian men who have sex with men

Background: The HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is reinforced by a psychosocial syndemic, but this has not been investigated in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the psychosocial syndemic and its relationship with risky sexual behavior among Nigeria MSM. Methods: Eighty-one MSM and 81 heterosexual men were compared for risky sexual behavior and psychosocial adversity variables—childhood adversity, intimate partner violence, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, substance use, and a derived psychosocial syndemic score. The association between syndemic scores and risky sexual behavior was examined among MSM. Results: MSM had significantly higher rates of individual psychosocial adversities except substance use. There were significant interrelationships between the variables, and syndemic scores were associated with higher-risk sexual behavior. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the psychosocial syndemic and its relationship with HIV risk among African MSM. The findings highlight the role of psychosocial adversities in exacerbating the HIV epidemic among MSM in developing countries