Psychosocial aspects of epilepsy in Nigeria: a review

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder marked by intermittent, often unpredictable seizures which may be embarrassing and disruptive to the normal activity of daily living. This review was undertaken to provide information / data on the prevalence, seizure types, treatment issues and psychosocial impact of epilepsy in Nigeria. Method: We searched the PUBMED database with emphasis on studies conducted in Nigeria using a combination of the following words: epilepsy, seizure, convulsion, prevalence, epidemiology, psychiatric morbidity, social issues, quality of life, cognition, school performance, treatment issues and Nigeria. Result: 48 relevant studies that met the criteria were reviewed. The point prevalence of epilepsy varies from 5.3 to 37 per 1000 in Nigeria. Most studies showed a predominance of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Nigerian patients with epilepsy suffer social deprivation and discrimination in education, employment, housing, marital life as well as associated psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion: Epilepsy, a stigmatizing disorder in Nigeria, has a significant impact on the day to day functioning of those with the condition.Keywords: Epilepsy; Psychosocial; Nigeri

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of Yoruba version of the short-form 12 health survey

Background. Short Form 12 (SF-12) health survey has found its utility in clinical and research settings because of its short length that spares time. Though several translations into other languages do exist there is none available in Yoruba language. Hence, this study’s objective was to culturally adapt and determine the reliability and validity of the Yoruba translated version of the SF-12. Methods. Forward and backward translations of SF-12 into Yoruba version of SF-12 (Y-SF-12) were done using the International Quality of Life Assessment Project Guidelines. Healthy participants were assessed using both English and Yoruba versions of SF-12 for the validation phase, and two weeks later were reassessed with the Y-SF-12 for the reliability phase. Results. Participants were 225 males and 171 females. The mean scores for each scale range from 73.4 to 86.1, with no gender difference. All scale and domain scores evidenced a negative skew and ranges from -1.79 to -0.62. Concurrent validity (0.879 – 0.938) and convergent validity (0.786 – 0.907) appeared to be good as reflected by their correlation values. The internal consistency of Y-SF-12 was good as Cronbach’s Alpha ranged between 0.899 and 0.968, while the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged between 0.775 and 0.949. Conclusion. This is the first study to assess the psychometric properties of the Y-SF-12. It appears to be valid and may be an appropriate tool for assessing health-related quality of life among Yoruba population. The tool may help to improve the health outcomes of individuals, and redress health inequalities in low and middle-income countries

Homophobia and perceptions about homosexuality among students of a tertiary institution in Nigeria

The term ‘LGBT’ is intended to emphasize a diversity of "sexuality and gender identity-based cultures”. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) adolescents face challenges growing up healthy in a culture that is often unaccepting. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria.2 Discrimination by reason of sexual orientation, termed homophobia, embraces prejudices against LGBT individuals. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of homophobia, explore the perception about homosexuality and associations between sociodemographic factors and homophobia among undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 500 students of OAU using a multistage sampling technique. They completed a semi structured Socio-demographic Data Schedule and a homophobic scale developed by Wright, Adams and Bernatto assess the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of homophobia. Univariate analysis was used to determine the prevalence of homophobia and this was expressed in percentages. Association at bivariate level was assessed using chi-square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. About half of the respondents were between the ages of 21 and 25 years. There were slightly more females (56%) than males. most of the respondents (97.8%) were aware of homosexuality, fewer (64.3%) believed it was common while fewer still (36.8%) knew any gay or bisexual persons. Thirty-five (7.2%) respondents believed that homosexuality was acceptable. However, 359 (74.7%) believed that homosexuality was immoral, 326 (67.8%) would feel uncomfortable with a GLB roommate and 23 (4.9%) had actually damaged property belonging to GLB persons. Two hundred and forty-nine (54.5%) respondents had high overall levels of homophobia. Female respondents had significantly lower levels of total homophobia compared to male respondents. Respondents attracted exclusively to the opposite sex were more likely to demonstrate behavioural aggression compared to those attracted to same or both sexes. Although many are aware of same sex sexuality in Nigeria, the restrictive confines of law and social norms make stigmatization and discrimination rife and these may impact negatively on the wellbeing of LGBT individuals.Keywords: LGBT, Homophobia, Homosexuality, Perceptio

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

Personality Traits among Inmates of Aba Prison in Nigeria: Influence of the Five Factor Model on Inmate Status and type of Offences

Background: Personality traits are the basic elements in the study of personality and it influences decision making by affecting our choices about whether to engage in different behaviours. Knowledge of the different personality traits among prison inmate is useful as it will assists in the development of interventions and strategies that target people with specific trait profiles so as to maximize their effectiveness in changing behaviour.Aim: To assess the personality traits of inmates in Aba prisonMethods: Four hundred and six inmates were studied. Each inmate completed a semi-structured sociodemographic questionnaire and personality traits were assessed with the 44-item Big Five Inventory.Results: The majority (72.7%) of the inmates were within the age range of 21 - 40 years . The personality trait with the highest mean score was openness while neuroticism had the lowest mean score. A large proportion of the inmates were awaiting trial (94.6%) while only few were convicted inmates (5.4%). The most common type of offence among the inmate was armed robbery (34.0%), followed by stealing, murder and assault (29.6%, 17.0% and 15.0 respectively) while rape and kidnapping were the least common offence (0.5% and 0.2% respectively). The convicted inmates reported significant higher mean scores on extraversion and agreeableness than the awaiting trial inmates. There were significant differences in all Big Five personality domain scores in the different inmate's charges using ANOVA except in neuroticism.Conclusion: The findings of high extraversion and agreeableness traits among Nigerian convicted inmates and significant differences in personality trait of the different inmate charges open up new opportunities for further researc

Health Locus Of Control And Health Behaviour Among Female Students And Employees In A Nigerian Tertiary Institution

The study examined the role of health locus of control and health behaviours on women's health.   400 female respondents were recruited employing convenient sampling between ages 18 - 60 years at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic variables, the adapted version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Health Behaviour Scale. The study assessed the associations between the dimensions of HLOC and health behaviour among women in the institution. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship among the students, academic staff, and non-academic staff population on the internal locus of control scale (X2 (2) 7.4565, p < 0.02). There was also a significant relationship among the two subscales of external locus of control; powerful others      (X2 (2) 6.3818, p < 0.04) and chance (X2 (2) 17.6865, p < 0.00) respectively. Health Enhancing Behaviour was also found to be significant among the population (X2 (2) 9.4420, p < 0.01).  The study concluded that health locus of control and health behaviour had a significant role in women's predisposition towards their health issues

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

Relationship between family support and depression symptoms among older women attending a general practice clinic, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Older women are more at risk of depression symptoms. This study assessed the relationship between family support and factors associated with depression symptoms among older women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 317 older women attending the General Practice Clinic, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria over a period of four months. They completed a semi-structured questionnaire on socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Perceived Social Support-Family Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and&nbsp; inferential statistics.Results: The prevalence of depression symptoms was 42.5%. Most respondents (73.8%) also had chronic health problems such as hypertension (53.8%), obesity (43.2%), musculo-skeletal disorders (30.3%) and diabetes mellitus (10.3%). Poor family support was associated with depression symptoms among the respondents Significant factors associated with having depression symptoms include presence of chronic illness (OR=3.54, 95%CI=1.29-9.71, p=0.0001), low income (OR=5.21, 95%CI=1.50-17.86, p=0.020), bereavement (OR=2.39, 95%CI=1.01-5.63, p=0.014) and poor family support (OR=3.42, 95%CI=0.99-11.76, p=0.010).Conclusions: Poor family support was associated with depressive symptoms. Depression symptoms are common among older women with chronic health problems, poverty and poor family support. Targeting Improving family support these factors will reduce depression symptoms among older women

Psychoactive Substance Use Among Psychiatric Outpatients In a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Psychiatric and substance-use disorders are serious problems for the individuals who have them as well as the society as a whole. There is dearth of studies enumerating the estimates of psychoactive drug use among psychiatric outpatients in Nigeria.Aim: This study aimed at determining lifetime and current use prevalence of psychoactive substance among psychiatric outpatients.Methods: Subjects from the psychiatric clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex were consecutively recruited for the study. Information on sociodemographic variables and drug use was obtained and data was subject to descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Data from 130 subjects were analysed. The mean age was 39.95 years and 53.8% of subjects were males. Life time and current use prevalence of any substance were 45.4% and 22.3% respectively. Concerning specific psychoactive substance, Stimulant (26.9%) was highest in lifetime use while alcohol (13.1%) was highest in current use among respondents. Patients with Schizophrenia had the highest lifetime rate of any substance (15.4%) while patients with seizure, dementia and other disorders had the lowest rate (2.3%).Conclusion: Stimulants and alcohol were the substances more likely to be used by the mentally ill irrespective of their diagnostic category. These observations underscore the need to further study the important relationship between these psychoactive substances and these psychiatric disorders.Keywords: Psychoactive substance , psychiatry , outpatient