Childhood trauma among adult patients with mental illness in south-western Uganda: A hospital-based study

Introduction: Childhood trauma plays a central role in the long-term outcomes and quality of life of adults with mental disorders. Its burden among patients receiving mental health care in rural health facilities has not been established formally. This study determined the prevalence of childhood trauma among individuals receiving treatment at two mental health facilities in southwestern Uganda. Methods: Two hundred forty-nine adult psychiatric patients were screened for childhood trauma using the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine the information on prevalence rates, cumulative traumas and types of trauma experienced by individuals receiving treatment at Ugandan mental health facilities. Results: Nine in ten mentally ill patients had experienced childhood adversities which were more significant greater among participants diagnosed with depression and substance use disorder compared to those with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 99.6% of participants with childhood trauma experienced multiple forms of adverse childhood adversities. The commonest adverse childhood experiences in our sample were witnessing violence against household members, physical neglect, bullying and emotional violence. Conclusion: Our results highlight the extremely high rate of childhood trauma among patients with mental disorders and raise the global health policy issue revealing the need for a primary health level intervention to address its effects along the mainstream mental health care

Affective and Psychotic Disorders in War-Torn Eastern Part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. There is lack of information about prevalence of affective and psychotic disorders triggered by traumatic events among people living in war-affected regions. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence rate of affective and psychotic disorders and the associated factors in a war-torn eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods. This epidemiological cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019 at Cepima and Muyisa health centers. This study enrolled 344 patients that had experienced traumatic events in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo from the 1119 participants, of whom 229 had positive bipolar affective disorder and 115 patients had psychotic disorders. Results. The results revealed that bipolar affective disorders were two times more than psychotic disorders. Sexual abuse, sudden death of a relative, kidnapping, the physical torture, and childhood trauma were the psychological factors correlated to the occurrence of bipolar affective and psychotic disorders. Conclusions. It was concluded that the traumatic experiences were precursors for the occurrence of bipolar affective and psychotic spectrum disorders

24 h mortality and its predictors among road traffic accident victims in a resource limited setting; a multicenter cohort study

Abstract Introduction The incidence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) is on the rise contributing to the global burden of mortality as a major global health threat. It has been estimated that 93% of RTAs and more than 90% of the resulting deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Though death due to RTAs has been occurring at an alarming rate, there is paucity of data relating to incidence and predictors of early mortality. This study was aimed at determining the 24 h mortality and its predictors among RTA patients attending selected hospitals in western Uganda. Methods This was a prospective cohort that consecutively enrolled 211 RTA victims admitted and managed in emergency units of 6 hospitals in western Uganda. All patients who presented with a history of trauma were managed according to the advanced trauma life support protocol (ATLS). The outcome regarding death was documented at 24 h from injury. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 for windows. Results Majority of the participants were male (85.8%) aged 15–45 years (76.3%). The most common road user category was motorcyclists (48.8%). The 24 h mortality was 14.69%. At multivariate analysis, it was observed that a motorcyclist was 5.917 times more likely to die compared to a pedestrian (P = 0.016). It was also observed that a patient with severe injury was 15.625 times more likely to die compared to one with a moderate injury (P < 0.001). Conclusion The incidence of 24 h mortality among road traffic accident victims was high. Being motorcycle rider and severity of injury according to Kampala trauma score II predicted mortality. Motorcyclists should be reminded to be more careful while using the road. Trauma patients should be assessed for severity, and the findings used to guide management since severity predicted mortality

Predictors of a negative coping mechanism (blaming self or others, alcohol use, self-destruction, disassociation) following occurrence of a complication.

Predictors of a negative coping mechanism (blaming self or others, alcohol use, self-destruction, disassociation) following occurrence of a complication.</p

The complications encountered.

SSI: Surgical site infection; DOT: Death on table.</p

Coping mechanisms used by the participants following a complication.

Coping mechanisms used by the participants following a complication.</p

Impact on surgical practice of participants following the complications.

Impact on surgical practice of participants following the complications.</p

Baseline characteristics of study participants.

We aimed to assess the psychosocial impact from postoperative complications on the surgical workforce and the coping mechanisms they use following these complications in Uganda and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This was a cross-sectional multi-center study conducted from first February 2022 to 31st March 2022 in the preselected main teaching hospitals of Uganda and Eastern DRC. We surveyed the surgical workforce (practicing surgeons, Obstetrician-Gynecologists, and residents in surgery/ Obstetrics-Gynecology) who had experienced postoperative complications in their career. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. One hundred ninety-eight participants responded to the questionnaire. Worry about patient and reputation were the commonest psychological impacts in 54.0% and 45.5% of the participants respectively. Majority of the participants (55.1%) used positive coping mechanisms with a positive impact on their practice (94.4%). Being a female doctor (AOR = 2.637, CI 1.065–6.533, P = 0.036), worrying about reputation (AOR = 3.057, CI = 1.573–5.939, P = 0.001) and guilt after a complication (AOR = 4.417, CI = 2.253–8.659, P = </div

Forms of emotional impact seen following a complication.

Forms of emotional impact seen following a complication.</p

Predictors of a negative coping mechanism (blaming self or others, alcohol, self-destruction, disassociation).

Predictors of a negative coping mechanism (blaming self or others, alcohol, self-destruction, disassociation).</p