Factors associated with psychiatric morbidity among patients with Cancer in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

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Depression in elderly primary health care clinic attendees in Ilorin, Nigeria

Depression in the elderly presenting at primary care settings is usually under- detected by primary care physicians. This study assessed the prevalence of depression and the utility of the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form) in detecting depression in elderly patients in primary care populations in Ilorin, Nigeria.This was a two stage cross-sectional study with data obtained from three primary care centres in Ilorin, using a proforma for socio-demographic variables and GDS-SF for depression screening. The second stage involved use of Depression Module of MINI (without knowledge of first stage scores) on all those with scores of ≥6 and a 15% random sample of those with scores <6 on GDS-SF. Data analysis was by use of SPSS version 21 while level of significance was set at P< 0.05.A total of 463 patients participated in the study. Prevalence of depression was found to be 3.2%. Depression was not found to be significantly associated with socio-demographic factors, but being divorced, separated or widowed, as well as, being female, increased age, feeling lonely and presence of at least one chronic physical illness showed trends towards caseness on GDS-SF. All 15 patients who screened positive on GDS-SF for depression were confirmed on MINI interview to be cases of depression. In conclusion the use of short screening instrument such as GDS-SF may improve detection rate for late life depression in busy primary care clinics in Nigeria. Primary care physicians should particularly look out for at risk groups such as divorced, separated and widowed elderly patients for routine screening for depression.Keywords: Elderly, Depression, GDS-SF, Screenin

COVID-19 and mental health in Nigeria: Three proposals for integration mental health services into COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 disease is a global pandemic which in its over twelve months of known existence has affected over 89 million people worldwide leading to psychological and social sequelae in the affected individuals, their caregivers, health workers and the general public. Nigeria seems to have at best, a skeletal and non-structured integration of mental health professionals into her COVID-19 response team, both at the state and the federal levels. This article proposes three (3) models for integrating a multidisciplinary mental health team into the management of infected individuals, their caregivers as well as health care workers, while taking into consideration, the human and material resources available for mental health in the country as well as the already existing pressure on the available resources.  These models include a mental health team participatory model, a multi-level training model and a multi-sectoral collaboration model. It is hoped that a careful and strategic integrating of these three models will help to create a sustainable framework for tackling the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic` in a developing country like Nigeria. &nbsp

Views of primary and secondary school teachers of childhood epilepsy and asthma

Epilepsy and asthma are 2 common chronic medical conditions that are seen in school-age children. Both are characterized by paroxysmal attacks that require prolonged medication and regular clinic attendance. Since teacher's attitudes and perception of chronic condi t ions affect s s tudent ' s academic performance and adjustment in the class, this study compares teachers' knowledge and attitude to these ailments. Six hundred sel f -admini s tered standardized questionnaires were given to teachers in public schools (primary and secondary) in Ilorin metropolis, the capital of Kwara State. The response rate was 88%. Respondents were 35% males and 65% females with age range of 20 to 67years (mean of 35.±8.9). All the teachers had been educated for 12years, but there health educational knowledge about epilepsy and asthma appear inadequate. However, responses were more in favor of asthma than epilepsy.About 21% and 4% of teachers associated epilepsy and asthma with insanity respectively. Forty-eight percent of participants indicated that epilepsy was contractible through saliva, compared to 13% that held same opinion of asthma (

Risperidone-Induced hyperprolactinemia in a Pre-menopausal Woman: A case report

A common side effect of antipsychotic medications used to treat psychotic patients is hyperprolactinemia. Its occurrence leads to dysfunction of the reproductive, endocrine and metabolic systems. This side effect which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, is commonly under reported and under treated and may result in poor compliance. We present the case of a 35year old patienttreated for psychotic depression with atypical antipsychotics, Risperidone and Amitrypiline, who presented with galactorrhea and amenorrhea which led her to stop her medications and consequently, a resurgence of the primary illness. Hormonal assay showed elevated Prolactin level which reduced significantly with institution of dopamine agonist Bromocriptine and a switch in medicationto Aripripazole. These are examples of treatment strategies suggested in literatures reviewed. We recommended that clinicians pay more attention to hyperproclactenimia as an important side effect seen in patients taking antipsychotics which may reduce compliance. Key words: Hyperprolactinemia, Antipsychotic, Risperidone&nbsp

Benefits, disadvantages and challenges of virtual conferencing in the COVID-19 era: Adjusting to the new normal

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous effect on the medical and scientific community. Measures instituted to curb the spread of the disease such as physical distancing and ban on large gatherings have significantly altered conferencing activities of medical professional associations. With no end in sight to the pandemic, it is certain that medical professional associations may have to make do with purely virtual or hybrid conferencing for some time to come. The objective of this paper is to highlight the benefits, disadvantages and challenges of virtual conferencingMethods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, and AJOL databases from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 for publications describing the benefits, disadvantages and challenges of virtual conferencing during the pandemic. This, together with authors' experience formed the resource base for this work.Conclusion: We propose ways the scientific community in Nigeria can maximize the virtual conferencing while the pandemic lasts. We also advocate increased discussion about how to improve the virtual conferencing culture and the development of guidelines for purely virtual or hybrid scientific conferences

Understanding university community’s mental health needs and the determinants of wellbeing sequala: a qualitative study

Mental health among university students is on the increase every day, therefore this study investigates mental health needs and determinants of psychological well-being of the university community. This explanatory qualitative research design used a purposive sampling technique to sample 13-participant (with age-ranged between 21 to 57years; age mean=30.7years) at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Data was gathered using a key informant interview. Themes emerged from the data analysis, and excerpts from the participant interviews were used to illustrate the themes. Following data analysis, the research study found that the age of adolescents with emotional dysregulation, poor lecturers/students relationships, study life imbalance, and inaccessibility to counseling services were shown as the determinants of mental health among university students. Results revealed that there is a need for internet-based mental health services with substance abuse screening and audio/visual display facilities. Furthermore, empowerment of counseling staff, students, and the university community with periodic workshops/seminars on mental health awareness and integration of mental health modules into the General Studies (GNS) curriculum was found as the needs of the university community to boost their mental healthiness. We conclude that adolescence age, poor lecturer-student relationships, study life imbalance, and inaccessible counseling services are determinants of psychological distress. Therefore, insightful and rebranded interventions like e-mental health services and awareness programs are required to restore psychological wellbeing on the university campus