Psychological Problems Among Nursing Staff in a Hospital

Introduction: A high prevalence of psychological/ mental disorders has frequently been reported among nursing staff. However, there is a scarcity of data about ‘psychological, mental and behavioural problems’ among Nepalese nurses. Current study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychiatric problems among nursing staff in a tertiary care hosital. Methods: All nursing staffs working in the hospital during one year were the subjects of this study. With the informed written consent, the responses to semi-structured proforma and the questionnaire General Health Questionnaire 28 were collected. A semi-structured proforma was used to record socio-demographic, clinical profiles and other information. The GHQ 28 was used to screen major psychiatric disorders. The GHQ 28 gives ‘psychiatric caseness’ to the subjects with score of 4 or more. Results: Overwhelming majority of nursing staff in BPKIHS is female certificate level staff nurses. Majority were from urban and semi urban settings. Some had job and institute related stressors. Most common among the reported health complaints were low back pain and headache. Few staff revealed psychiatric diagnosis. Among the enrolled 337 subjects, ‘psychiatric caseness’ was present in 34.72%. Some departments (e.g. dialysis, eye, medical, gynecology ward) had proportionately higher ‘psychiatric caseness’ rates than other (e.g. ENT, psychiatry ward, emergency OT, CSSD). Conclusions: A great proportion of nursing staff suffer from mental and behavioral problems. Keywords: hospital; GHQ 28; mental illness; nursing staff; psychology

Depression during Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Center of Eastern Nepal

This is a cross sectional study, conducted in 45 pregnant women coming for antenatal check ups in the eastern regional hospitals in Nepal. Hamilton -Depression Scale (HAM-d) was applied after initial psychiatry work up to all women who were selected for the interview. Analysis revealed about half of the pregnant women having some form of depression. Life events (e.g. chronic illness in the family, marital disharmony, economic crisis to sustain the family) were found to be important risk factors (P<0.05). Antenatal depression is a more common than generally thought. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2008 Jul-Sep;47(171):128-131

Cognitive Enhancement Drug Use Among Future Physicians: Findings from a Multi-Institutional Census of Medical Students

BACKGROUND: Nonmedical use of prescription psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine salts for the purpose of cognitive enhancement is a growing trend, particularly in educational environments. To our knowledge, no recent studies have evaluated the use of these psychostimulants in a medical academic setting. OBJECTIVE: To conduct an online census of psychostimulant use among medical students. DESIGN: In 2011, we conducted a multi-institutional census using a 31–48 item online survey regarding use of prescription psychostimulants. PARTICIPANTS: 2,732 actively enrolled medical students at four private and public medical schools in the greater Chicago area. MAIN MEASURES: Prevalence and correlates of psychostimulant use KEY RESULTS: 1,115 (41 %) of students responded to the web-based questionnaire (range 26–47 % among schools). On average, students were 25.1 years of age (SD = 2.7, range 20–49), and single (70 %). Overall, 18 % (198/1,115) of this medical student sample had used prescription psychostimulants at least once in their lifetime, with first use most often in college. Of these, 11 % (117/1,115) of students reported use during medical school (range 7–16 % among schools). Psychostimulant use was significantly correlated with use of barbiturates, ecstasy, and tranquilizers (Pearson’s correlation r > 0.5, Student’s t-test p < 0.01); male gender (21 % male versus 15 % female, Chi squared p = 0.007); and training at a medical school which by student self-report determined class rank (68 % versus 51 %, Chi-squared p = 0.018). Non-users were more likely to be first year students (Chi-squared p = 0.048) or to have grown up outside of the United States (Chi-squared p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Use of psychostimulants, including use without a prescription, is common among medical students. Further study of the side effects, medical implications, and use during post-graduate medical training and medical practice is needed to inform evidence-based policy

Drug consumption among medical students in São Paulo, Brazil: influences of gender and academic year Consumo de drogas entre estudantes de medicina em São Paulo: influências de gênero e ano letivo

OBJECTIVE: To analyze alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among medical students. METHOD: Over a five-year period (1996-2001), we evaluated 457 students at the Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, located in São Paulo, Brazil. The students participated by filling out an anonymous questionnaire on drug use (lifetime, previous 12 months and previous 30 days). The influence that gender and academic year have on drug use was also analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, there was an increase in the use of illicit drugs, especially inhalants and amphetamines, among the medical students evaluated. Drug use (except that of marijuana and inhalants) was comparable between the genders, and academic year was an important influencing factor. DISCUSSION: Increased inhalant use was observed among the medical students, especially among males and students in the early undergraduate years. This is suggestive of a specific behavioral pattern among medical students. Our findings corroborate those of previous studies. CONCLUSION: Inhalant use is on the rise among medical students at the Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine. Because of the negative health effects of illicit drug use, further studies are needed in order to deepen the understanding of this phenomenon and to facilitate the development of preventive measures.<br>OBJETIVO: Analisar o consumo de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas entre os estudantes de Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo dentro de um período de cinco anos (1996-2001). MÉTODO: Participaram 457 universitários que responderam a um questionário anônimo sobre o uso de drogas (medidas: uso na vida, nos últimos 12 meses e nos últimos 30 dias). A influência do gênero e do ano letivo do universitário sobre o uso de drogas também foi analisada. RESULTADOS: Em cinco anos, houve um aumento do uso de drogas ilegais entre os estudantes de Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, especialmente de inalantes e anfetaminas. Há uma convergência desse consumo entre os gêneros (exceto para maconha e inalantes) e o ano letivo é fator interferente de relevância. DISCUSSÃO: Entre os estudantes de Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, observou-se um aumento do uso de inalantes, especialmente entre os alunos do sexo masculino e dos primeiros anos de graduação. Sugere-se que seja um comportamento específico dos estudantes de Medicina, tendo corroborado com os resultados de estudos prévios. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de inalantes é crescente entre os universitários de Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Devido aos seus efeitos nocivos sobre a saúde, outros estudos são necessários para aprofundar a compreensão desse fenômeno, assim como para que sejam desenvolvidas medidas de prevenção que interrompam sua evolução