Emotional distress among caregivers of patients with epilepsy in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria

Objective: Caregivers of patients with epilepsy experience considerable emotional distress. The study aimed to assess the magnitude of the problem in a developing country. Method: A total 166 patients-caregivers were enrolled for the study. Theywere interviewed using a socio-demographic data collecting sheet and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS). Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Windows version 13. All statistical tests were carried out at a 5% level of probability. Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 45.44±6.67 years. Emotional distress was found among 109(65.7%) of the caregivers. This is was significantly associated with male gender of both care giver and patient as well as residing in a rural area.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high level of emotional distress associated with caring for patients with epilepsy, which is comparable to other studies carried out in other parts of the world.Key words: Epilepsy; Caregivers; Emotions; Nigeri

Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in depressed patients with HIV/AIDS attending a Nigerian university teaching hospital clinic

Objective:  Key words:  Medication adherence; Depressive disorder; Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy; HIV infectionTo determine the prevalence of depressive disorder in patients with HIV/AIDS receiving HAART; to determine the effect of depressive disorder on adherence to antiretroviral therapy; and to determine the significance of the association. Method: The study was conducted amongst outpatients of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. A sociodemographic and drug adherence questionnaire was administered. The Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to screen for depressive symptoms while the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) was used to confirm the diagnosis of depressive disorder. Results: A total of 310 patients with HIV/AIDS receiving HAART participated in the study. 68.4% were female and the mean age was 35.5 (± 8.97 years). 37.4% had secondary education, while 27.1% had tertiary education. Sixty-six participants (21.3%) had significant depressive symptoms while 14.2% met ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder. Overall, 73% of participants had good adherence to HAART. 63.6% of participants with depressive disorder had poor adherence to HAART compared to 21.1% of participants without depressive disorder (

Medication compliance behavior in psychiatric out‑patients with psychoactive substance use comorbidity in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Psychotropic medication adherence is a major challenge in psychiatric patients with comorbidity.Objective: The objective was to determine medication adherence behavior among psychiatric out‑patients with psychoactive substance use comorbidity in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.Settings and Design: A cross‑sectional study of a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria.Methods: Adult patients who have been attending the out‑patient clinic for at least 1 year were included. From the routine clinic, each consecutive fourth patient completed a socio‑demographic and drug use questionnaire, a self‑administered medication adherence scale, and a semi‑structured proforma which sought reasons for poor adherence, information on supervision and who keeps patient medications at home; until a calculated sample of 208 was attained.Statistical Analysis: Done by means of descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.Results: Totally, 208 patients participated in the study. 61 (29.3%) of them were substance users, out of which 59% never reported missing their medications. No statistically significant relationship was found between substance use and medication adherence. A significant proportion of substance users were compliant with medication use when the drugs were in their possession. For substance users and nonusers, the major reason for poor drug adherence was the unavailability of the medications, while nonsubstance users were more likely to complain about being tired of the medications. No report of side effects in supervised patients.Conclusion: The use of psychoactive substances in patients with other mental disorders influences their medication adherence behavior.Key words: Adherence, hospital, Nigeria, out‑patients, psychoactive, substanc

Alcohol-Related Problems And High Risk Sexual Behaviour In Patients With Hiv/Aids Attending Medical Clinic In A Nigerian University Teaching Hospital

This study was designed to determine the rate of alcohol related-problems in patients with HIV/ AIDS and its association with high risk sexual behavior. A consecutive sample of 120 patients with HIV/AIDS attending the Medical Out-patient Department (M.O.P.D) in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (A.B.U.T.H), Zaria was assessed. All participants were screened for alcohol related problems using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). High risk sexual behavior was assessed using the HIV Risk-taking Behavior Questionnaire (HRBQ). Alcohol-related problems were found in 28.3% of participants (10% had hazardous use, 3.3% had harmful use and 15% had alcohol dependence). There was a significant association between alcohol-related problems and risky sexual behavior. Alcohol-related problems are fairly common in people already infected with HIV/AIDS and are associated with high-risk sexual behavior. Thus, screening and treatment should be part of an effective HIV intervention program. Key Words: Alcohol related problems, high-risk sexual behavior, hazardous use, harmful use, alcohol dependenc