Still on physicians’ attitude to medical marijuana

Desai and Patel highlighted in a recent review that “there are several issues related to medical marijuana, which concern public health such as its medical use, harmful effects, laws and physicians role.” Certainly, physician’s perspectives and position on the relative harm and benefits of marijuana contribute to the growing controversy over its legalization in western countries. Interestingly, the seeming resistance of physicians in western countries to marijuana prescription appears to mirror the position of psychiatrists in developing countries. For instance, in a recent survey of psychiatrists in Nigeria, up to 55% of psychiatrists were against the medical use of marijuana

Gestational headaches: characteristics and influencing factors in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Headache is one of the common neurological diseases in pregnancy but its pattern and influencing factors are yet to be determined in our environment in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics, as well as the modifying factors for gestational headaches in Ogbomoşo, Nigeria.Methods: This study was a bi-institutional cross-sectional descriptive study. Three hundred and eight (308) eligible pregnant women attending the ante-natal care of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Ogbomoso South local government hospitals in Ogbomoso were recruited consecutively, between November10, 2012 and February 28, 2013. Using an interviewer administered questionnaire, socio-demographic, obstetrics and headache related variables were obtained from eligible pregnant women. Gestational headaches were characterized using the international classification of headache disorders II (ICHD-II). The prevalence of migraine and tension type headache were determined before and during pregnancy. Improvement rates (defined by reduced headache frequency and severity) were determined.Results: The prevalence of Headaches before and during pregnancy was 25% and 23.3% respectively (P = 0.661).Migraine prevalence was 8.4% and 5.5% before and during pregnancy respectively (P = 0.34); while the prevalence of Tension-Type Headaches (TTH) was 16.5% and 17.9% before and during pregnancy (P = 0.63). Improvement rate was 100% for migraine and 85.5% for TTH. Multiple logistic regressions revealed that poor personal income, unemployment and multi-parity were predictive factors for headaches in pregnancy.  Conclusions: Migraine and Tension type headaches were prevalent in this population and they are worsened by poor personal income, unemployment and multi-parity. Interventions and programs to subsidize antenatal care may prevent gestational headaches in this population.

Performance Indicators for Sustainable Cement Production in Nigeria

The cement industry is an intensive energy consuming process with attendant economic benefits and environmental caution. Cement processing comes with economic advantages and environmental implications, like dust and pollutants. Host communities and staff of cement factories are bound to experience and endure this barrage of emissions, which leads to serious health and environmental challenges. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), three cement manufacturing companies in Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria were investigated to determine how best they conform to industry best practices. Fifteen criteria were identified and used for this analysis. Results show that COMPANY B is operating at acceptable standards while COMPANY A should consider improving on safety, spares, emission levels and staff welfare

Portrayal of smoking in Nigerian online videos: a medium for tobacco advertising and promotion?

The Nigerian home video industry, popularly known as Nollywood is a booming industry, with increasing numbers of easily accessible online videos. The aim of this study was to analyse the contents of popular Nigerian online videos to determine the prevalence of smoking imageries and their public health implications. Using specific search terms, popular English language and indigenous Yoruba language, Nigerian home videos uploaded on YouTube in 2013 were identified and sorted based on their view counts. Data on smoking related scenes such as smoking incidents, context of tobacco use, depiction of cigarette brand, gender of smokers and film rating were collected. Of the 60 online videos whose contents were assessed in this study, 26 (43.3%) had scenes with cigarrete smoking imageries. The mean (SD) smoking incident was 2.7 (1.6), giving an average of one smoking incident for every 26 to 27 min of film. More than half (53.8%) of the films with tobacco use had high smoking imageries. An average of 2 characters per film smoked, mostly in association with acts of criminality or prostitution (57.7%) and alcohol use (57.7%). There were scenes of the main protagonists smoking in 73.1% of the films with scenes of female protagonists smoking (78.9%) more than the male protagonists (21.1%). Smoking imageries are common in popular Nigerian online movies. Given the wide reach of online videos, their potential to be viewed by people from different cultures and to negatively influence youngsters, it is important that smoking portrayals in online movies are controlled

Risk and Impact of Inter-ictal Depression on Quality of life of Nigerian Women with Epilepsy of Childbearing Age.

Background: Depression, the most common psychiatry comorbidity in patients with epilepsy is common among women, especially those of reproductive age. Although it could be said that the female gender is a risk factor for depression, the risk of inter-ictal depression and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of women with epilepsy (WWE) has not been sufficiently studied among Nigerians. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional case–control study, data were collected from 70 women (29 WWE and 41 women without epilepsy) within the age range ≥18 and ≤55 between July 2010 and March 2011. A questionnaire that includes items-related to demographic information, becks depression inventory-II (BDI-II) and QoL inventory in epilepsy-31 was used for data collection. Result: WWE had a significantly higher BDI-II score (P = 0.001). The frequency of depression was 37.9% in WWE and 4.9% among controls. (Odds ratio 11.9). WWE had poorer QoL score than the control (P ≤ 0.001). Depressed WWE had poorer total QoL (P = 0.007) as well as poorer emotional well-being ( Conclusion: Depression is prevalent in this sample of Nigerian WWE of childbearing age with significant impact on their total QoL, emotional well-being and social function. Regular screening for depression among this population of PWE is imperative. Rational drug management as well as non-pharmacological treatment of depressed WWE is emphasized

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Psychological Ill-Health and Health-Seeking Behavior in a Population of Nigerian Medical Students

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with considerable morbidity and profound negative impact on quality of life. It has been observed that patients with psychological disturbances relate more frequently with the symptoms of IBS, and they have more debilitating illness than control populations. We examined the prevalence of IBS among a population of Nigerian medical students and its association with two common psychological conditions (anxiety and depression). Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, we enrolled 321 consenting medical students aged 20 to 50 years. A 34-item self-reporting questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, the Rome III IBS questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two IBS-related health-seeking behaviour questions was administered to the participants. Statistical analysis was done with the IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. Results: A total of 320 participants were included in the analyses. The mean age of the participants was 26.3 ±4.1 years. The prevalence of IBS among the medical students was 14.4%, and IBS-M was the predominant subtype (58.7%). IBS had a significant relationship with the female gender [OR =2.19 (95% CI, 1.14 – 4.22), P =0.019] and anxiety [OR 1.18 (95% CI, 1.061.32), P =0.003]. The disease showed no significant association with other risk factors considered. IBS health-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with depression [OR = 8.89(95% CI, 1.66 - 47.51), P\u3c0.001]. Conclusion: IBS is moderately prevalent among our study population, and it is positively associated with the female gender and anxiety

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Psychological Ill-Health and Health-Seeking Behavior in a Population of Nigerian Medical Students

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with considerable morbidity and profound negative impact on quality of life. It has been observed that patients with psychological disturbances relate more frequently with the symptoms of IBS, and they have more debilitating illness than control populations. We examined the prevalence of IBS among a population of Nigerian medical students and its association with two common psychological conditions (anxiety and depression). Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, we enrolled 321 consenting medical students aged 20 to 50 years. A 34-item self-reporting questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, the Rome III IBS questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two IBS-related health-seeking behaviour questions was administered to the participants. Statistical analysis was done with the IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. Results: A total of 320 participants were included in the analyses. The mean age of the participants was 26.3 ±4.1 years. The prevalence of IBS among the medical students was 14.4%, and IBS-M was the predominant subtype (58.7%). IBS had a significant relationship with the female gender [OR =2.19 (95% CI, 1.14 – 4.22), P =0.019] and anxiety [OR 1.18 (95% CI, 1.061.32), P =0.003]. The disease showed no significant association with other risk factors considered. IBS health-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with depression [OR = 8.89(95% CI, 1.66 - 47.51), P\u3c0.001]. Conclusion: IBS is moderately prevalent among our study population, and it is positively associated with the female gender and anxiety

Psychiatrists’ attitude to medical use of marijuana in Nigeria

The medical use of marijuana has been on the forefront of public debates in many developed countries. Despite increasing evidence of marijuana’s addictive propensity and its potential for causing and worsening psychotic illness in predisposed individuals, public opinion continue to fuel efforts to legalize the medical use of marijuana in many countries. Though receiving growing acceptance in developed countries, little is known about attitude of mental health professionals in developing countries where it is still an illegal drug. A survey of opinion of psychiatrists and psychiatrists – in – training in 2 specialist psychiatric hospitals was conducted using a convenient sampling technique in July 2015. The questionnaire included items on socio-demographic characteristics and a single item “Should the medical use of marijuana be encouraged in this country? The response has 3 options ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘Undecided’. Fifty eight respondents comprising 21 (36.2%) psychiatrists and 37 (63.8%) psychiatrists – in – training participated in the survey, giving a response rate of 83%. Thirty- two (55.2%) respondents gave “No” answer to the question, 18 (31%) answered “Yes” while 8(13.8%) were “undecided”. There is a significant relationship between respondent’s age and a negative attitude to medical use of marijuana, with higher prevalence of “No” response among respondents less than 40years of age. This survey found that most psychiatrists and psychiatrists – in –training will not encourage medical use of marijuana in Nigeria, this observation has policy implication in healthcare service delivery. We recommend further research to explore reasons behind current position of psychiatrists on this issue.Keywords: Medical Marijuana; Psychiatrists; psychiatrist-in training; Nigeri