{"title":"The Opinions and Attitudes of Mothers to Mental Retardation in Lagos, Nigeria.","authors":"F. Abasiubong, A. Obembe, M. Ekpo","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39917","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39917","url":null,"abstract":"Background Mental retardation is a chronic and permanent disorder occurring during developmental period of life. The uncertainty of the future and independent\u0000existence result in negative attitudes toward the affected children. An increased burden of care leading to emotional and psychological distress among parents. Aim The objective of the study was to assess mothers for attitudes, beliefs and behavioural response to mental\u0000retardation. Method One hundred and twenty six mothers of children with mental retardation in a mentally handicapped centre for children in Lagos were invited and screened for attitudes and opinion using Attitude Scale, between March and May 2002. \u0000Results Of the 126 mothers invited, 106 (84.1%) took part in the study, the mean age was 40.0 ± 6.6 years; 37(35.0%) attributed the cause of mental retardation to evil\u0000spirits or witchcrafts, 19 (17.9%) to diabolical powers of father/mother in-laws, 14 (13.2%) blamed spouses and 11 (10.4%) believed in natural causes while 5 (4.7%) viewed it\u0000as due their faults. Majority, 79 (74.5%) still preferred to have more children in spite of having children with mental retardation; 9 (8.5%) of mothers exhibited depressed\u0000feelings and 3 (2.8%) thought of doing away with (killing) the children.\u0000Conclusion There is an increased pervasive attitude to children with mental retardation. Therefore, efforts aimed at changing parental and by extension societal attitudes\u0000toward these children are necessary for their care and survival. There is also need for government and charitable organizations to reach-out to parents of these children so as\u0000to reduce the associated burden and sufferings among them. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (2) 2008: pp. 80-85","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"70 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123217108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Health and Behavioural Problems Of Children Orphaned By AIDS As Reported By Their Caregivers In Abuja, Nigeria","authors":"B. Olley","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39915","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39915","url":null,"abstract":"Background Existing literatures in the West and Sub- Saharan Africa have suggested that children orphaned by AIDS are vulnerable to health and behaviour problems.\u0000Aim The aim of the study was to describe the health and behavioural characteristics of children orphaned by AIDS in Abuja by comparing them with a matched non-orphan group.\u0000Method The study was a cross sectional control study. The Rutter Scale A, parents' version, was given to caregivers of orphans under the social and educational rehabilitation programme of the Gede Foundation which is a nongovernmental organisation based in Abuja. A comparison group of non-orphans were also given the same questionnaire to fill and indicate the extent to which each statement applies to their child/ward. The caregivers also filled a questionnaire that assessed negative life events and their mental health status.\u0000Results AIDS orphans were more likely to have probable childhood mental disorder than non-orphans. Orphans were more likely than non-orphans to complain of headaches, bed\u0000wet, and more likely to arrive from school with tears. AIDS orphans more frequently exhibited behaviour problems such as frequent fighting, restlessness, disobedience, were not much liked by other children, worried about many things, often appeared unhappy, unable to settle down to tasks, often told lies and more likely to bully other children. Also,\u0000caregivers of orphans were often poorly educated and significantly more likely to report negative life events and increased mental health problems. Caregivers' mental health\u0000status and negative life events was found to predict a probable mental disorder in the orphans. Conclusion AIDS orphans in Nigeria are vulnerable to mental disorder. Implementing a psychosocial-based paediatric-centred intervention to address these behavioural problems may help to increase the psychological adjustment\u0000required when a parent is lost. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (2) 2008: pp. 70-75","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"58 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121970264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Creativity, Mental Disorder, and the Family: is creativity an advantage or a genetic flaw?","authors":"O. Olugbile","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39911","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I2.39911","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Discussions in popular culture as well as the themes in some films and books tend to suggest that psychosis may be associated with artistic inspiration. As\u0000evidence, the proponents of this standpoint have claimed that there is a rather frequent occurrence of mental disorder among artists, musicians and other creative persons. This\u0000paper represents an attempt to sift fact from fiction in this matter and come up with an evidence-based perspective. Method: The history of study of the mental health associations of creativity is summarised. The literature is reviewed and the most important among the recent work on the subject are highlighted. There have not been a lot of quantitative studies on this subject, which also has the effect of eliciting strong emotions\u0000among the protagonists of different standpoints. Conclusion: The weight of evidence points to a definite association between creative talent and affective illness. It\u0000would appear that creativity find its best expression when the illness is well controlled, as well as in members of the same family who are not actively ill. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (2) 2008: pp. 51-53","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"153 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115764195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving the effectiveness of our Journal Clubs","authors":"M. Esisi","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.67155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.67155","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"11624 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116692297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Disorders Of Sexual Preference Among Secondary School Teachers In Ilorin, Nigeria","authors":"A. B. Makanjuola, O. Adegunloye, M. Adelekan","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39907","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39907","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In Nigeria, there is a dearth of data on Disorders of Sexual Preference (DSP), which is due to the unwillingness by most people to volunteer information on such issues. In spite of this, anecdotal evidence suggests strongly that DSP exist in Nigeria.\u0000\u0000Aims and objectives: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of DSP in a sample of teachers in Ilorin, Nigeria.\u0000\u0000Method: Using a stratified random sampling method, all eligible and consenting respondents were interviewed. A pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire containing items on sociodemographic and clinical variables and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30) were used for the interview. \u0000\u0000Results: From a sampling frame of 2,176 teachers, 450 teachers were interviewed but only 408 responses were analyzable. Eighty-nine respondents had ICD-10 compatible DSP giving a combined prevalence rate of 21.8%. The commonest disorder was voyeurism (9.6%) while the least common were paedophilia (0.98%), and exhibitionism (0.74%). Generally, DSP were significantly associated with increased age, male gender, and psychiatric caseness (GHQ score of 4 and above). \u0000\u0000Conclusion: DSP may not be as rare in Nigeria as currently perceived. Efforts should therefore be made to increase their level of recognition by the public and medical personnel and to encourage those affected to access available help in appropriate treatment facilities.\u0000 Keywords : Sexual Preference, Disorders, Secondary School Teachers, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 26-30","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132200225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Childhood Developmental Disorders: An Overview, Psychometric Assessment and Problems of Management in Nigeria","authors":"O. Aina","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39905","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39905","url":null,"abstract":"Developmental disorders are reported to be on the increase worldwide; with figures as high as 17% prevalence rate reported from advanced countries of the world. Despite the dearth of epidemiological data from sub-saharan Africa, higher figures are expected due to numerous health problems that can possibly affect the brain of the growing child. Thus, this paper aims to highlight a number of constraints that hinder the management of developmental disorders in Nigeria. \u0000\u0000Materials and Methods: \u0000A search was conducted through publications on developmental disorders with particular emphasis on local studies. The search cuts across the various specialties involved in the management of developmental disorders.\u0000\u0000Results:\u0000Developmental disorders continue to pose serious management challenge in Nigeria. Few but very important ones include the dearth of both investigative and rehabilitative facilities; as well as grossly inadequate number of professionals in the management of these problems.\u0000\u0000Conclusion:\u0000Consequent to the lack of curative treatment, preventive measures such as improved Primary Health Care most especially the Maternal and Child Health component is advocated which will no doubt greatly minimize the prevalence of these problems.\u0000 Keywords : Developmental Disorders; Overview; Management Problems; Nigeria Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 16-20","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"64 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134006888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Child Rearing Practices in Nigeria: Implications for Mental Health","authors":"O. Omigbodun, M. Olatâwura","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39904","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39904","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding traditional child rearing practices in the Sub-Saharan African region and the changes that have occurred over time are important, especially as this region is undergoing rapid transformation. Child rearing practices that promote mental health and ensure survival through the years as well as negative aspects that have detrimental effects also need to be identified. Concerns about the breakdown in traditional child rearing practices in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as the inadequate use of information on child rearing practices for programme creation have been expressed. \u0000\u0000Aim\u0000To identify temporal trends in child rearing practices in Sub-Saharan Africa and their implications for child mental health, using Nigeria as an example. \u0000\u0000Method\u0000Using the literature, temporal trends in child rearing practices and beliefs related to conception, birth, nutrition, weaning, attitudes toward children were examined. The implications of these observations for child mental health are highlighted. \u0000\u0000Results\u0000Cultures in sub-Saharan Africa value children highly. Healthy practices include confinement following delivery, breast feeding, carrying the child on the back and sleeping with the child. Taboos against pregnant women eating nutritious foods, delivery in traditional healers' homes, unhygienic care of the umbilical cord, food taboos, hierarchical or gender biased food distribution have a negative effect on child mental health. There are suggestions that child fostering and labour may also have negative consequences.\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Through policy and aggressive health education, traditional child rearing practices in sub-Saharan Africa that promote child mental health should be encouraged and built into health programmes while negative practices should be actively discouraged. There is also an urgent need for further research.\u0000 Keywords : Child Rearing, Nigeria; Mental Health Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 10-15","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"60 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126264082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reliability and Validity of a Satisfaction Scale in a Nigerian Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic.","authors":"D. Ukpong, S. Mosaku, O. Aloba, B. Mapayi","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39908","url":null,"abstract":"Background :There are no reports from Nigeria of assessment of patients' satisfaction with outpatient psychiatric services. \u0000\u0000Aim:The reliability and preliminary validity of the Charleston Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale (CPOSS) was investigated in a Nigerian population . \u0000\u0000Method:The CPOSS was administered to 220 patients seen at the psychiatric clinics of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital , Ile-Ife, Nigeria. They completed this 15 item self-rated instrument that assesses patient satisfaction with services using a 5 point response format.\u0000\u0000Results:The internal consistency for the scale was high ( a=0.91), and item total correlations ranged between 0.33 to 0.70. Its convergent validity was supported by significant correlations of all items with the overall scale score,with a range of 0.30 to 0.68( Pearson's r). Mean scores for items except “ parking area” ranged from 3.0 to 3.7. Bivariate correlations for all items except item “13” ‘parking' showed significant associations.Seventy one percent of clients rated that they would definitely recommend the service to friends or family members. Subjects were most dissatisfied with time waiting to be seen .\u0000\u0000Conclusions:These results provide preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the scale in a Nigerian outpatient psychiatric clinic service\u0000 Keywords : Patients' Satisfaction Scale, Psychiatric Care, Nigeria Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 31-36","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"64 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114201451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Stanley, E. Asekomeh, U. Osika, A. Nwafor, O. Mokwunye, Ib Ozor
{"title":"Pattern of Serum Electrolytes Changes among Non Psychotic Depressives on Amitriptyline.","authors":"P. Stanley, E. Asekomeh, U. Osika, A. Nwafor, O. Mokwunye, Ib Ozor","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V6I1.39909","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Electrolytes have an extraordinarily central role in biological processes and play an important role in forming the internal environment by which the human nervous system responds to external events. Hence, abnormalities of electrolytes could cause alteration in cellular excitability and produce other biochemical abnormalities. This study investigated the pattern of changes of serum electrolytes in depressive subjects following therapeutic clinical improvement on amitriptyline treatment. \u0000\u0000Method: Serum electrolytes, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, were measured in 30 depressed patients at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt before therapy commenced and after four (4) weeks of amitriptyline. Thirty (30) known non psychotic disordered subjects matched for age and sex were used as control.\u0000\u0000Results: The mean serum sodium in depressed subjects was 130mmol/l and 125mmol/l pre- therapy and four weeks post therapy respectively, while that of controls was 132mmol/l (p 0.05). The mean serum calcium level was 2.2mmol/l in the control group while that of the depressed patients was 2.1 mmol/l both pre-therapy and after fours weeks of use of amitryptiline (p> 0.05). Mean serum magnesium among control subjects was 0.7mmol/l but diminished from 1.2 mmol/l to 1.0 mmol/l in depressed subjects pre-therapy and after four weeks of therapy respectively(p Keywords : Non psychotic depressives, amitryptiline, serum electrolyte Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 37-39","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127749871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative psychiatric morbidity among three groups of health professionals in a Nigerian tertiary health institution.","authors":"A. D. Yussuf","doi":"10.4314/NJPSYC.V5I1.39898","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/NJPSYC.V5I1.39898","url":null,"abstract":"Background Because health professionals have different job schedules and commitments,\u0000they may be differentially susceptible to developing psychological health problems under\u0000similar work environment.\u0000Aims The present study compared the levels of morbidity in 3 groups of health\u0000professionals (Consultants, Residents, and Nurses) identified as having probable\u0000psychiatric morbidity (i.e., score of 4 and above on 30-item GHQ), to ascertain the most\u0000susceptible to psychiatric morbidity among these 3 groups of health professionals, and the\u0000possible risk factors for such susceptibility.\u0000Method This was a cross-sectional survey involving 563 health professionals\u0000(Consultants, Residents, and Nurses) in the employ of University of Ilorin Teaching\u0000Hospital (UITH). Subjects were asked to respond to 2 questionnaires (sociodemographic/\u0000work-related, and the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30)).\u0000Data of respondents with probable psychiatric morbidity (i.e., score of 4 or more on the\u0000GHQ) were analysed using SPSS for Windows version 11, to generate frequency\u0000distributions and cross tabulation. Chi square figures, odd ratios, and relative risk were\u0000calculated; The level of statistical significance was set at 5%.\u0000Results The overall response rate was 71.8% (404/563): by groups it was 69.2% (54/78)\u0000for consultants, 70% (70/100) for residents, and 72.7% (280/385) for nurses. The mean\u0000scores on the 30-item GHQ were 1.76 (SD=2.8), 2.76 (SD=3.8), and 1.58 (SD=2.1) for\u0000consultants, residents, and the nurses respectively. The residents significantly scored\u0000higher than the consultants or nurses on the\u000030-item GHQ (F =5.99, p=0.003).\u0000Ten (18.5%), 18 (25.7%), and 50 (17.9%) with mean scores of 6.7 (SD=1.6), 7.7\u0000(SD=4.7), and 5.2 (SD=2.1) of consultants, residents, and nurses respectively, scored 4 or\u0000more on the 30-item GHQ, and were considered as having probable psychiatric morbidity\u0000(F=5.7, p=0.005).\u0000Apart from other risk factors such as relationships with patients' relatives, job experience,\u0000and unsatisfactory remunerations, the negative effect of work on the residents' family\u0000made them about 18 times more susceptible to developing psychiatric morbidity than\u0000consultants or nurses while female gender made the nurses about 16 times more\u0000susceptible than any of the other 2 professionals.\u0000Conclusion The author therefore advocates establishment of a comprehensive stress\u0000management program in the health institutions, mentoring program to provide\u0000professional and emotional support to residents and other hospital staff, and collaboration\u0000with the Behavioural Sciences (Psychiatric) department, as well as adequate\u0000staffing/equipping of this department. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 31-37","PeriodicalId":422969,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124550401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}