Antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and its association with psychosocial factors in Nigeria: comparative study of sexual minority and heterosexual men living with HIV.

Sexual minority men (gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; SMM) in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to heterosexual men. There is a dearth of research on the correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence and correlates in both groups. The current study examined the associations of ART non-adherence with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics among a sample of Nigerian heterosexual and SMM. Between March and September 2014, we surveyed 120 SMM and 108 heterosexual men receiving ART in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. We specified univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine correlates of ART non-adherence. We found that 50.8% and 29.6% of sexual minority and heterosexual men respectively self-reported ART non-adherence which was significantly associated with psychosocial factors such as stigma, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. Mental health care and psychosocial support should be incorporated into routine HIV care for Nigerian SMM living with HIV.

Psychometric Adaptation of the Beck Hopelessness Scale as a Self-Rated Suicide Risk Screening Instrument Among Nigerian University Students.

BACKGROUND: Globally, suicide is the most important cause of mortality among adolescents and young adults. The factor that correlates most significantly with suicide is hopelessness. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to explore the psychometric adaptation of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) as a suicide risk evaluation tool among Nigerian university students. DESIGN: A total of 554 Nigerian students completed the BHS and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Suicide risk level among them was determined by interviewing them with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Suicidality module. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the 16-item BHS was 0.87. It exhibited satisfactory concurrent validity with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Suicidality module and the subscales of the DASS among the students. The 2-factor model of the BHS-16 exhibited satisfactory indices of fitness (goodness of fit index = 0.930; parsimonious goodness of fit index = 0.601; comparative fit index = 0.934; incremental fit index = 0.936; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.910; root mean square error of approximation = 0.059; χ2/ df = 1.9). Receiver operating characteristics curve indicated that the best cutoff score for those categorized as high suicide risk was 7 (sensitivity 0.700, specificity 0.908, AUC = 0.897). CONCLUSIONS: The BHS has satisfactory psychometric properties as a suicide risk screening tool among Nigerian university students.

Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence during COVID-19 pandemic among Nigerian adults.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to determine the prevalence, pattern, and associated sociodemographic, psychosocial, and COVID-19-related factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) during the COVID-19 pandemic among Nigerian adults. METHOD: We conducted an online survey among Nigerian adults (n = 994, aged 18-72 years) who completed the HARK questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression was carried out with presence or absence of IPV as the outcome variable. RESULTS: Prevalence of IPV among women was 57.5%, while it was 42.5% among men, during the COVID-19 pandemic. IPV was significantly associated with younger age; having no children; increased threat of income due to COVID-19; anxiety; depression; reduced frequency of accessing COVID-19 updates via TV, radio, and news outlet; self-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms; and self-reported impact of COVID-19 on recreation. A high monthly income, presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, threat of COVID-19 to income, and self-reported impact of COVID-19 on recreation increased the odds of experiencing IPV. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the experience of IPV among adult Nigerians. The implications of our findings are that both men and women were affected by IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modalities for reducing IPV and its aftermath among this population should include online psychosocial support measures, which may offer anonymity and reduced stigma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria.

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (11.8%) compared to men (6.1% and 0.8% respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

A commentary on the Nigerian response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this commentary, we review the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and how aspects of the socioeconomic context and responses from the government and general public may contribute to its persistence. We also suggest mechanisms for the adverse mental health impacts of the pandemic and highlight the need for data and strengthening social infrastructure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).