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1.
S Afr J Psychiatr ; 28: 1791, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35547105

ABSTRACT

Background: Treatment guidelines recommend the use of antipsychotic monotherapy at effective doses for the treatment of schizophrenia, although about a third of the sufferers still receive high-dose antipsychotic treatment. Current evidence suggests that high-dose antipsychotic prescription (HDAP) not only fails to improve outcomes but also increases side effects. Aim: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of HDAP and its association with illness severity, medication adherence behaviour and side effects amongst outpatients with schizophrenia. Setting: The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin-City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 320 attendees with schizophrenia at the outpatient department was undertaken. We administered a sociodemographic and antipsychotic medication questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effects Rating Scales and Medication Adherence Rating Scales. High-dose antipsychotic prescription was determined by the ratio of prescribed daily dose to defined daily dose greater than 1.5. Results: The prevalence of HDAP was 38.4%. Greater severity of illness, experiencing more side effects and poor medication adherence were significantly associated with HDAP.The major predictors of HDAP were antipsychotic polypharmacy and concurrent anticholinergic use. Conclusion: We conclude that although the use of HDAP amongst patients with schizophrenia remains common, its persistent use should be discouraged.

2.
Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med ; 12(1): e1-e7, 2020 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32634018

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is common, although prevalence and correlates amongst pregnant women in developing countries are poorly researched. AIM: To identify the magnitude of IPV, and its relationship with psychiatric morbidity and partner alcohol use. SETTING: This study was conducted among women receiving routine ante-natal care at a secondary level healthcare facility in southern Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by recruiting pregnant women (n = 395) attending the Ante-Natal Clinic of the Central Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria, between August 2015 and February 2016 and undertaking face-to-face interviews utilising a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Composite Abuse Scale and the 20-item Self-reporting Questionnaire. RESULTS: Past 12-month prevalence of IPV was 24.8%, with emotional abuse being the commonest type (89.8%). Forty-six participants (11.6%) screened positive for probable psychiatric morbidity. Predictors of IPV included partner alcohol use in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-6.16; p 0.02), having a psychiatric morbidity (aOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.27-5.04; p 0.01), being single (aOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.25-3.58; p 0.01) and multiparous (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.43-4.38; p 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intimate partner violence was common amongst pregnant women in Nigeria. Identified modifiable risk factors can be targets for screening and intervention for women in these settings.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Crime Victims/psychology , Intimate Partner Violence , Mental Disorders/complications , Pregnancy Complications/psychology , Pregnant Women , Sexual Partners , Adolescent , Adult , Anxiety/complications , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/complications , Developing Countries , Emotional Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Intimate Partner Violence/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria , Pregnancy , Pregnant Women/psychology , Stress, Psychological/complications , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
3.
Niger Postgrad Med J ; 27(1): 30-36, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32003359

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend antipsychotic monotherapy as the ideal treatment option in pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, though this yields modest outcomes in a third of patients. Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) has been tried in many patients with schizophrenia to improve outcomes in those with poor treatment response. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the pattern of antipsychotic prescription and polypharmacy among outpatient attendees with schizophrenia in a Nigerian psychiatric hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 320 attendees with schizophrenia at the consultant outpatient department was undertaken. We administered a socio-demographic questionnaire, antipsychotic medication and health questionnaire to record the general health indices and the prescribed antipsychotic medication of participants and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Version 6.0 (psychosis module). RESULTS: Oral second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) monotherapy was most commonly prescribed. The prevalence of APP was 50.9%. Participants on simultaneous anticholinergic agents (P < 0.001), a twice-daily antipsychotic dosing interval (P < 0.001,) alcohol use (P = 0.02), antidepressant use (P = 0.02) and a current episode of schizophrenia on the MINI (P < 0.001) were more likely to be on an APP regimen. CONCLUSION: Although a preference for SGA monotherapy was observed, the prevalence of APP remained high. Clinicians, therefore, should be cautious regarding the clinical utility of APP and discourage its persistent use.


Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents , Polypharmacy , Schizophrenia , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Nigeria , Outpatients , Schizophrenia/drug therapy
4.
Article in English | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1257722

ABSTRACT

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is common, although prevalence and correlates amongst pregnant women in developing countries are poorly researched. Aim: To identify the magnitude of IPV, and its relationship with psychiatric morbidity and partner alcohol use. Setting: This study was conducted among women receiving routine ante-natal care at a secondary level healthcare facility in southern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by recruiting pregnant women (n = 395) attending the Ante-Natal Clinic of the Central Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria, between August 2015 and February 2016 and undertaking face-to-face interviews utilising a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Composite Abuse Scale and the 20-item Self-reporting Questionnaire. Results: Past 12-month prevalence of IPV was 24.8%, with emotional abuse being the commonest type (89.8%). Forty-six participants (11.6%) screened positive for probable psychiatric morbidity. Predictors of IPV included partner alcohol use in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16­6.16; p < 0.02), having a psychiatric morbidity (aOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.27­5.04; p < 0.01), being single (aOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.25­3.58; p < 0.01) and multiparous (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.43­4.38; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Intimate partner violence was common amongst pregnant women in Nigeria. Identified modifiable risk factors can be targets for screening and intervention for women in these settings


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Intimate Partner Violence , Nigeria , Pregnancy , Psychiatry
5.
S Afr J Psychiatr ; 25: 1392, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31745440

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Individuals with schizophrenia in low- and middle-income countries and their caregivers face multiple barriers to care-seeking and continuous engagement with treatment services. Identifying specific barrier patterns would aid targeted interventions aimed at improving treatment access. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria. SETTING: This study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinics of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a dyad of persons with schizophrenia and caregivers (n = 161) attending outpatient services at a neuro-psychiatric hospital in Nigeria. Stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers were assessed using the 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE) scale. RESULTS: Lack of insight, preference for alternative care, illness severity and financial constraints were common barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia. Females were significantly more likely to report greater overall treatment barrier (p < 0.01) and stigma-related barriers (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study shows that attitudinal barriers impede care access and engagement among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria.

6.
Niger Postgrad Med J ; 26(4): 211-215, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31621660

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence suggests that rates of drug use and abuse in Nigeria exceed the global average. There is a strong treatment demand for psychoactive drug use disorders in Nigeria; however, it is not known whether available treatment facilities are attending to the array of treatment needs. This audit compares the pattern of presentations at a tertiary facility with a community-based survey. METHODS: A review of cases (n = 212) seen at a regional drug treatment facility over a 4-year period, using local data retrieved from the Nigerian Epidemiological Network of Drug Use (NENDU) and comparison with data from the recently published national drug use survey. RESULTS: Nine out of ten clients seen were male (93.4%). About half (49.5%) of the clients used psychoactive substances for the first time between ages 10 and 19 years. Cannabis was the primary drug of use overall and also among males, while females were more likely to present with opiate abuse. Over half had a co-occurring physical or mental disorder, and a minority had received testing for hepatitis C in the past 12 months. CONCLUSION: Although patterns of drug abuse presentations were consistent with findings from a national community-based survey, there was an under-representation of females in treatment. Implications for policy development and practice are discussed.


Subject(s)
Illicit Drugs/adverse effects , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Patients/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Child , Comorbidity/trends , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals, Psychiatric , Humans , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Length of Stay/trends , Male , Marijuana Abuse/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Patients/psychology , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic Factors , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
7.
Perspect Psychiatr Care ; 55(4): 538-545, 2019 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30171699

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To ascertain the relationship between HIV-related stigma and suicidality among people living with HIV receiving care at a hospital in Nigeria. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred and ten participants were administered a socio-demographic and clinical history questionnaire, the 40-item Berger's HIV-stigma scale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose suicidality and depression in a cross-sectional study. FINDINGS: Fifty-four (13.2%) reported suicidality; suicidal ideation was commonest and suicide plans least, in the month preceding the study. Higher suicidality risk was significantly associated with stigma (P < 0.001) and major depressive disorder ( P < 0.001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Suicidality is common and is associated with HIV-related stigma.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology , HIV Infections/psychology , Suicide/psychology , Adult , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depressive Disorder, Major/epidemiology , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Secondary Care , Suicidal Ideation , Suicide/statistics & numerical data
8.
Article in English | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1270884

ABSTRACT

Background: Individuals with schizophrenia in low- and middle-income countries and their caregivers face multiple barriers to care-seeking and continuous engagement with treatment services. Identifying specific barrier patterns would aid targeted interventions aimed at improving treatment access.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria.Setting: This study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinics of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study of a dyad of persons with schizophrenia and caregivers (n = 161) attending outpatient services at a neuro-psychiatric hospital in Nigeria. Stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers were assessed using the 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE) scale.Results: Lack of insight, preference for alternative care, illness severity and financial constraints were common barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia. Females were significantly more likely to report greater overall treatment barrier (p < 0.01) and stigma-related barriers (p < 0.02).Conclusion: This study shows that attitudinal barriers impede care access and engagement among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria


Subject(s)
Caregivers , Hospitals, Psychiatric , Nigeria
9.
Chem Senses ; 43(7): 503-513, 2018 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29955865

ABSTRACT

Olfaction plays an important role in human social communication, including multiple domains in which people often rely on their sense of smell in the social context. The importance of the sense of smell and its role can however vary inter-individually and culturally. Despite the growing body of literature on differences in olfactory performance or hedonic preferences across the globe, the aspects of a given culture as well as culturally universal individual differences affecting odor awareness in human social life remain unknown. Here, we conducted a large-scale analysis of data collected from 10 794 participants from 52 study sites from 44 countries all over the world. The aim of our research was to explore the potential individual and country-level correlates of odor awareness in the social context. The results show that the individual characteristics were more strongly related than country-level factors to self-reported odor awareness in different social contexts. A model including individual-level predictors (gender, age, material situation, education, and preferred social distance) provided a relatively good fit to the data, but adding country-level predictors (Human Development Index, population density, and average temperature) did not improve model parameters. Although there were some cross-cultural differences in social odor awareness, the main differentiating role was played by the individual differences. This suggests that people living in different cultures and different climate conditions may still share some similar patterns of odor awareness if they share other individual-level characteristics.


Subject(s)
Olfactory Perception/physiology , Smell/physiology , Social Behavior , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Metacognition/physiology , Middle Aged , Models, Theoretical , Odorants , Social Norms , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
10.
Trends Psychiatry Psychother ; 40(2): 85-92, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29768528

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Assessing adherence in schizophrenia facilitates interventions that optimize outcomes. Adherence rating questionnaires are feasible and non-intrusive; however, no validated measure exists in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the 10-item Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with schizophrenia (n=230). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for the Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) and the MARS were all administered by an interviewer. RESULTS: The MARS demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.76). The scale was reducible to a 3-factor construct (1 - medication adherence behavior, 2 - attitude to taking medications, and 3 - negative side effects and attitude to psychotropics), with significant though weak external validity in relation to psychopathology (p<0.001) and insight (p<0.001). The first factor showed good internal consistency (α=0.80), comprising six items that could serve as a reliable proxy measure of adherence in place of the MARS. CONCLUSION: The MARS demonstrated fair psychometric characteristics in assessing adherence in patients with schizophrenia in this cohort. The scale may be useful in the dimensional assessment of medication adherence for schizophrenia in sub-Saharan African settings.


Subject(s)
Medication Adherence , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Interview, Psychological , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Schizophrenic Psychology , Self Concept , Young Adult
11.
Niger Postgrad Med J ; 25(1): 8-12, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29676338

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the prevalence, patterns and feasibility of screening for psychoactive substance use among pregnant women in an antenatal clinic in Nigeria. It also aimed to determine the relationship between psychoactive substance use risk severity and psychiatric morbidity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 395 pregnant women previously booked for ante-natal care. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Test (ASSIST) and the 20-item self-reporting questionnaire-20 were interviewer administered. The t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the relationship between substance use risk severity of probable psychiatric symptoms and lifetime use of psychoactive substance/risk severity, respectively. RESULTS: Participants reported lifetime (50.4%) and preceding 3 months (17%) use of alcohol. Nicotine and sedatives use was rare (n = 2; 0.5%). About a tenth (11.6%) screened positive for psychiatric morbidity. Those reporting alcohol use were significantly more likely to report a greater severity of probable psychiatric symptoms (1.79 vs. 0.92; t = 3.43, P < 0.002). Significant differences were observed according to severity of risk (moderate risk [2.08] vs. low risk [1.72] vs. never used [0.92], F = 6.043, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: ASSIST is feasible screening tool among pregnant women. At least, half of the participants report alcohol use in pregnancy and use was significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Pregnant Women/psychology , Smoking/adverse effects , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Nigeria/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Pregnant Women/ethnology , Prevalence , Psychotropic Drugs/adverse effects , Smoking/epidemiology
12.
Trends psychiatry psychother. (Impr.) ; 40(2): 85-92, Apr.-June 2018. tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-963093

ABSTRACT

Abstract Introduction Assessing adherence in schizophrenia facilitates interventions that optimize outcomes. Adherence rating questionnaires are feasible and non-intrusive; however, no validated measure exists in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the 10-item Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Methods This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with schizophrenia (n=230). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for the Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) and the MARS were all administered by an interviewer. Results The MARS demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.76). The scale was reducible to a 3-factor construct (1 - medication adherence behavior, 2 - attitude to taking medications, and 3 - negative side effects and attitude to psychotropics), with significant though weak external validity in relation to psychopathology (p<0.001) and insight (p<0.001). The first factor showed good internal consistency (α=0.80), comprising six items that could serve as a reliable proxy measure of adherence in place of the MARS Conclusion The MARS demonstrated fair psychometric characteristics in assessing adherence in patients with schizophrenia in this cohort. The scale may be useful in the dimensional assessment of medication adherence for schizophrenia in sub-Saharan African settings.


Resumo Introdução Avaliar adesão ao tratamento na esquizofrenia facilita intervenções que otimizam desfechos. Questionários de avaliação da adesão são factíveis e não intrusivos; no entanto, não há uma medida validada na África subsaariana. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala de 10 itens intitulada Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Métodos Este foi um estudo transversal de uma coorte de pacientes com esquizofrenia (n=230). Um questionário sociodemográfico e os instrumentos Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for the Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) e a MARS foram todos administrados por um entrevistador. Resultados A MARS demonstrou boa confiabilidade (alfa de Cronbach: 0,76). Foi possível reduzir a escala a um construto de 3 fatores (1 - comportamento de adesão à medicação, 2 - atitude em relação a tomar medicação, e 3 - efeitos colaterais negativos e atitude em relação aos psicotrópicos), com validade externa significativa, embora fraca, em relação à psicopatologia (p<0,001) e ao insight (p<0,001). O primeiro fator mostrou boa consistência interna (α=0,80), incluindo seis itens que poderiam servir como uma medida substituta confiável de adesão no lugar da MARS Conclusão A MARS demonstrou características psicométricas satisfatórias ao avaliar adesão em pacientes com esquizofrenia nesta coorte. A escala pode ser útil na avaliação dimensional da adesão ao tratamento para esquizofrenia em contextos africanos subsaarianos.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Young Adult , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Medication Adherence , Psychometrics , Schizophrenic Psychology , Self Concept , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Reproducibility of Results , Cohort Studies , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Interview, Psychological , Middle Aged , Nigeria
14.
Int J Med Educ ; 8: 382-388, 2017 Oct 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29083991

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with perceived stress among medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of students (n=623) selected across eight medical schools in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire obtained socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), other psychoactive drug use (Drug Abuse Screening Test), anxiety/depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) and stress (Perceived Medical School Stress Scale). We performed bivariate analysis using the chi-squared test, t-test and one-way ANOVA, with multiple regression analysis for multivariate testing in analysing the data. RESULTS: Most students reported experiencing medical school stress. Female participants were more likely to perceive medical school as competitive (t(621)=1.17, p=0.003), less likely to see medical school as a threat (t(621)=-2.70, p=0.01) or worry about finances (t(621)=-4.80, p=0.001). Nearly a quarter; 21.3% (n=133) and 28.6% (n=178) reported depression and anxiety symptoms respectively. Approximately 4.2% (n=26) were dependent on alcohol, while 14.1% (n=88) had 'low-risk use' for other psychoactive substances. In the multiple regression model, lack of finance (B=2.881, p=0.001), weak adherence to religious faith (B=2.376, p=0.001), anxiety symptoms (B=-2.231, p=0.002), problematic alcohol use (B=5.196, p=0.001) and choice of study influenced by parents (B=-3.105, p=0.001) were predictors of greater perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students in Nigeria report high levels of stress. Incorporating stress reduction strategies in the medical curriculum, and the input of students in providing feedback regarding the methods and styles of undergraduate medical education is required.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Students, Medical/psychology , Adult , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Curriculum , Depression/epidemiology , Feedback , Female , Humans , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Perception , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Regression Analysis , Schools, Medical , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
16.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol ; 52(8): 989-1003, 2017 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28285452

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There is disregard in the scientific literature for the evaluation of psychiatric in-patient care as rated directly by patients. In this context, we aimed to explore satisfaction of people treated in mental health in-patient facilities. The project was a part of the Young Psychiatrist Program by the Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes. METHODS: This is an international multicentre cross-sectional study conducted in 25 hospitals across 11 countries. The research team at each study site approached a consecutive target sample of 30 discharged patients to measure their satisfaction using the five-item study-specific questionnaire. Individual and institution level correlates of 'low satisfaction' were examined by comparisons of binary and multivariate associations in multilevel regression models. RESULTS: A final study sample consisted of 673 participants. Total satisfaction scores were highly skewed towards the upper end of the scale, with a median total score of 44 (interquartile range 38-48) out of 50. After taking clustering into account, the only independent correlates of low satisfaction were schizophrenia diagnosis and low psychiatrist to patient ratio. CONCLUSION: Further studies on patients' satisfaction should additionally pay attention to treatment expectations formed by the previous experience of treatment, service-related knowledge, stigma and patients' disempowerment, and power imbalance.


Subject(s)
Hospitals, Psychiatric , Mental Disorders/therapy , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Internationality , Male , Middle Aged , Multilevel Analysis , Patient Discharge , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
Ther Adv Psychopharmacol ; 7(1): 3-10, 2017 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28101318

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) among outpatients with schizophrenia attending a tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 250 patients with schizophrenia attending the outpatient clinic of a regional tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria was undertaken. They were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Liverpool University Side Effects Rating Scale (LUNSERS). RESULTS: Of the 250 subjects interviewed, 176 (70.4%) were on APP. APP was significantly associated with higher prescribed chlorpromazine equivalent doses of antipsychotics (p < 0.001), increased frequency of dosing (p < 0.001), negative symptoms (p < 0.01), poorer functioning (p = 0.04) and greater side-effect burden (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The APP rate reported from this study is high. Clinicians should be mindful of its impact on dosage and side-effect profiles as APP use is associated with negative symptoms and poor psychosocial functioning.

18.
Pan Afr Med J ; 28: 284, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29942416

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Caring for a mentally ill family member is a challenging task. Caregivers who are first-degree relatives (FDR) are at a higher risk of experiencing the negative consequences of caregiving. This study was aimed at determining burden of care and its correlates in caregivers who are first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A dyad of 255 patients and caregivers was recruited. A socio-demographic questionnaire was administered to both. The GHQ-12 was used to screen for psychiatric morbidity in the FDRs. Caregiver's burden was assessed with the Zarit Burden Interview. Patients' illness severity and level of functioning were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning scales respectively. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of caregivers and patients were 45.1 ±12.3 and 36.7 ±13.4 years respectively. About 49% of caregivers experienced high burden of care. Older caregiver's age (r = 0.179; p < 0.004) and greater illness severity (r = 0.332; p < 0.0001) in the patient had weak to moderate positive correlation with burden of care. Caregiver's burden also increased with poorer functioning of the patient (r = -0.467 p < 0.0001). Independent predictors of caregiver burden were low level of education of the caregiver (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.27-4.73), psychiatric morbidity in the caregiver (OR 6.74; 95% CI 2.51-18.15) and poor patient functioning (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.27-6.18). CONCLUSION: Caregivers who are first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia experience varying degrees of burden of care during caregiving. Routine screening and early psychological intervention would help to ameliorate these negative consequences of caregiving.


Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Family/psychology , Mass Screening/methods , Schizophrenia/therapy , Adult , Cost of Illness , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenia/physiopathology , Severity of Illness Index , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
19.
Psychiatr Serv ; 68(1): 75-80, 2017 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27582239

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with first-episode psychosis who were seeking treatment at a regional tertiary psychiatric facility for the first time would be more likely to attend their next scheduled clinic visit after receiving short message service (SMS) reminders about the upcoming appointment. METHODS: Two hundred patients seeking treatment for a psychotic episode for the first time were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group by using simple randomization. Both groups received appointment dates on appointment cards, and the intervention group also received SMS text reminders of their appointments. Proportion of missed next appointments was the primary outcome measured. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included in a per-protocol analysis. A majority of them were single and cared for by a first-degree relative. The mean±SD age of the patients was 33.7±11.9 years. The median duration of untreated psychosis was 12 weeks, and the mean score on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was 47.3±12.9 (possible scores range from 13 to 168). Participants who received the SMS reminders were almost twice as likely to attend their appointment compared with the control group. After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables, the analysis showed that receiving an SMS reminder independently reduced the risk of a missed next appointment by 50%. CONCLUSIONS: SMS reminders of appointments were an effective intervention to improve clinic attendance among persons treated for first-episode psychosis at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.


Subject(s)
Appointments and Schedules , Hospitals, Psychiatric/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/therapy , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Outpatients/statistics & numerical data , Reminder Systems/statistics & numerical data , Text Messaging/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria , Young Adult
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