Depression and Associated Factors Among Gay and Heterosexual Male University Students in Nigeria.

Homosexuality is a recognized risk factor for depression in high-income countries; however, there is little research investigating the relationship between depression and sexual orientation in developing countries, especially in Africa. In this first study to investigate psychopathology in sexual minority men in Nigeria, the prevalence rates of depression in Nigerian gay and heterosexual individuals were compared as well as the explanatory power of risk and resilience factors in both groups. Eighty-one gay and 81 heterosexual male university students were, respectively, recruited from the Obafemi Awolowo University. Both groups were assessed for depression and other clinical factors, including alcohol and other substance use, suicidal ideation, and resilience. Gay students were further assessed for sexuality-related variables, including minority stress factors such as internalized homophobia and perceived stigma. The prevalence rates of depression among gay and heterosexual students were, respectively, 16 and 4.9% (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.15-11.82), and this increased likelihood for depression was significantly attenuated by resilience. Clinical factors correlated significantly with depression in both groups, explaining 31% of the variance in depression in gay and heterosexual students, respectively. Sexuality-related variables including internalized homophobia and perceived stigma were further associated with depression in gay students-accounting for a further 14% of the variance of depression in gay students. The findings highlight the importance of minority stress factors in understanding depression among non-heterosexual individuals in a developing country, and the need for further research to investigate the mechanisms of these relationships in such settings.

Public Awareness and Attitude Towards Depression: A Community Based Study Among an Adult Population in Ile-Ife South-Western Nigeria.

Depression has become a global health priority due to its associated burden. However, there is dearth of information regarding the public awareness and attitude towards depression in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the level of public awareness and attitude towards depression in a semi-urban Nigerian community. A cross-sectional study conducted among 240 respondents with mean age of 34.7 years (± 1.2 years). A questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, level of awareness and attitude of people towards depression. While most respondents (72.5%) had heard about depression, it was less recognized as a major mental health problem. Also, most respondents (58.6%) had negative attitudes toward depression. There is low level of awareness of depression as a major health problem among community dwellers in South-western Nigeria and negative attitudes towards the illness also appear prevalent. Therefore, awareness should be improved through public health enlightenment programmes.

Disability assessment as an outcome measure: a comparative study of Nigerian outpatients with schizophrenia and healthy control.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that leads to disability in several aspects of the individual's personal, social, and occupational functioning. This study assesses and compares the level of disability among Nigerian outpatients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study among 100 schizophrenia outpatients with an ICD-10 diagnosis and 100 HC was conducted over a 4-month period. They completed a questionnaire containing the Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-Second Version (WHODAS-II). Symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Student's t tests and Chi-square were used to compare patient with schizophrenia and healthy control. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationships of socio-demographic and clinical variable with disability. RESULTS: The patients with schizophrenia reported greater disability than the HC on most of the disability domains of WHODAS-II. They also reported significantly higher mean Zung's SDS scores than the HC. Depressive symptoms, negative symptoms, and PANSS total were significantly related to all the WHODAS-II domains. The disability summary score was significantly predicted by depressive symptoms, negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia, number of active symptoms (relapse) of schizophrenia, and marital status [F (5, 94) = 23.90, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Schizophrenia is a disabling disorder that affects different aspects of a patient's life. Treatment strategies that target these different aspects may help in reducing disability.

Internalized Homophobia, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Nigerian Gay and Bisexual Men.

Despite high levels of homophobia in Nigeria, no studies have investigated the quality of life (QOL) of Nigerian gay and bisexual (GB) men. The associations between QOL and minority stress may differ from those reported in developed countries and may indicate alternative interventions. This study investigated internalized homophobia (IH) and coping strategies among gay and bisexual men in Nigeria and the relationships with overall QOL. Eighty-nine GB men were recruited with a snowball sampling technique. QOL (outcome), IH (predictor) and coping strategies (covariates) were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Relationships were investigated using linear regression analyses. Participants used adaptive more frequently than maladaptive coping strategies. The relationship between IH and QOL was nonlinear (ß = -0.27, 95% CI = -0.48, -0.06), and the positive component was attenuated by adaptive coping strategies. Adaptive strategies can be reinforced as a therapeutic intervention to improve wellbeing among gay and bisexual men in Nigeria.

Impact of postnatal depression on infants' growth in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of maternal postnatal depression to infant growth and under-nutrition in Africa has not been well studied. This study aims to examine the impact of postnatal depression (PND) on infants' physical growth in the first 9 months of life in Nigeria. METHODS: A longitudinal case controlled study in which 242 women (consisting of 120 depressed and 122 matched non-depressed postpartum women) had their infants' weight and length measured at the 6th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 9th month after delivery. Discontinuation with breastfeeding and illnesses like diarrhoea, persistent vomiting, fever and cough were also recorded at these periods. RESULTS: Infants of depressed mothers had statistically significant poorer growth than infants of non-depressed mothers at the 3rd month (weight OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.30-8.52; length OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.03-10.47) and the 6th month postpartum (weight OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.36-13.20; length OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.18-9.52). Depressed mothers were more likely to stop breastfeeding earlier and their infants more likely to have episodes of diarrhoea and other infectious illnesses. LIMITATIONS: Psychiatric interview was conducted only once (at 6 weeks postpartum), our sample size was moderate and we did not account for mothers who had been depressed in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Prevention of postnatal depression and close monitoring of the growth of infants of depressed mothers should be integrated into maternal and child health policies in this region.

Validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among Nigerian university students.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep-related problems and detection of them remain largely an unidentified public health issue, especially among university students. This study aims to assess the validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among Nigerian university students. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty students completed the PSQI, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and questionnaires pertaining to socio-demographic details. The students were then interviewed for the diagnosis of insomnia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV) and the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, revised criteria (ICSD-R). RESULTS: The PSQI was of moderate value in screening for insomnia, with the best cut-off score at 5 (sensitivity 0.720, specificity 0.545, overall correct classification rate 0.554). The correlation between the PSQI and the GHQ-12 was 0.252 (p<0.001). A 3-factor model was generated by principal component analysis. CONCLUSION: The psychometric value of PSQI in screening for insomnia among Nigerian students was moderate compared to what has been obtained in Western cultures. Nonetheless, it is still a useful instrument in the detection of sleep problems in this population.

Depression amongst Nigerian university students. Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of depressive disorder among university students in Western Nigeria. METHODS: A representative sample of students living in the halls of residence of a federal university (n = 1,206) completed sets of questionnaires on socio-demographic details, problems encountered in the university, alcohol use and smoking. Depressive disorder was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). RESULTS: A total of 101 (8.3%) students met the criteria for depressive disorder with 68 (5.6%) having minor depressive disorder and 33 (2.7%) having major depressive disorder. The factors that were significantly associated with depressive disorders in the students include problems with accommodation (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.79-4.16), very large family size (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.42-5.73), female gender (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.46-3.35), heavy cigarette smoking (OR 3.67, 95% CI 2.23-6.05) and high level of alcohol consumption (OR 9.44, 95% CI 3.32-26.89). CONCLUSIONS: Depression is common among Nigerian university students and significantly associated with sociodemographic factors. An effective model for the prediction of the development of depression in university students need to be developed and evaluated and interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of depression among this population need further research.