Disability and premorbid adjustment in schizophrenia: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Schizophrenia is highly disabling. Though efforts at genetic mapping to identify those at risk of the illness have been promising but same cannot be said about predicting its associated disability before illness-onset (i.e., during premorbid phase). It is envisaged that Schizophrenia-related disability may be ameliorated if premorbid clinical markers are adequately predictive enough to identify those at risk and worked upon them. Aim: This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between schizophrenia-related disability and premorbid adjustment. Setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the out-patient clinic of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: Three hundred patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and within the age range of 18-64 years were eligible for the study. Results: Mean age of the participants was 41.9 ± 10.05 years with a slight female dominance (50.7%). Spearman's correlation revealed a direct correlation between disability and premorbid adjustment, albeit rather weak (r s = 0.130, p = 0.025). Conclusion: Pre-diagnostic factors such as premorbid functioning may play a role in the subsequent functioning of an individual post-diagnosis. Other research efforts may focus on yet-to-be identified premorbid factors that may be targets of prevention to reduce disability in schizophrenia. Contribution: This research serves as a pioneer work on disability and premorbid adjustment and has provided a template for the early identification of those at risk of schizophrenia by providing an intervention opportunity at the premorbid stage.

Premorbid adjustment amongst outpatients with schizophrenia in a Nigerian psychiatric facility.

BACKGROUND: Studies from developed countries have shown that poor premorbid adjustment in patients with schizophrenia is associated with poor outcome. However, similar studies in developing countries like Nigeria are few despite the stability of schizophrenia prevalence across cultures. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of poor premorbid adjustment amongst outpatients with schizophrenia. SETTING: The Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: The premorbid adjustment of 300 outpatients with schizophrenia was assessed using the premorbid adjustment scale. Pattern and severity of psychosis, overall illness severity, global assessment of functioning and socio-demographic factors were investigated as correlates of premorbid functioning. RESULTS: About half (53.3%) of the respondents had poor premorbid adjustment and most of them were males (56.9%). Poor premorbid adjustment was associated with male gender (χ 2 = 7.81, p = 0.005) whilst good premorbid adjustment was associated with no or borderline illness severity (χ 2 = 8.26, p = 0.016) as well as no or mild impairment in functioning (χ 2 = 7.01, p = 0.029) amongst the respondents. Positive, negative and general symptomatology were predicted by premorbid adjustment at different developmental stages. CONCLUSION: Consistent with existing literature, poor premorbid adjustment was prevalent amongst patients with schizophrenia in this study and was associated with male gender, poorer clinical outcomes and greater illness severity. Mental health promotion and other preventative approaches are recommended as possible early intervention strategies in dealing with schizophrenia.

Prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD) among adolescent patients with epilepsy attending a Nigerian neuropsychiatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of mood disorders exists in patients with epilepsy. In most cases, this is not detected and, consequently, not treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD) among adolescents with epilepsy attending a child and adolescent clinic in Nigeria. METHODS: We recruited 156 participants consecutively for the study. Adherence was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire, while the K-SADS was used to assess the presence of major depressive disorder. Seizure control was evaluated by the frequency of seizures within a year. RESULTS: Major depressive disorder (DSM-IV criteria) was diagnosed in 28.2% of the participants. The age of participants (p=0.013), seizure control (p=0.03), medication adherence (p=0.045), frequency of seizures in the preceding 4weeks (p<0.001), and duration of illness (p<0.001) were all significantly associated with the presence of MDD. Participants with seizures occurring more than once weekly in the preceding 4weeks were 16 times more likely to have a MDD compared with those with no seizures in the preceding 4weeks (p<0.001, 95% C.I. [4.13, 65.43]), while participants with a duration of illness more than 10years were more than four times likely to have MDD compared with those with an illness duration of 5-10years (p<0.01, 95% C.I. [0.07, 0.70]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MDD among patients with epilepsy was high. Poor seizure control, poor medication adherence, and long duration of illness were associated with the presence of MDD among such patients. Intervention should focus on ensuring good seizure control and optimal adherence in order to mitigate the impact of MDD in patients with epilepsy.

Psychiatric Morbidity and Subjective Burden Among Carers of Outpatients of a Psychogeriatric Clinic in Southwestern Nigeria.

Few studies in Nigeria have investigated the burden of caring for elderly persons with mental illness. The aim of this study was to examine psychiatric morbidity and burden of care among caregivers of outpatients of a psychogeriatric clinic. Burden of care was evaluated with Zarit Burden Interview. A questionnaire was also used to elicit caregivers' sociodemographic and caregiving variables while psychological well-being was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Overall, 52.3% had high care burden. High care burden was associated with financial difficulty (χ(2) = 9.37; df = 1; p = 0.002; OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.50-6.4), restrictions on caregivers' social activity (χ(2) = 4.87; df = 1; p = 0.027; OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.09-5.27), lack of support from relatives (χ(2) = 6.85; df = 1; p = 0.009; OR = 6.3; 95% CI = 1.35-29.6), physical health problems (χ(2) = 10.52; df = 1; p = 0.001; OR = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.75-12.7), and psychiatric morbidity (χ(2) = 4.05; df = 1; p = 0.044; OR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.00-6.85). Psychiatric morbidity was predicted by physical health problems (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.1-8.1), financial difficulty (OR = 17.2; 95% CI = 3.8-77.5), and job loss (OR = 5.3; 95% CI = 2.0-13.8). Care burden is a significant problem among caregivers of elderly persons with mental illness attending the clinic. This may have important implications for the mental well-being of the patients.

Disability among patients with schizophrenia: A hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia has been described as the most disabling mental disorder, and patients with schizophrenia have been said to be disabled mostly in self-care, occupation, sexual relation and social relationship domains. Previous authors have studied disability among this study population. However, the limitations of these previous works include non-report of the prevalence rates of disability, report on disability limited to only a particular domain of life and the utilization of disability instruments fraught with significant weaknesses. AIM: To determine the prevalence, severity, domains and correlates of disability among outpatients with schizophrenia at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among three hundred consenting adult outpatients with schizophrenia attending the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Each participant was interviewed with the sociodemographic questionnaire, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. RESULTS: The prevalence of disability was 78% (with 22% having no disability in any of the domains). Most were disabled in the mild to moderate range. Seventy-seven percent (77%) had mild to moderate disability while only 1% had severe disability. Excluding those free of disability, 98.7% of those with disability had mild to moderate form while only 1.3% had severe form. Highest prevalence rates for disability were reported in the 'participation in society' and 'getting along' domains while the lowest rates were reported in the 'activities' (household, work, school) and 'self-care' domains. Of all the sociodemographic and clinical variables explored, only the PANSS positive, negative and total scores demonstrated significant relationships with disability. CONCLUSION: Consistent with existing literature, disability is very prevalent among patients with schizophrenia and it is associated with higher levels of illness severity. Clinicians have a role in limiting disability by focusing on early and comprehensive treatment approaches.

Psychosocial correlates of hazardous alcohol use among undergraduates in southwestern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcohol use and psychological well-being among undergraduates of a Nigerian tertiary institution. The objectives included determining the prevalence and pattern of problematic alcohol use and ascertaining the association between alcohol use and some sociodemographic variables. METHOD: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to evaluate for alcohol-related problems in 443 students of a university in southwestern Nigeria. A questionnaire was also used to obtain data on sociodemographic variables while psychological well-being was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-28. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol use was 40.6% while alcohol-related problems were found in 14.9% of the students using the AUDIT questionnaire with a cutoff score of 5. Heavy episodic alcohol use was reported by 31.1% while alcohol-related injury had occurred in 8.9% of the students. Male gender (χ2=4.54; P<.05), older age (χ2=3.92; P<.05) and higher paternal education (χ2=4.40; P<.05) were associated with problem drinking. In addition, psychological distress was significantly associated with heavy episodic drinking (χ2=9.58; P<.05) and history of alcohol-related injury (χ2=3.96; P<.05). CONCLUSION: The significant relationship between hazardous drinking and mental ill health among undergraduates in the institution suggests the need for integrating mental health services in screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services in Nigerian university settings.

A descriptive survey of types, spread and characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of over 154 million, does not have current data on substance abuse treatment demand and treatment facilities; however, the country has the highest one-year prevalence rate of Cannabis use (14.3%) in Africa and ranks third in Africa with respect to the one-year prevalence rate of cocaine (0.7%) and Opioids (0.7%) use. This study aimed to determine the types, spread and characteristics of the substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a cross sectional survey of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. Thirty-one units were invited and participated in filling an online questionnaire, adapted from the European Treatment Unit/Program Form (June 1997 version). RESULTS: All the units completed the online questionnaire. A large proportion (48%) was located in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. Most (58%) were run by Non-Governmental Organizations. Half of them performed internal or external evaluation of treatment process or outcome. There were a total of 1043 for all categories of paid and volunteer staff, with an average of 33 staff per unit. Most of the funding came from charitable donations (30%). No unit provided drug substitution/maintenance therapy. The units had a total residential capacity of 566 beds. New client admissions in the past one year totalled 765 (mean = 48, median = 26.5, min = 0, max = 147) and 2478 clients received services in the non-residential units in the past year. No unit provided syringe exchange services. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a dearth of substance abuse treatment units (and of funds for the available ones) in a country with a large population size and one of the highest prevalence rates of substance abuse in Africa. The available units were not networked and lacked a directory or an evaluation framework. To provide an environment for effective monitoring, funding and continuous quality improvement, the units need to be organized into a sustainable network.