Kolawole Mosaku

Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Adults with Epilepsy in Nigeria

Objective: Epilepsy is a common condition worldwide and has been observed to affect quality of life (QOL). Though, much has been written on this subject among western populations, little research has been done in developing countries of Africa including Nigeria. The study aims to identify factors associated with quality of life among adult epilepsy patients in this environment. Method: Respondents were evaluated using the 10-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-10), the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), the modified Mini Mental State Examination (mMMSE), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Diagnosis of epilepsy was based on clinical and electroencephalographic findings. Results: The mean age of the 51 respondents was 27.7years (SD = 9.7). Thirteen (25.5%) had an average of 2 seizure episodes in the month preceding the interview, while 37 (72.5%) have had the condition for more than 5 years. Factors that were significantly associated with overall quality of life included being female (p < 0.05), seizure frequency (p < 0.01), using more than 1 anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) (p < 0.01), GHQ-30 score (p < 0.01), high anxiety score (p < 0.001), and high depression score (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that depressive symptoms were the single most important factor explaining low QOL. Other factors were GHQ-30 score, seizure frequency, and being a woman. Conclusion: Controlling seizures and paying attention to the psychological needs of adult epileptics will have a positive effect on the QOL among Nigerian epileptics.

Interictal anxiety and depression symptoms in Nigerians with epilepsy: A controlled study

The goals of this study were to compare symptoms of anxiety and depression between patients with epilepsy and a healthy control group, and to determine the possible factors associated with clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with epilepsy. One hundred and four adult Nigerians (52 with epilepsy and 52 matched healthy controls) were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results obtained indicated a statistically significant difference in anxiety and depression symptoms between patients with epilepsy and controls. The association between anxiety symptoms and polytherapy was significant (P=0.008), as was the association between depression symptoms and duration of epilepsy longer than 10 years (P=0.04). Emotional problems are more common in patients with epilepsy than in the general population. Identifying and monitoring those with epilepsy of long duration and rational prescription of antiepileptic drugs are important in reducing the risk of affective problems.

Depressive Symptoms in a Sample of Women Following Perinatal Loss

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to identify variables associated with depressive symptoms among women shortly after perinatal loss. METHOD Respondents who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed, and sociodemographic data were obtained from them. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) were thereafter administered on each respondent. RESULTS Respondents with perinatal loss had high rate of depressive symptoms (52% on EDPS), the rate was significantly higher, when compared with the control group (chi2 = 10.16, P=0.001). Factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms included previous perinatal losses, poor support from husband and occurrence of antenatal complications. CONCLUSION Depressive reaction following perinatal loss is very common. Programs need to be designed to help these women cope with their loss and to reduce subsequent psychological morbidity.

Psychological reactions to amputation in a sample of Nigerian amputees

OBJECTIVE The study compares psychological symptoms between amputees and other orthopedic patients. METHOD Forty-two consecutive amputees were interviewed between 7 and 28 days after amputation, and an equal number of other orthopedic patients matched for age, sex, marital status, and occupation were used as controls. Each respondent completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, while clinical variables were obtained from the case notes. Respondents also completed the General Health Questionnaire, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Inventory. RESULTS The mean age of amputees in this study was 42.33 years (S.D.=15.89 years), and the average weekly income is #3500.00 (

Caregiver burden in families of patients with depression attending Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospitals complex Ile-Ife Nigeria

29.00). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were high among amputees (64.3% and 59.5%, respectively) compared to other orthopedic patients (14.3% and 12.0%, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that there was significant correlation between anxiety and age (negative), marital status, and level of education, while depressive symptoms significantly correlated significantly with age (negative) and marital status. CONCLUSION Psychological symptoms are high in this sample of amputees, indicating the importance of social and emotional support for these patients.

Sleep quality and psychological distress among undergraduate students of a Nigerian university

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess caregiver burden among relatives of patients on treatment for depressive disorder attending the psychiatry outpatient clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile Ife, Nigeria. METHODS A cross sectional design was used. Hundred caregivers of patients with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression, on outpatient treatment for at least six months were recruited from the psychiatric outpatient clinic. Caregivers completed a semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, the Zarit Burden Interview and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12. Descriptive statistics were used to describe socio-demographic variables; association between dependent and independent variables were assessed using Pearsons correlation, chi squared and t test as appropriate. RESULTS The mean ZBI score was 41.32 (S.D. = 9.82), 45% of respondents reported moderate to severe burden, spouses constituted 57% of caregivers. Age at onset of depression (t = 2.46, P = .02) number of hospitalization,(χ(2) = 9.82, P = 0.001), and current active symptoms (χ(2) = 36.1, P = .001) were all significantly associated with burden score. Severity of symptoms (r = 0.48, P < .01) and age at onset of illness (r = -0.26, P < .01) both correlated significantly with burden scores, while GHQ score among caregivers also correlated significantly with burden scores (r = 0.52, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of depressed patients experience moderate to severe burden. Caring for the depressed need to change from a patient focused approach to a combined patient and caregiver approach.

Psychopathology among a sample of hearing impaired adolescents.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the sleep quality of undergraduate students in a Nigerian University, to determine its association with psychological distress, and to evaluate some of the factors associated with poor sleep quality among the students. Methods: It is a descriptive cross‐sectional study conducted among the undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‐Ife. The multistage sampling method was used to select 520 study participants, and a self‐administered instrument including a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, General Health Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety‐Depression Scale was administered. Results: Out of 520 students who gave consent to participate in the study, 505 students (97.1%) returned a fully‐completed questionnaire. Half of the students (50.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45.7‐54.5%) had poor sleep quality, with a minority (5.7%) taking sleep medications at least once or twice a week. About one‐fourth (24.4%; 95% CI, 21.7‐27.1%)) had psychological distress. Among the demographic factors, the year of study (χ2 = 13.80 [P < .01]) had significant association with poor sleep quality. Presence of psychological distress and symptoms of depression and anxiety were also significantly associated with poor sleep quality. The year of study, psychological distress, and anxiety symptoms were significant predictors of poor sleep quality among the students. Conclusion: The strong association between psychological distress and quality of sleep further underscores the benefit of advocating for habits that can improve optimal mental health and sleep quality among the undergraduate students.

Implications of Psychosocial Factors as Precipitant of Asthma Attack Among a Sample of Asthmatics

Hearing impairment is a recognized cause of emotional and psychological disturbances worldwide, however little is known about this condition in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of psychopathology between hearing impaired adolescents and healthy adolescents. Students attending two special schools for the hearing impaired were assessed for psychopathology with the help of a trained signer and their teacher, using the International Classification of Diseases Diagnostic Criteria (ICD 10). Fifty two hearing impaired students and 52 age and sex matched controls from the same school were also interviewed using the same instrument. The mean age of the hearing impaired students was 16 (sd=3.8), while for the controls the mean age was 16 (sd=2.5). Psychopathology was present in 10 (19%) of the hearing impaired adolescents compared to 2 (4%) among the control group, this difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=4.62 p=0.03). The most common diagnosis was generalized anxiety disorder 4 (8%), followed by depression 2 (4%). Years spent in school (t=4.81, p=0.001), primary guardian (χ(2)=18.3, p=0.001) and mean income of guardian (t=7.10, p=0.001) were all significantly different between the two groups. Psychopathology is relatively common in this population. Proper assessment and treatment should be made available for this population group. A limitation to this study is communication difficulty which made only a third party assessment possible; this may affect the generalizability of the findings.

Sleep Hygiene Index: Psychometric Characteristics and Usefulness as a Screening Tool in a Sample of Nigerian Undergraduate Students

Objective. To explore the relationship between psychosocial factors and asthma. Methods. One hundred consecutive asthmatics were screened using the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), Present state examination (PSE) and a socio-demographic schedule incorporating psychosocial variables. Chi-squared test, student “t” test and discriminant analysis were used in analysis. Results. Among the asthmatics studied 36% had psychopathology. Psychosocial variables significantly associated with psychopathology include worrying, crying, fighting, anger, marital tension, and menstruation. The presence of multiple psychosocial variables was significantly associated with psychopathology. Conclusion. Psychosocial variables predict the presence of psychopathology.

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

STUDY OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to investigate the psychometric properties of the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) and determine its capacity to screen for poor sleep quality in a nonclinical sample of Nigerian university students. METHODS A total of 348 students appropriately completed the SHI, the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS The internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) of the SHI was .64 and its construct validity was modestly satisfactory. It had a significant negative correlation with the MEQ (r = -.170, P < .001) and positive correlations with global PSQI (r = .289, P < .001) and ESS (r = .219, P < .001) scores. Prior to the factor analysis, our sample was randomly divided into two. In one half of the sample (sample 1), exploratory factor analysis of the SHI items yielded a three-factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis on the other half (sample 2) corroborated this model with satisfactory indices of fitness (c2 = 67.805; df = 55; c2/df = 1.233; P = .115; goodness of fit index = .943; Tucker-Lewis index = .958; incremental fit index = .972; comparative fit index = .970; root mean square error of approximation = .037). A cutoff total score of 16 on the SHI had the best sensitivity (77.0%) and specificity (47.5%) to identify students who were categorized as experiencing poor sleep quality, according to the PSQI (area under the curve = 0.65, 95% confidence interval = 0.59-0.71). CONCLUSIONS The SHI exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties as a self-rated assessment instrument in the evaluation of sleep hygiene and as a screening instrument for poor sleep quality among Nigerian undergraduate students.