scholarly journals Stigmatising attitudes towards the mentally ill: A survey in a Nigerian university teaching hospital

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Ignatius Ukpong ◽  
Festus Abasiubong

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The burden of mental illness is particularly severe for people living in low-income countries. Negative attitudes towards the mentally ill, stigma experiences and discrimination constitute part of this disease burden.</p><p><strong>Objective.</strong> The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of possible causes of mental illness and attitudes towards the mentally ill in a Nigerian university teaching hospital population.</p><p><strong>Method.</strong> A cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 208 participants from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, using the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale. Information was also obtained on beliefs about possible causes of mental illness. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results.</strong> The respondents held strongly negative views about the mentally ill, mostly being authoritarian and restrictive in their attitudes and placing emphasis on custodial care. Even though the respondents appeared to be knowledgeable about the possible role of psychosocial and genetic factors in the causation of mental illness, 52.0% of them believed that witches could be responsible, 44.2% thought mental illness could be due to possession by demons, and close to one-third (30%) felt that it could be a consequence of divine punishment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill are widespread even in a population that is expected to be enlightened. The widespread belief in supernatural causation is likely to add to the difficulties of designing an effective anti-stigma psycho-educational programme. There is a need in Nigeria to develop strategies to change stigma attached to mental illness at both institutional and community levels.</p>

Author(s):  
Jean Paul Mvukiyehe ◽  
Eugene Tuyishime ◽  
Anne Ndindwanimana ◽  
Jennifer Rickard ◽  
Olivier Manzi ◽  
...  

Background: Proper hand hygiene (HH) practices have been shown to reduce healthcare-acquired infections. Several potential challenges in low-income countries might limit the feasibility of effective HH, including preexisting knowledge gaps and staffing. Aim: We sought to evaluate the feasibility of the implementation of effective HH practice at a teaching hospital in Rwanda. Methods: We conducted a prospective quality improvement project in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Kigali University Teaching Hospital. We collected data before and after an intervention focused on HH adherence as defined by the World Health Organization ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ and assuring availability of HH supplies. Pre-intervention data were collected throughout July 2019, and HH measures were implemented in August 2019. Post-implementation data were collected following a 3-month wash-in. Results: In total, 902 HH observations were performed to assess pre-intervention adherence and 903 observations post-intervention adherence. Overall, HH adherence increased from 25% (222 of 902 moments) before intervention to 75% (677 of 903 moments) after intervention (P < 0.001). Improvement was seen among all health professionals (nurses: 19–74%, residents: 23–74%, consultants: 29–76%). Conclusions: Effective HH measures are feasible in an ICU in a low-income country. Ensuring availability of supplies and training appears key to effective HH practices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onyinye Hope CHIME ◽  
Chinonyelu Jennie ORJI ◽  
Edmund Onyemaechi NDIBUAGU ◽  
SussanUzoamaka ARINZE-ONYIA ◽  
Tonna Jideofor ANEKE ◽  
...  

Background: Availability of skilled manpower at service locations is an important indicator of the strength of the healthcare system and is critical for effective healthcare service delivery in developing countries. Emigration of doctors reported in Africa over the years has tremendously increased in recent times. The health sector in this low-income region has registered a great setback in their health indices following a severe shortage of manpower. Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the willingness of medical students to practice in Nigeria after the completion of their medical education. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed among medical students in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Information was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and present data. Degree of bivariate associations were measured using the Pearson Chi-Square test at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents were 23.9 ± 3.4 years. Majority were males (58.0%) and a greater proportion of the respondents (83.5%) did not desire to practice in Nigeria after their studies with the USA (29.3%) and Canada (17.8%) being the most preferred countries of migration. Advancement in technology and better remuneration were the most compelling factors for emigration. Conclusion: To ensure adequacy and efficiency in the health sector as recommended by the World Health Organization, governments of low-income countries should put measures in place to make medical practice in their countries more attractive to young doctors. Such measures include improved remuneration for services rendered and incorporation of more modern technology into health care delivery system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Audu Onyemocho ◽  
Agwa Moses ◽  
Aboh Kisani ◽  
Omole Namben Victoria ◽  
Anejo-Okopi Joseph

Objective: Rabies, one of the oldest and fatal infectious diseases known to human race, is transmitted by infected dogs. The global target of zero dog-mediated rabies human deaths has been set for 2030; however, the realization of this goal poses challenges in most low-income countries where rabies is endemic due to weak surveillance. Dogs have been increasingly deployed for domestic uses over the years, especially for security purposes. This study assessed the assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was employed to study 400 dog owners in Makurdi metropolis through multistage sampling techniques. Sighting of valid dog vaccination card was used as criteria for current vaccination. Bivariate analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between the respondent knowledge of rabies and dog vaccination with significant value set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31 (Â ± 0.8) years, majority of them had tertiary and secondary education (40.0% and 39.0%, respectively), 26.0% were traders, and 50.0% were married. Overall, 73.0% of the respondents had good knowledge score, 61.0% had seen at least a rabid dog in their life time, and 74.0% have a history of dog vaccination, but evidence of up to date vaccination of dogs by owners was seen in only 18.0% of all the vaccination cards sighted. The relationship between the educational status of the respondents, their knowledge score, and their dog vaccination was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies among dog owners in Makurdi was good, but the practice of dog vaccination was poor. Educational status was a good predictor of practice. Awareness campaign on dog vaccination should be strengthened and adequate measures should be put in place at the veterinary hospitals in Makurdi for vaccination of dogs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Hambisa ◽  
Rediet Feleke ◽  
Ameha Zewudie ◽  
Mohammed Yimam

Background:: Rational drug use comprises aspects of prescribing, dispensing and patient use of medicines for different health problems. This study is aimed to assess drug prescribing practice based on the world health organization prescribing indicators in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Methods:: An institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate prescribing practices in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Data were collected based on World health organization drug use indicators using prescription papers. 600 prescriptions dispensed through the general outpatient pharmacy of the hospital were collected by systematic random sampling method from prescriptions written for a 1-year time in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Results:: The present study found that the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.04 ± 0.87 in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital with a range between 1 and 5. Prescribing by generic name was 97.6 % and 47.8% of prescriptions contained antibiotics in the hospital. 27.7% of prescriptions contained at least one injectable medication in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. From prescribed drugs, 96.7% of them were prescribed from Ethiopian essential drug list. Conclusion:: Present study indicated that the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the percentage of generic prescribing and prescribing from the EDL were close to optimal value. However, the percentage of encounters with antibiotics and injections prescribed were found be very high. Thus, the study highlights some improvements in prescribing habits, particularly by focusing on the inappropriate consumption of antibiotics and injections.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 842-850
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Segnon Sogbossi ◽  
Damienne Houekpetodji ◽  
Toussaint G. Kpadonou ◽  
Yannick Bleyenheuft

Cerebral palsy is a common cause of pediatric motor disability. Although there are increasing amounts of data on the clinical profile of children with cerebral palsy in high-income countries, corresponding information about low-income countries and developing countries is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of cerebral palsy in children in Benin, a representative West African low-income country. Our cross-sectional observational study included 114 children with cerebral palsy recruited from community-based rehabilitation centers and teaching hospitals (median age: 7 years, range 2-17; sex: 66% male). Data were collected through review of medical records and interviews with children’s mothers. Assessment included risk factors, clinical subtypes according to the Surveillance of CP in Europe criteria, severity of motor outcome scored by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System, comorbidities, and school attendance. We recorded a high prevalence of intrapartum adverse events. Seventeen percent of children had postneonatal cerebral palsy, with cerebral malaria being the most common cause. Most children were severely affected (67.5% as bilateral spastic; 54.4% as GMFCS IV or V), but severity declined substantially with age. Only 23% of the children with cerebral palsy had attended school. Poor motor outcomes and comorbidities were associated with school nonattendance. These results suggest that intrapartum risk factors and postnatal cerebral malaria in infants are opportune targets for prevention of cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan low-income countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Amany A. Mohamed

Context: Mentally ill patients challenging dual difficulties that are illness and stigma. Internalized stigma viewed as maladaptive psychosocial phenomena that can affect all aspects of mentally ill patient life. Aim: The current study emerged aiming to assess internalized stigma of mental illness and its relation with self-esteem and social support among psychiatric patients. Methods: Descriptive research design used to achieve the aim of this study. A convenience sample of one hundred hospitalized psychiatric patients recruited for the study from inpatient units of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Hospital in Minia governorate. The data collection tools included socio-demographic and clinical data questionnaire, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: The findings show that less than half of patients have a severe level of total internalized stigma score. There is a highly significant correlation between overall internalized stigma score and its all subscales with self-esteem and social support. Conclusions: Internalized stigma level was high among psychiatric patients. A significant negative correlation found between total internalized stigma score with self-esteem and social support of the studied patients. The study recommended further studies regarding educational interventions to raise awareness and decrease internalized stigma among patient with mental illness. Besides, providing support for patient and families of mentally ill patients to promote their capacity to manage and cope with stigma. 


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