Attitudes Of Family Members Research Articles

Affiliate Stigma of Mothers of Differently-Abled Children: An Exploration

Affiliate stigma involves the extent of self-stigmatization among associates of targeted minorities or already negatively labelled people. In psychology, the nature of stigmatization has been studied vigorously in the field of mental illness. Comparatively stigma is a less studied but important phenomenon in the field of disability. Caregivers play a major role in the lives of children with developmental disabilities. The quality and efficiency of their caretaking may be affected by the manifestations of stigma. The objective of the current study is to explore the nature of affiliate stigma associated with mothers of children with developmental disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and ADHD etc. Data were collected using a semi structured interview and 16 mothers were participated in the study. Thematic analysis was carried out to understand the underlying themes and themes identified were belong to type of disability, nature and severity of disability, attitude of family members, coping patterns, attitude of society in general, professional support, time duration after diagnosis. Details are discussed in the paper.

A Study of Parents' Readiness to Raise Children with Intellectual Disabilities

The readiness of parents to raise children with intellectual disabilities is a set of emotional-motivational, cognitive and activity components, the formation of which ensures an adequate attitude of family members to the child and the choice of optimal methods of its upbringing. The article highlights the results of a study of parents’ readiness for family upbringing of children with intellectual disabilities, the research methodology is described, and a detailed analysis of the results is presented. According to the results of the experiment, it was found that a significant part of parents raising child with intellectual disabilities accept the child and its disorders at the psychological level, but they are emotionally depressed that their child has developmental disabilities. The vast majority of parents are not sufficiently aware of the psychological and pedagogical characteristics of their children, the age dynamics of their development. This negatively affects the choice of tactics and methods of education, knowledge about possible problems in learning and further adult life.

English

BACKGROUND The novel corona virus 2019 has caused a great hue and cry, especially as the whole world has been caught unawares. We wanted to study the attitude of medical practitioners and their families toward the current situation and on their practice. METHODS We conducted an observational, cross sectional study in the form of an online survey with a questionnaire. All practitioners willing to participate in the study were included. A total of 567 responses were obtained, of which 536 were eligible to be included. RESULTS From the data analysed, 75 % felt that it was in the line of duty to handle Covid suspects. However, 84.5 % felt that they were putting self and their families at risk by doing so, and 74.4 % did not want to handle Covid suspects, because they did not belong to their speciality. The primary concern of 90 % of the respondents was the risk of exposure and quarantine. Occasional anxiety while going to work was seen in 53.7 % of the respondents. On surveying the attitude of family members, we found that 87.3 % of the parents and spouses feared for their safety, but at the same time felt they were doing their duty. While studying the attitude of children, 57.8 % of them felt that their parents were doing a noble job. CONCLUSIONS The majority of practitioners are not trained to handle the current crisis. Fear and anxiety because of lack of knowledge, poor attitude and lack of guidelines may lead to increased stress levels and reluctance to handle suspect Covid-19 patients. KEY WORDS Covid 19, Stress, Attitude of Health Workers

Hypno Family Melalui Metode Psychodrama Untuk Mengoptimalkan Potensi Dalam Menjalankan Peran Sebagai Anggota Keluarga

This research is motivated by a large number of human psychological problems that have an impact on economic problems, environmental problems, crime issues, family chaos, political problems, and security issues or vice versa. The purpose of this study is to improve maturity in attitude and thinking with a responsibility to optimize the potential in carrying out roles in the family. This research method is research and development (R&D). The subjects of this study were several students at various campuses in Yogyakarta. The results showed that the implementation model of the Hypno family through the psychodrama method includes: (1) digging up data related to family perceptions; (2) digging up data on negative perceptions of family members followed by acceptance therapy; (3) tells about changes in the attitude of family members; (4) forming and strengthening character using Asmaul Husna. Hypno family through the psychodrama method can optimize the potential in carrying out the role of family members. This can be seen from the affective assessment by making observations and reinforced by interviews with each participant. Each participant felt a real change in the family.

Attitude Towards Suicide among Caregivers of Patients Admitted with Suicide Attempt to a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Understanding the attitude of caregivers towards suicide attempters could be useful in suicide prevention. The objective of this study was to study attitude towards suicide among caregivers of patients with suicide attempt admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 52 caregivers of patients with suicide attempt who had been admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Nepal after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee (ref. IRC/0797/016). Data were collected through interviews using the Attitude towards Suicide Questionnaire and in-depth interviews conducted on five caregivers using the interview framework developed in the department for the purpose. Data and descriptive analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Content analysis was used for qualitative data. Majority of the caregivers 34 (65.4%) had unfavorable attitude towards suicide. Caregivers reported that mental and chronic physical illness, financial difficulty, working environment, and social factors such as undue pressure and failure to perform the task, difficulty maintaining the relationship, abuse, and neglect could be some of the possible causes of suicide. Caring and understanding attitude of family members, health professionals, and society towards the suicidal individuals providing appropriate training and education to the public would help in reducing the stigma and burden of suicidal patients. The overall attitude of the caregivers was unfavorable. Interventions targeted towards improving attitude towards suicide could be helpful in suicide prevention.

La place du désir dans la dysphorie de genre : une étude qualitative auprès de personnes transgenres sous traitement de réassignation sexuelle

ObjectivesThe DSM-5 defines gender dysphoria as a significant distress caused by the experience of an incongruence with regard to the person's biological sex. The diagnosis of gender dysphoria, not determined by biological, psychological and cultural elements, relies primarily on the anamnesis and the narrative of the transgender persons. MethodIndividual interviews were conducted with a sample of nine patients consulting a gender dysphoria consultation, who benefited from sexual reassignment treatments. The interviews were analyzed with the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). ResultsParticipants describe the development of their transgender identity as a desire to live in a body, which is culturally assigned to the opposite gender, and to be recognized by society as such. This desire – related to affects and not cognitions – is triggered by events, such as the experience of being attracted to persons with the same sex, but without feeling homosexual, or by differences experienced with same-sex peers during socialization. The desire is experienced at various stages of the development and expressed in various ways, depending on the person's biography and his way of being in and relating to the world. When the desire emerges, it is more or less easily welcomed, and at times also repressed; a consequence of this repression may be, that the body as place of this desire may be attacked. In this last situation, the dysphoric state may be caused by the impossibility to accept and to realize the emerging desire. Contextual elements, such as being forced for professional reasons to clarify the transgender issue or the encounter with a key person, move the evolution of this desire. On the contrary, negative attitudes of family members or significant others may impede gender identity formation. DiscussionThe analysis of these narratives allowed to consider the condition of transgender persons not only as dysphoria, and thus situate it in a traditional medical perspective which distinguishes between normal and pathological, but also to conceive it as a “career” towards the possible and desirable. While, the term dysphoria relates to a problematic side of the transgender condition, we consider that the perspective of a desire provide a more constructive way to conceive transgender identity. ConclusionThe challenge for the expert-psychiatrist is to grasp the different expression of this desire and to allow it to freely emerge and evolve, and to express and realize itself. The role of the psychiatrist is thus not limited to be a “gatekeeper” in the treatments of sexual reassignment, but to accompany transgender persons in their career of gender transition. As such, the psychiatrist adopts a therapeutic stance, which aims–as in other conditions–to help that desires can circulate more freely.

Driving and Influencing Factors of Biomass Energy Utilization from the Perspective of Farmers

Biomass energy is one of the most important renewable energy sources. Full utilization of this energy helps to optimize agricultural development, improve our living environment, and replace some non-renewable energy sources, thereby promoting the eco-environment across the country. However, biomass energy has not been extensively utilized in rural areas of China. Many farmers are not very enthusiastic about the use of biomass energy. Many scholars have tried to boost the willingness of farmers to utilize biomass energy. Therefore, this paper collects the relevant data from six aspects, namely, environmental factor, cost factor, income factor, behavior factor, policy factor, and personal factor, and constructs a binary logistic regression model. On this basis, the driving and influencing factors of biomass energy utilization were empirically analyzed from the perspective of farmers. The results show that the development of biomass energy is mainly affected by the farmers’ awareness of national energy strategy, the relevant costs of biomass utilization, and the attitude of family members and village committee. The research provides an important reference for further promotion of biomass energy, elevation of its utilization efficiency, and optimization of energy structure in rural China.

Challenges to Elderly People in Quetta City (Balochistan) Pakistan

Introduction: The present study aims to examine challenges encountered by elderly people in Quetta city of Balochistan. The socio-economic problems faced by elderly and the attitude of family members towards them were explored in this study. Methods: A random sample of 200 respondents comprising both women and men of age 60 years and above was selected and data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule. The data collected has been processed through SPSS and simple frequency designed tables. Results: The results show several problems were encountered by elderly including discrimination (65%), limited decision making power (44%), acts of neglect and maltreatment from families (42%), verbal and physical abuse (41%), reduced social interaction (68%) and economic dependency (55.5%). These challenges were reported to have serious implications on the lives of elderly. Conclusion: The findings of this study imply that the majority of problems faced by elderly were largely due to breakdown of traditional family system of the country. To address these issues the attention of the state is needed especially in providing alternative means of living for the elderly who spend their lives in serving the nation. This may include setting up elderly homes, introducing elderly allowances and increasing pension amounts.

Global Reach of Conceptual Models Used in Ageism and Dementia Studies: A Scoping Review

Older adults are discriminated against at different social levels- called ageism and the people living with dementia (PlwD) not only face ageism due to being elder but also encounter prejudices, negative attitudes and discrimination because they live with dementia. The purpose of this review is to highlight the different conceptual and methodological approaches used and the groups being investigated as well as the findings from studies in the combined research field of ageism and dementia. Five scientific databases were used within a timeframe between 2009 and 2018. A total number of 98 articles (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) were included and analyzed based on (i) the conceptual frameworks, (ii) methodological approaches, (iii) groups studied, and (iv) findings. The result emerged six themes (i) stereotypes and attitudes in the general population; (ii) stereotypes and attitudes of themselves; (iii) stereotypes and attitudes among staff; (iv) stereotypes and attitudes as part of culture; (v) stereotypes and attitudes of family members; and (vi) miscellaneous. The principal findings identified lower education, lack of knowledge and less information about dementia as the main contributing factors to manifest stereotypes, attitudes, and ageism in society toward PlwD that leads to stigma. Moreover, this review found few studies were based on explicit conceptual frameworks but rather on descriptive understandings of relations between attitudes. There is a domination of the quantitative approach where the target populations were mostly from Western regions. The review suggests that a more conceptually coherent approach would allow for a better cumulative building of knowledge.

Perspectives on Telephone and Video Communication in the Intensive Care Unit during COVID-19.

Rationale: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many intensive care units (ICUs) have shifted communication with patients’ families toward chiefly telehealth methods (phone and video) to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Family and clinician perspectives about phone and video communication in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet well understood. Increased knowledge about clinicians’ and families’ experiences with telehealth may help to improve the quality of remote interactions with families during periods of hospital visitor restrictions during COVID-19.Objectives: To explore experiences, perspectives, and attitudes of family members and ICU clinicians about phone and video interactions during COVID-19 hospital visitor restrictions.Methods: We conducted a qualitative interviewing study with an intentional sample of 21 family members and 14 treating clinicians of cardiothoracic and neurologic ICU patients at an academic medical center in April 2020. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with each participant. We used content analysis to develop a codebook and analyze interview transcripts. We specifically explored themes of effectiveness, benefits and limitations, communication strategies, and discordant perspectives between families and clinicians related to remote discussions.Results: Respondents viewed phone and video communication as somewhat effective but inferior to in-person communication. Both clinicians and families believed phone calls were useful for information sharing and brief updates, whereas video calls were preferable for aligning clinician and family perspectives. Clinicians and families expressed discordant views on multiple topics—for example, clinicians worried they were unsuccessful in conveying empathy remotely, whereas families believed empathy was conveyed successfully via phone and video. Communication strategies suggested by families and clinicians for remote interactions include identifying a family point person to receive updates, frequently checking family understanding, positioning the camera on video calls to help family see the patient and their clinical setting, and offering time for the family and patient to interact without clinicians participating.Conclusions: Telehealth communication between families and clinicians of ICU patients appears to be a somewhat effective alternative when in-person communication is not possible. Use of communication strategies specific to phone and video can improve clinician and family experiences with telehealth.

Knowledge and attitudes of family members towards postpartum depression

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) has been recently recognized as a public health issue. While family members play an important role in early recognition of PPD among women, research that explores family members awareness on PPD is limited from India. AimTo explore the knowledge and attitudes of family members towards postpartum depression. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey carried out among family members of postpartum women (N = 202) at a pediatric tertiary care center. The data was collected through face to face interview technique using a structured questionnaire. ResultsThe mean scores on knowledge (18.92 ± 3.27) attitude (31.39 ± 4.91) scales suggest that a majority of the participants had a good level of knowledge (54%) and positive attitudes (69.7%) towards women with postpartum depression. However, misconceptions and negative stereotypes related to postpartum depression still prevailed. Family members who had a good level of education (χ2 = 4.21, p < 0.05) and had come across women with postpartum depression (χ2 = 13.27, p < 0.001) hold positive attitudes towards postpartum depression compared to family members with a lower level of education and those did not come across women with postpartum depression. ConclusionThe findings of the present study suggest the need for educational campaigns to improve perinatal mental health literacy and address prejudices and negative stereotypes related to postpartum depression among family members.

EXPRESSED EMOTION VS. ATTITUDE TOWARDS PERSONS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE: CONCEPTUALIZING CONCEPTS

Abstract. The proposed study aims to conceptualize the Expressed Emotion (EE) construct by its delimitation with the category of attitude through a theoretical review of the literature. EE is a reliable measure of the family setting and familial emotional climate of individuals with mental and physical conditions that examines family members’ critical, hostile and emotionally over-involved attitudes towards a family member with a condition. patterns between family members and individuals with a condition. EE is a valid predictor of poor quality of life and negative clinical outcome in individuals with mental and physical conditions. The results of a theoretical review of the literature led to the conclusion that EE is an important independent construct that determines the attitude of family members to a person with a chronic disease. EE differs from the attitude category because it contains exclusively negative aspects of interaction based on critical thinking, emotional hyperopia, and hostility. The range of EE as a negative attitude not only of family members but also of medical staff towards individuals with diseases is expanding. EE has shown to have a predictive value also for efficient treatment compliance and reducing relapses in different chronic medical and mental conditions. Evidence consistently suggest that EE has been measured in different individuals related to a person with a condition, notably relatives (partners, parents, children, distant relatives) and healthcare staff. It is promising to study the perceived EE as a subjective experience of negative attitudes of relatives towards people with diagnosis.

The challenge of heritability: genetic determinants of beliefs and their implications

ABSTRACT Ethical and political attitudes are not randomly distributed in a population. Attitudes of family members, for example, tend to be more similar than those of a random sample of the same size. In the fields of social psychology and political science, the historically standard explanation for these attitude distribution patterns was that social and political attitudes are (at least partially) a function of environmental factors like parental socialization and prevailing social norms. This received view is, however, complicated by more recent work in behavioral genetics, which consistently and repeatedly demonstrates that certain ethical and political attitudes dealing with issues like censorship, abortion, capital punishment, and immigration policy have a significant heritability coefficient, to wit, a substantial percentage of attitude variance in a population can be attributed to genetic variance, independent of environmental factors. In this paper, I argue that the genetic influence on our ethical and political attitudes is mediated by what we can agree to be irrelevant and distorting factors that can lead moral reasoning astray. Further, I argue that we should significantly lower our credences in ethical and political attitudes that fall within the domains of belief that involve significant genetic influence.

STIGMATIZATION OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL PHENOMENON

Formulation of the problem. Stigmatization of suicides certainly affects the processes latency within this group and limits the ability of the society to purposely influence it. Therefore, the study of the suicidal behavior stigmatization as a socio-cultural phenomenon will allow to expand the scientific understanding of the phenomenon essence and to indicate the main directions of social control over suicidal behavior.Analysis of recent research and publications. For the present, a substantial scientific background on suicidal issues is formed by experts in sociology, psychology and psychiatry. The works of A.G. Ambrumova, M.A. Berdyaev, E. Durkheim, O.O. Haustova, D. Hume, V.V. Khvedchuk, V.V. Slutsky, P.A. Sorokin, O.V. Timchenko, G. Sh. Chkhvartishvili, L.M. Shestopalova, V.V. Shkuro, E. Schneidman and other humanitarian professionals are widely known. However, the stigmatization of suicides and its social consequences have not been sufficiently studied by domestic scientists. Therefore, the purpose of the given research is to investigate the manifestations of social pressure and the suicide’s stigmatization in order to develop measures for preventing and overcoming them.Main material presentation. Stigmatization - the negative identification by a society of an individual (or a social group) according to a particular sign - has important implications for the following social participation and self-determination of that individual. Under the influence of the society (external stigma), internal stigma is formed in parallel. Internal stigma can manifest itself as a sense of self-destitute, inferiority, helplessness and lead to loss of control over one’s life, inability to establish and develop social contacts. The methodology of our study of suicides stigmatization problems is based on qualitative methods of information collection and analysis. Twenty-four respondents (13 women, 10 men), aged 18 to 35, who had experience in seeking help with a psychologist but had no psychiatric status were interviewed. The most common manifestations of stigma were condemnation and increased control. It is these types that are characteristic for the attitude of family members and close friends of the respondents. If information about the fact of the attempt of committing suicide becomes known to a wider social environment (classmates or colleagues), the most common form of stigma is distrust.Conclusions. Providing qualified professional assistance to people who are at risk of suicide is a prerequisite for preventing the spread of this type of deviant behavior in different social groups. Activity directions in preventing suicidal behavior among young people are determined at the macro-, meso- and micro-social levels.

Knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation among relatives of patients admitted in ICU

Context: In India rate of organ donation is low. It is attribute to lack of awareness and myths and misconceptions regarding organ donation. Knowledge and attitude of family members and relatives have a critical role in increasing percentage of organ donation. Aims: To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation among relatives of patients admitted in ICU (Intensive care unit). 1) To find out factors affecting the relatives’ decision regarding organ donation. Settings and Design: It was cross sectional study carried out among 180 relatives of patients admitted in ICU. Methods and Material: Data was collected through face to face interview based on a structured, pre-tested (piloted) questionnaire. Statistical analysis used: Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 20. Results:It was found that 81.1% participants had good knowledge and 72.8% had appropriate attitude towards organ donation. Majority, 114 (63.3%) were willing to donate organs in future. 106(58.9%) pledged to donate their organs after death. About 82% had good knowledge regarding organ donation which was reflected in the attitude and found to be statistically significant. There was significant association between education of participants with their knowledge. The study showed a considerable number of participants were willing to donate their organs but only 1.7% had donor card. Religion and fear from abuse were major barriers affecting the relatives' decision regarding organ donation. Conclusions: The reasons for unwillingness should be looked into more carefully and awareness campaigns should be planned to increase acceptability of organ donation.

Facilitators and Barriers to Exercise Influenced by Traditional Chinese Culture: A Qualitative Study of Chinese Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Introduction: Exercise is recommended for patients undergoing hemodialysis to decrease morbidity and mortality. However, their exercise level is lower than healthy people. Understanding reasons behind their sedentary lifestyle is required. Traditional Chinese culture may have a profound impact on patients' perceptions of exercise, particularly with regard to the relationship of overwork and kidney function and family members' attitudes toward patients' participation in exercise. Therefore, we sought to explore the facilitators and barriers to exercise influenced by traditional Chinese culture. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 44 Chinese patients residing in Nantong of Jiangsu Province undergoing hemodialysis, aged 25 to 77 years. Interview questions focused on their perceptions of, attitudes to, and experiences with exercise. Each interview was digitally recorded and lasted from 40 to 60 minutes. Conventional content analysis was used to understand facilitators and barriers to exercise within their experience and perceptions. Findings: We found that specific Chinese cultural health beliefs informed by traditional Chinese medicine strongly affected patients' attitudes and behaviors toward exercise. Participants in this study tended to believe that overwork impairs kidney functions and viewed strenuous exercise as overwork. Although participants admitted the benefits of exercise, they rejected strenuous exercise and regarded nearly all modalities of exercise with or without facilities (except walking) as strenuous exercise. The most common barriers to exercise were lack of motivation, bad weather, negative attitudes of family members toward patients' doing exercise, and insufficient exercise information resources. The most common facilitators found in this study were their increased physical well-being and confidence from exercise. Group exercise supported by family members and positive attitudes toward obtaining exercise information were also motivators. Discussion: Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis reported more barriers than facilitators to exercise. Perceptions and attitudes toward exercise informed by traditional Chinese culture may be hidden barriers to exercising. Our findings indicated that culturally sensitive and patient-centered exercise interventions for Chinese patients are urgently needed.

Difficulties to provide palliative care in west bengal, India

Objective: In a southern district of West Bengal, India almost 75% of cancer patient die a sad death of neglect due to lack of awareness about palliative care and low economic level. To identify and try to solve to the extent possible the main difficulties in giving palliative care to the terminal cancer patients of the area. Method: Home visit by volunteers and enumeration of the problems as discussed by the patient and their families. Result: Analysis the following data and identify these main problems. Patient problems: Pain, vomiting, respiratory distress, fatigue, etc. Our volunteers visited terminal cancer patients and their families in our areas. Family problems: Inability to match work life with the care of the patients. Adverse attitude of neighbors and local peoples. Social problems: Lack of awareness of the neighbor of local people about cancer and palliative care resulting in isolation of the family. Projected Intervention: Trying to relieve the patient’s problems through home based medications and intervention by volunteers and family members. Re-orientating the attitude of family members through discussions and other methods of communication i.e. get-together of cancer survivors. Social effort to raise the awareness of neighbors and local people through discussion and other audio visual method (i.e. poster, leaflet, slide presentation, etc). Conclusion: We believe that if we are able to continue our program for a long enough period the suffering of the terminal cancer patient and their families might be resolved to a large extent over time.

Difficulties to Provide Palliative Care in West Bengal, India

Objective: In a southern district of West Bengal, India almost 75% of cancer patient die a sad death of neglect due to lack of awareness about palliative care and low economic level. To identify and try to solve to the extent possible the main difficulties in giving palliative care to the terminal cancer patients of the area. Method: Home visit by volunteers and enumeration of the problems as discussed by the patient and their families. Result: Analysis the following data and identify these main problems. Patient problems: Pain, vomiting, respiratory distress, fatigue, etc. Our volunteers visited terminal cancer patients and their families in our areas. Family problems: Inability to match work life with the care of the patients. Adverse attitude of neighbors and local peoples. Social problems: Lack of awareness of the neighbor of local people about cancer and palliative care resulting in isolation of the family. Projected Intervention: Trying to relieve the patient's problems through home based medications and intervention by volunteers and family members. Reorientating the attitude of family members through discussions and other methods of communication (i.e., get-together of cancer survivors). Social effort to raise the awareness of neighbors and local people through discussion and other audio visual method (i.e., poster, leaflet, slide presentation, etc.). Conclusion: We believe that if we are able to continue our program for a long enough period the suffering of the terminal cancer patient and their families might be resolved to a large extent over time.

Investigation on knowledge and attitude of pregnant women's family members' accompany and Doula delivery in a Class III Grade A hospital in Shenzhen

Objective To investigate pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes toward family members' accompany and Doula delivery, so as to provide evidence for making strategies to improve the quality of family member accompany and Doula delivery. Methods From August to September 2017, a total of 270 pregnant women of the obstetrics outpatient clinic in a ClassⅢ Grade A maternity and child healthcare hospital were selected by convenience sampling method, and investigated with a self-organised questionnaire. Results A total of 270 questionnaires were released, and 239 effective questionnaires were collected. 72.38% of the pregnant women investigated had the demands of family members' accompany during predelivery and childbirth, and 83.68% would like the help of Doula during predelivery and childbirth. The average score of pregnant women' knowledge and attitudes towards family members' accompany was (4.05±0.95) , while the average score for Doula's accompany was (4.13±0.79) . Conclusions Family members and Doula's accompany is highly demanded among pregnant women, and the score of knowledge and attitude of family members' accompany was lower than that of Doula delivery. Therefore, hospitals should strengthen the training of qualified personnel of Doula delivery, and strengthen the health education for pregnant women and their families to accompany childbirth related knowledge. Key words: Pregnant women; Knowledge; Attitude; Family accompany; Doula delivery

Clinical presentation and outcome of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Nigeria.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is presumably rare in Africa. Knowledge about the disease in Nigeria is limited as demonstrated by scanty articles on the subject. To determine the pattern of clinical presentation and outcome of ADPKD among ADPKD patients. ADPKD subjects were prospectively studied between January 1996 and December 2010. Their demographics, clinical and investigation parameters were documented. Dependency on dialysis, renal transplant and death were the final outcomes. Forty one patients (M:F=1.3:1) with mean age of 48.6±4.6 years were studied. ADPKD was diagnosed at 2.73 cases per annum. Family history of ADPKD and hypertension were present in 56.1% and 82.9% respectively. Their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 166.9 ±23.6 and 104 ±21.2 respectively.Nocturia (78.0%) and loin pain (68.3%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Liver cysts (31.7%) and aortic regurgitation (22.0%) were the predominant extra-renal manifestations.Twenty three (56.1%) received haemodialysis; no renal transplantation. Death rate was 51.2%. Presence of uraemia and intra-cerebral aneurysm contributed significantly to mortality. ADPKD may not be so rare in Nigeria. Awareness campaign to change attitude of family members to screening and further studies using newer criteria for diagnosis of ADPKD should be conducted.