Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Research Articles

Patients’ satisfaction with psychiatric nursing care in Benin, Nigeria

In many low-middle income countries including Nigeria, shortage of psychiatric nurses and adverse working conditions, potentially impairs quality of nursing care provided. Quality of care may influence uptake of available mental health care services. This study was aimed at assessing level of psychiatric patients’ satisfaction with nursing care in one of two public mental health hospitals in South-South Nigeria. Study design was cross-sectional descriptive, with use of simple random sampling technique to recruit patients from Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21, with chi-square as inferential statistic, and p-value set at 0.05. One hundred and eighty-five (185) respondents were surveyed, with mean age of 36.3 ± 10.1 years. Common psychiatric diagnoses were schizophrenia (40.0%) and depression (34.1%). Mean satisfaction was 3.53 ± 0.69 ranging from 1.6 to 5.0. There was 52.4% prevalence of satisfaction and 47.6% prevalence of dissatisfaction with nursing care provided. Common areas of dissatisfaction were privacy nurses gave (61.1%), nurses’ willingness to respond to subjects’ needs (55.7%), and nurses’ awareness of subject’s needs (55.1%). Common areas of satisfaction were nurses putting relatives’ mind to rest (61.6%), nurses’ capability at their job (60.5%). Dissatisfaction was significantly commoner among males and those diagnosed with depression and bipolar affective disorder (p < 0.05). This study identified key areas of dissatisfaction and satisfaction with mental health nursing services in a low-middle-income country setting. Psychiatric nurses need to be aware of these areas, towards optimization of mental healthcare provision peculiar to their settings.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Caregivers’ of People with Schizophrenia towards the Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Nigeria

Aim: To ascertain the attitudes of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia comprising their knowledge of the illness and social distance towards people with the illness.&#x0D; Study Design: A cross sectional study design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria, between April and July 2015.&#x0D; Methodology: A systematic random sample of caregiver/patient dyads (n=281) were recruited. Caregivers were administered a socio-demographic questionnaire and, a brief interview on their knowledge of the aetiological factors, treatment for schizophrenia and level of social distance towards people with schizophrenia. Patients were administered a socio-demographic questionnaire and the PANSS.&#x0D; Results: Three hundred and forty-one caregivers were approached but 281 gave consent and participated in the study (response rate was 82%, level of significance value was set at p&lt;0.05 and 95% confidence interval was used). Among the 281 caregivers surveyed, 22.7% mostly ascribed psychosocial cause for schizophrenia, their level of knowledge of schizophrenia was generally average (49.5%). More than two-thirds of the caregivers reported high social distancing. Better attitudes to schizophrenia among caregivers was significantly associated with caregivers who were unemployed (p&lt;0.03) and caregivers whose patients’ had at least 12 years of formal education (p&lt;0.01).&#x0D; Conclusion: Average knowledge of disease aetiology among caregivers was associated with high social distancing. Qualitative studies are required to explore the interactions of these identified factors.

Double burden of malnutrition amongst patients with first-episode schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital: A 1-year follow-up study.

BackgroundDespite the burgeoning data on the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in sub-Saharan Africa, longitudinal studies to examine malnutrition amongst first-episode schizophrenia are uncommon in the modern literature.AimTo determine the extent of nutritional variations amongst persons with schizophrenia at intervals of 1-year treatment follow-up.SettingThis study was conducted at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.MethodsConsecutive incident cases that fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia were recruited into the study. After a baseline assessment, 206 incident cases of schizophrenia were followed up at 4th, 8th, 12th weeks, 6 months and 1 year for indicators of nutritional outcome. The body mass index (BMI) was used to measure the nutritional status amongst the study participants. Changes in the BMI across intervals of follow-up were examined using repeated measures analysis of variance, whereas the socio-demographic and clinical variables were evaluated as predictors of outcome using multiple regression analysis.ResultsAfter 1 year of treatment with antipsychotics, the prevalence of underweight decreased from 19.9% (95% CI, 19.8% – 20.0%) at baseline to 16.0% (95% CI, 15.9% – 16.1%) at 1 year, but the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 29.1% (95% CI, 29.0% – 29.2%) at baseline to 43.2% (95% CI, 43.0% – 43.3%) at 1 year of follow-up. The predictors of BMI at 1 year were antipsychotic medication (32.7% variance), duration of vagrancy (24.0%) and age at onset (20.0%).ConclusionThe finding of coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition across the intervals of treatment follow-up underscores the need for comprehensive interventions to address both extremes of malnutrition amongst patients with schizophrenia.

Psychosocial Determinants of Quality of Life and Mental Health Status of Caregivers of Children with Psychopathologies in Lagos Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between Quality of Life (QoL) and psychosocial health status of caregivers of children living with diagnosed psychological disorder. A total of 309 caregivers of children with psychological disorders using a Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Nigeria (mean age = 41.2 years) were purposively selected during clinic appointment days and responded to Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (MSPSS), The World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that burden of care and social support were significant joint predictors of the Quality Of Life of the participants (R2= .040, p = .003), age of caregiver, duration of marriage of caregiver, child age and duration of care failed to jointly significantly predict the quality of life of caregiver (R2= .013, p = .424), but significantly predicted the psychological health of the caregivers (R2= .084, p = .000).Social support had strong beta contribution on QoL while age of caregiver had significant beta contribution on psychological health of the caregivers.

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio of Psychiatric Patients in a Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio of Psychiatric Patients in a Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

Assessment of Interleukin 6 and C-reactive Protein as Inflammatory Markers among Patients with Substance Use Disorder in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna

Aim: This research aimed to determine the relationship between substance use disorder (SUD) and the biomarkers of inflammation: (C-reactive protein: CRP and Interleukin-6: IL-6) to investigate inflammatory reaction among SUD patients.&#x0D; Study Design: This is a cross sectional comparative study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Kaduna, North-western Nigeria which serve as a referral center for patients with psychiatric disorders from all the North Western states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja between August 2018 and August 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: The study population was drawn from SUD patients who were positive to urine drug test. The serum CRP and IL-6 levels of 180 SUD patients (study group) were compared with the serum CRP and IL-6 levels of 180 apparently normal individuals who do not have history of substance abuse.&#x0D; Results: The median and interquartile range of the ages of both the study group and the control group were 30 (23 – 40) and 33.5 (24-41) years respectively. The study population consist of 162 (90%) males and 18 (10%) females with median ages and range of 30.5 (15 – 72) and 26 (14 – 40) years respectively. A significant increase in IL-6 in SUD was observed (P = .0001) but no significant difference observed in CRP at 95% confidence interval (P = .73). It was observed that there was a strong positive relationship between IL-6 and CRP (r = 0.6646); P = .0001) in SUD patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: IL-6 was significantly higher in people with SUD and as CRP levels increases IL-6 increases. This suggests that there is a level of inflammatory reaction in substance use disorder patients. Thus both serum CRP and IL-6 level can be considered as biomarkers of inflammation in patients with SUD.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables of Depression among Patients with Epilepsy in a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Nigeria.

Background Depression is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Its occurrence in patients living with epilepsy is not just common but also a serious comorbidity. Patients tend to suffer if the depressive disorder is undetected and thus untreated. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorder in patients with epilepsy. Also, the sociodemographic and clinical factors that are associated with the development of depression in people living with epilepsy were examined. Materials and Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of participants living with epilepsy and receiving care at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Participants were recruited consecutively as they come for follow-up care. A sociodemographic/clinical questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire version 28 (GHQ-28) were first administered to participants followed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The descriptive statistics were generated and analyzed. Logistic regression was also done to determine the predictors of depression in the study participants. All test of probability was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 400 participants with epilepsy were examined with GHQ-28 and CIDI. Out of the GHQ-28 examined individuals, 71 people (17.8%) met criteria for caseness while 35 participants (8.8%) were depressed when assessed with CIDI. The predictors of depressive illness in participants living with epilepsy were GHQ caseness (p < 0.05. p < 0.05. p < 0.05. Conclusion Depression is common in people with epilepsy. Physicians should actively assess individuals with epilepsy for symptoms of depression. Special attention should be paid to patients with a family history of epilepsy and those from minority ethnic groups.

Medication knowledge and beliefs in patients with major depressive disorder at a tertiary health facility in north east Nigeria

Background: Achieving positive clinical outcomes with antidepressant drug therapy depends on patients having adequate knowledge and positive beliefs about their prescribed medication.Objectives: To assess medication related knowledge and beliefs about medicines in patients with major depressive disorder.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from December 2018 to March 2019 at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Patients who agreed to participate in the study (n=151) were interviewed with patient knowledge about medication and belief about medicine questionnaires.Results: About 82.8 % of the patients had suboptimal knowledge of their medications. Over half (60.3%) of them had strong beliefs regarding the necessity of their prescribed medications. Almost half (47.7%) of them also had strong concerns about the potential harm and adverse effects of their medications. The odds for strong beliefs regarding the necessity of their prescribed medication were about 8 times greater in patients with primary level of education than those with no formal education (p=0.026, OR=8.00) and 4 times in married people (p=0.024, OR=4.77).Conclusion: Patients with major depressive disorder in this study had suboptimal knowledge of their medication and an appreciable number of them had strong beliefs regarding the need for their medications. However, about half of the patients also had strong beliefs about the potentials of their medications to cause harm. The odds to have strong beliefs on the need for medication were positively associated with disease severity, being married and increasing level of education. Interventions aimed at improving medication knowledge and addressing negative beliefs about medications are therefore recommended.Keywords: Medication knowledge, Medication beliefs, Major depressive disorder, Nigeria

Inventory analysis in a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Purpose: In resource limited countries like Nigeria with ever increasing drug needs, it is necessary to apply scientific tools for effective and efficient management of pharmaceuticals in the hospital. This study aims to identify the categories of drugs in Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Benin City that are available and make recommendation for strict managerial control. Methods: The annual consumption and expenditure incurred for pharmaceuticals from 2014-2018 was analyzed. The ABC, VED and a matrix based on ABC and VED analysis was developed to narrow down the group of items for effective managerial monitoring. Results: The ABC-VED matrix analysis of drugs for 2014, 2015, 2016,2017 and 2018 revealed that category I items which were 21 (20.19%), 26 (21.14%), 27 (19.02%), 27 (18.12%), and 27 (18.49%) respectively consumed NGN18,991,634 (72.21%), NGN28,817,113 (74.22%), NGN37,955,459 (73.76%), 42,562,300, (70.79%), NGN44,430,522 (74.03%) for each year Annual Drug Expenditure respectively. This category which include olanzapine, amitriptyline, carbamazepine, nifedipine, consumables, risperidone, sodium valporate, diazepam, 10% dextrose water, 4.3 % dextrose saline, 5% dextrose saline, biperidine 5mg should have maximum attention and meticulous inventory control. Conclusion: Scientific inventory management tools need to be applied strictly and routinely for category I of the ABC-VED matrix in order to save money for the establishment and reduce out of stock syndrome. Keywords: ABC analysis, VED analysis, ABC-VED matrix, Category I, Inventory Analysis, Pharmacoeconomics

Psychosocial Determinants of Medication Adherence Among Psychiatric Outpatients

Medication adherence refers to compliance by patients in taking their prescribed medications as instructed by their doctors. Lack of treatment adherence has shown to be associated with negative attitude to pharmacotherapy. This study was set out to determine the influence of psychosocial factors on medication adherence among outpatient of Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos. The study adopted survey design with a randomized sample of 277 participants selected purposively. The participant responded to Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI), Religiosity Oriented Test (ROT) and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed a 44.8% and a 55.2% prevalence of high and low medication adherence respectively. Observed significant independent determinants of medication adherence among the outpatients include personality traits (R² =.034 p = .000) and religiosity (R² =.037 p = .001). Personality traits and religiosity jointly predicted medication adherence (R²=.024, p = .000). Respondents’ nature of illness (F (4,273) = 8.81, p =. 000) as well as level of education (F (5,271) = 5.964, p = .000) significantly influenced medication adherence. Findings concluded that personality traits, religiosity, nature of illness and educational level are psycho-social determinants of medication adherence among outpatients. Authors recommend psycho-education to enlightenment of patients on the importance of adherence to medication. Keywords: Personality traits, religiosity, medication adherence, psychiatric outpatients DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/69-08 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Barriers to care among people with schizophrenia attending a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Nigeria.

BackgroundIndividuals with schizophrenia in low- and middle-income countries and their caregivers face multiple barriers to care-seeking and continuous engagement with treatment services. Identifying specific barrier patterns would aid targeted interventions aimed at improving treatment access.AimThe aim of this study was to determine stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria.SettingThis study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinics of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study of a dyad of persons with schizophrenia and caregivers (n = 161) attending outpatient services at a neuro-psychiatric hospital in Nigeria. Stigma- and non-stigma-related barriers were assessed using the 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE) scale.ResultsLack of insight, preference for alternative care, illness severity and financial constraints were common barriers to care-seeking among persons with schizophrenia. Females were significantly more likely to report greater overall treatment barrier (p < 0.01) and stigma-related barriers (p < 0.02).ConclusionThis study shows that attitudinal barriers impede care access and engagement among persons with schizophrenia in Nigeria.

Morphometric evaluations of intercondylar distances using computed tomographic scan images in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria

Knowledge of the anatomy of the occipital condyle (OC) and the structures around it is significant in sex determination and in surgical operations involving the basicranium. The present study attempts to evaluate the anterior occipital intercondylar distance (AOID) and posterior occipital intercondylar distance (POID) in the sample population as well as its variability in different populations. The sample population for the present study comprised of computed tomographic (CT) images of 110 patients (60 males and 50 females) aged 18–65 years obtained from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State-Nigeria. Males presented significantly higher mean values for both the parameters measured (p&lt;0.001). Mean values of AOID in males and females are respectively 24.15 mm and 22.31 mm, while the POID mean values are 26.83 mm and 23.79 mm. The ratio of POID to AOID is 1.1:1.0 in both males and females in the sample. This ratio varies from population to population.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitosis among Mentally Ill Persons in Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Aim: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in relation to mental illness among inpatients of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar was investigated with a view to improving the quality of their medical care.&#x0D; Study Design: This was cross sectional study. Ethical approval and patients’ informed consent were sought and obtained before collection and processing of samples.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, between February and August, 2016.&#x0D; Methodology: We included 246 (126 patients, 120 apparently healthy) subjects. Intestinal parasites were detected by direct stool microscopy and formol ether concentration technique and the cellophane anal swab method for Enterobius vermicularis. Chi square analysis was used to compare percentages.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among the 126 studied patients was 49.2% compared to 11.7% recorded among the 120 apparently healthy (control) subjects examined (P &lt; 0.0001). There was no significant association between intestinal parasites prevalence and gender in test as well as control subjects 60.0% v. 45.1%, respectively, p = 0.2022) and 14.3% v. 8.8%, respectively, P = 0.3113). Subjects with chronic mental cases insignificantly harbored more intestinal parasites than those with acute cases (53.8% v. 47.1%, respectively; P = 0.5699). Parasites detected in the study were Hookworm 34.6%, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 25%, Ascaris lumbricoides 17.3%, Trichuris trichiura 9.6%, Enterobius vermicularis 5.8%, Giardia intestinalis 3.8%, Taenia species and Schistosoma mansoni 1.9% each. Hookworm ranked highest 34.6% among the parasites encountered in the test subjects while Ascaris lumbricoides 33.3% took the lead in the control group. People diagnosed with Variance Psychosis disorder recorded highest infection rate (68.4%) while those with substance abuse had the least (28.0%).&#x0D; Conclusion: Intestinal parasitosis may possibly play aetiologic or enhancement role in mental ill health. For effective management of the mental challenge, periodic parasitic investigations and appropriate therapy before and after admittance should be effected in all psychiatric institutions.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria

Aims: To obtain sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients receiving Electroconvulsive therapy in a Nigerian psychiatric hospital.&#x0D; Study Design: A retrospective study.&#x0D; Place and duration: The study was carried out at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria over a period of 3 months.&#x0D; Methodology: An extensive review of the hospital records of patients receiving the modified form of electroconvulsive therapy for the first time over a period of eight years was done. The demographic information, clinical diagnosis and indication for electroconvulsive therapy were retrieved and analysis was done using SPSS 19.&#x0D; Results: There were a total of 222 cases, ranging from 45 in 2000 to 21 in 2007. Mean age was 31.7 ± 9.65. Male: female ratio was 1:2. Almost 60% of them were single and unemployed. Clinical diagnosis using ICD 10 ranged from schizophrenia (44.8%), severe depression (27.8%), bipolar disorder (15.5%) to puerperal psychosis (8.2%). Indications for electroconvulsive therapy included psychosis (41.6%), severe depressive episode (25.8%), catatonia (23.7%) and manic episode (7.4%).&#x0D; Conclusion: This study has shown that the use of ECT has declined in the facility over the study periods. Also, females were twice as likely to receive electroconvulsive therapy compared to males and schizophrenia still remains the most common diagnosis among the patients.

Perceptions of Physicians and Allied Health Care Workers of Pharmacists’ Role In Care Optimization for Schizophrenic Patients At Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria

Introduction: In clinical practice, it is required that a profession not only clearly describe their own roles and responsibilities to other professionals but should also be aware of other professions’ roles in relation to their own. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of physicians and allied health care workers (Other health care professionals) of the roles of pharmacists in optimizing care for schizophrenic patients.&#x0D; Methods: A self-administered 17-item validated questionnaire was distributed to 120 health care professionals working at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri from September to October 2016. Results obtained were analysed using Chi-square test.&#x0D; Results: Health care professionals mostly had positive perceptions with a statistically significant difference (P&lt; 0.05) across all assessed items. However, competent and knowledge of the pharmacists accounting for 93 (83.8%), involvement of the pharmacist in patient care accounting for 91(82%) and reassuring patients to improve quality of life accounting for 98(88.3%) had the highest number of health care professionals with positive perceptions while documenting patient care, monitoring and reemphasizing physicians instructions had the lowest accounting for 69 (62.2%), 74(66.7%) and 74 (66.7%) respectively in the different sections.&#x0D; Conclusions: The health care professionals surveyed mostly had positive perceptions. Thus, pharmacists can leverage on this to meet their roles in optimizing care for schizophrenic patients.&#x0D; Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2019; 30(1) : 19-23

Radiographic assessment of cardiothoracic ratio in apparently healthy adults in Maiduguri

Background: Cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is an easy and cheap diagnostic tool in the estimation of the cardiac sizes which is used for the screening and diagnosis of cardiac diseases. Objectives: The study objectives were to assess the normal cardiac size in apparently healthy adults and establish reference ranges in our population for comparison when investigating cardiac diseases. Materials and Methods: Radiographic evaluations of the cardiac size were performed from March 2017 to February 2018 in 172 apparently healthy individuals who were referred to the Radiology Department, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, in Nigeria, for medical examinations. The individuals were divided into the following five age groups: 18–27, 28–37, 38–47, 48–57 and 58 years and above, in order to determine the influence of age on cardiac size. Results: The mean CTR for males and females was 45.10% and 45.71%, respectively, and was statistically insignificant (0.362). The mean CTR of the general population was 45.6%, and the mean CTR value increased with age until the fourth decade when it reduces with age. Conclusion: The result of this study has established the CTR of the Nigerian population in Maiduguri. The CTR gradually increased with age until the fourth decade when it reduces with age. Therefore, establishing normal ranges of CTR is necessary for comparison in a condition where a possible cardiac disease is being examined.

Patterns of computed tomographic findings in patients from Maiduguri, Nigeria, diagnosed with a brain tumor

Background and Aim: Brain tumors are a fairly common neurological problem in Nigeria and associated with a relatively low morbidity and mortality rate. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality revealing precisely the tumor's location, patterns, and to some extent, the tumor characterization; however, only computed tomography (CT) is readily available in the study locality. In this study, we assessed the patterns of CT findings among patients diagnosed with a brain tumor using CT. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study, in which brain CT records of 40 cases of brain tumor diagnosed between January 2016 and August 2018 were reviewed, irrespective of patient age, sex, or clinical information. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethical Committee of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri (approval No. FNPH/GEN/092/VOLII) on December 22, 2015. Results: Of the 40 brain tumors diagnosed during the study, 17 (42%) cases were male and 23 (58%) were female. Their age range was 2–70 years (28.4 ± 20.2 years). About 22% of cases were extra-axial, whereas 31 (78%) were intra-axial. Twenty-seven (68%) patients had definitive diagnosis, with eight (20%) cases being meningioma, whereas 13 (32%) had nonspecific findings (a longer differential diagnosis). Conclusion: Meningioma was the most common type of brain tumor in this study despite the limitation of histopathology facility within the immediate locality. The low rate of glioma was probably due to few old adults included in the study.

Modeling the Effect of Antipsychotic Drugs on Body Weight of Psychiatric Patients

Various studies have confirmed the significance increase in weight between baselines and follow up after commencement of antipsychotic drugs. Both Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs (AAD) and Typical Antipsychotic Drugs (TAD) have shown the tendency of inducing increase in the fat content of the body. However the modeling of the exact size of the weight increase beyond probable interval estimate is a necessity for clearer understanding; that will foster easy control of weight gain in psychiatric patient. This study thus established the claim from previous studies and presents the odds of AAD inducing weight gain relative to TAD. The study used a composite trinomial and bernoulli distribution to describe the interest variables (IV’s) body mass index (BMI) and the drug type. The composite function parameters and its standard errors were obtained using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method and fisher approach respectively. The study further used the continuation ratio model to determine the exact weight gain proportion due to AAD relative to TAD. The study was carried out at the Out-patient clinic of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta Nigeria, within a period of six weeks between baseline and follow up. A total of two hundred and seventy patients participated in the study after their consent and willingness were obtained. The difficulty to control the food intake of the patient at home is a limitation to the study. Patients that have had reasons to switch were excluded from the study. A graphical representation was used to explain the exact behavioural pattern of the weight gain and its relative effect due to AAD and TAD drugs. The study thus recommends a thorough follow up of healthy eating of food rich in fibers, fruits and vegetables along with indoor or outdoor physical exercises for psychiatric patients mostly on AAD to prevent future cardiovascular related diseases.

Antipsychotic Drugs Prescription Pattern among Patients with Schizophrenia in a Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Antipsychotic Drugs Prescription Pattern among Patients with Schizophrenia in a Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Prevalence, factors and reasons associated with missed first appointments among out-patients with schizophrenia at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City.

Non-attendance to clinic appointments is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. There is a dearth of information about missed first clinic appointments among patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. To determine the prevalence, correlates and reasons for missed first appointment among out-patients with schizophrenia at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study among 275 out-patients with schizophrenia, using the Mini International Neuro-Psychiatric Interview and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The prevalence of missed first appointment was 31%. Higher BPRS score was associated with missing the appointment. The main reasons for missed appointments were: forgetting the appointment date and patient's refusal to come to the clinic. Missed first out-patient clinic appointment is common among patients with schizophrenia at the study site, forgetting appointment dates being a common reason. Among other recommendations, methods of reminding patients and caregivers of appointment dates at the study location may need to be explored. None.