ABSTRACT
Background:The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) has been validated for use in the study of aggression in the developed world; unlike in the undeveloped world. The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the discriminant validity of the MOAS for use in this part of the world using psychiatric in-patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: Forty aggressive psychiatric patients and 40 non-aggressive healthy subjects were randomly selected for this study. The psychiatric patients were enlisted after fulfilling the ICD-10 (World Health Organization; 1993) criteria for a specific clinical diagnosis. The 40 non-aggressive subjects were mainly medical students and hospital staff. The MOAS was subsequently used to assess aggression in the entire cohort.Results: The males had higher mean global weighted score than the females in both the aggressive and nonaggressive categories. The mean global weighted scores of the aggressive and non-aggressive categories were 13.70+ 7.25 and 0.65 + 1.01 respectively. The difference in means is statistically significant; hence the MOAS has discriminant validity. Conclusion: Therefore; the modified overt aggression scale is a valid instrument in this environment for the study of aggression
Subject(s)
Aggression , Environment , Hospitals , UniversitiesABSTRACT
Background:The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) has been validated for use in the study of aggression in the developed world; unlike in the undeveloped world. The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the discriminant validity of the MOAS for use in this part of the world using psychiatric in-patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: Forty aggressive psychiatric patients and 40 non-aggressive healthy subjects were randomly selected for this study. The psychiatric patients were enlisted after fulfilling the ICD-10 (World Health Organization; 1993) criteria for a specific clinical diagnosis. The 40 non-aggressive subjects were mainly medical students and hospital staff. The MOAS was subsequently used to assess aggression in the entire cohort.Results: The males had higher mean global weighted score than the females in both the aggressive and nonaggressive categories. The mean global weighted scores of the aggressive and non-aggressive categories were 13.70+ 7.25 and 0.65 + 1.01 respectively. The difference in means is statistically significant; hence the MOAS has discriminant validity. Conclusion: Therefore; the modified overt aggression scale is a valid instrument in this environment for the study of aggression
Subject(s)
Aggression , Environment , Hospitals , UniversitiesABSTRACT
Background: Since it is projected that by 2020 seventy percent of the elderly will reside in developing countries; a reliable screening method for dementia and cognitive impairment in general in populations with diverse languages; culture; education and literacy will be needed. We sought to determine if the Clock Test; a screening test for dementia; was suitable for use in a Nigerian population. Study design: Cross-sectional survey of 54 men and 12 women from Northern Nigeria. Researchers administered two dementia screening tools: a questionnaire-based test adapted for use in a Nigerian population and the Clock Test. Results: Overall; 53.0of the subjects had an abnormal Clock Test whereas 10.6of the subjects had an abnormal questionnaire score. Only 9.1of the subjects had abnormal scores on both tests. Subjects with more schooling had a greater probability of having a positive clock concept (understanding that a circle represented a clock). Of those with more than 6 years of schooling; 91.0had a positive clock concept. Subjects with a negative clock concept were more likely to have an abnormal Clock Test (93.3) than a questionnaire (26.6). Conclusions: The main finding of our study was the discrepancy between the results of the Clock Test and the questionnaire. Performance on the Clock Test appeared to have been heavily influenced by education level; indicating the test is not universally applicable across cultures. The questionnaire-based test appears to reduce the effects of illiteracy on assessing dementia in a Nigerian population. Larger studies should be done to control for how education affects the assessment of dementia