Prevalence of brain fag syndrome and its correlation with stimulant use and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics among university undergraduate students in Nigeria

Background: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a culture-bound syndrome characterized by cognitive and somatic symptoms, commonly reported among African students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students and examine its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students from a university in the northwest region of Nigeria. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, stimulant use, course of study, and academic performance. The presence of BFS was assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Results:The study included a total of 625 participants, in their young adulthood. The prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students was found to be 62.7%. The majority of affected students were aged 20-30, male, and from the Hausa ethnic group. No significant association was found between stimulant use and BFS. However, there was a significant relationship between the course of study and the occurrence of BFS. Academic performance (CGPA) showed a weak negative association with BFS. Other socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, relationship status, birth position, type of home, and family income did not predict the occurrence of BFS. Conclusion: The high prevalence highlights the need for attention to mental health issues among this population. The results emphasize the importance of considering the course of study and academic performance when studying BFS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions for students affected by BFS.

International HIV Dementia Scale: Screening for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Occupational Settings

This study investigated whether the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) can be used to screen for milder forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in occupational health settings. It explored first; the effect of demographic variables on IHDS performance in a sample of HIV-negative employees and second; the extent to which the IHDS can differentiate between milder forms of HAND in HIV-infected employees. Data from 476 HIV-negativeand 90 HIV-positive individuals indicated that; although clinicians need to be sensitive to the effect of education and test-language proficiency; separate norms based on socio-demographic variables are not required in this context; and that the IHDS shows promise for identifying milder forms of HAND in this HIV-positive sample; with ?10 the recommended cut-off for further referral. In conclusion; there is support for the IHDS to screen for HAND where this may impact on safety-critical tasks in the workplace