Quality of sleep and psychological distress in glaucoma

Background: People living with glaucoma are psychologically burdened because of the threat of visual loss. Therefore, understanding the psychosocial issues and quality of sleep holds important implications for the recognition, prevention, and treatment of emotional problems among people with glaucoma. This study investigated the quality of sleep and psychological distress among people with glaucoma.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults recruited over a period of 12 weeks from a glaucoma clinic of a Teaching Hospital in south-west Nigeria. The quality of sleep and psychological distress were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and General Health Questionnaire respectively.Results: Ninety-three adults with glaucoma participated in the study. The mean age was 62.33 ± 15.25 years. Fifty-seven (61.3%) of the subjects were poor sleepers while 27 (29.0%) were psychologically distressed. Psychological distress correlated with global sleep score (r = 0.399, p = 0.000), subjective sleep quality (r = 0.341, p = 0.001), sleep latency (r = 0.245, p = 0.018) and sleep disturbance (r = 0.279, p = 0.007).Conclusion: Psychological distress and sleep disturbances were common among patients with glaucoma. Concerns about these issues should be incorporated into routine clinical evaluations of patients with glaucoma

A Controlled study of effect of counseling on psychological symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, Nigeria

Psychological symptoms are common complications of HIV/AIDS. More often; decision making during management neglects the use of counseling; a common but important therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS. The increasing morbidity due to maladjustment to supportive care often results in poor quality of life. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of counseling in people living with HIV/AIDS and compare the levels of anxiety and depression in them. Four hundred and twenty newly diagnosed persons living with HIV/AIDS referred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in January 2007 were randomly divided into two groups; 1 and 2. Group 1 was instantly assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression; using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); while; Group 2 was assessed one month later after undergoing intensive counseling. A total of 392 respondents; consisting of 210 in group 1 and 182 in group 2 were analyzed; 28 (13.3) respondents in group 2 defaulted from the clinic and were excluded from the study. The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents in both groups were similar. Majority; 162 (77.1) respondents in group 1 and 137 (58.8) in group 2 aged between 20-49 years. Although; anxiety and depression were markedly reduced in 137 (34.9) and 35 (19.2) respondents in group 2 with counseling compared to 199 (50.8) and 90 (42.8) respondents in group 1 without counseling; the demographic variables of the respondents did not influence the level of anxiety and depression. However; depression was high in 24 (54.9) respondents in group 2 who had counseling and were unemployed; depression was associated with occupation (P0.04). Counseling reduces psychological symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore its use should be encouraged in people living with the disease to boost self-esteem needed for improved quality of life

A controlled study of anxiety and depression in mothers of children with learning disability in Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND:Parents of children with learning disability have been reported to suffer great stress and frustration due to increased burden of care. The manifestation of stigmatization by familial environment and the collective effect of the children with adverse impact on mothers predispose them to mental shock or a variety of neurotic symptoms and other psychiatric conditions including anxiety and depression. The objectives of the study were: to determine the general Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score of mothers of children with learning disability. To identify sociodemographic variables and to assess anxiety and depression in them.METHODS:Using structured questionnaires between March and May 2002, 106 mothers of children with learning disability in a Mentally Handicapped Home for children in Lagos, Nigeria were assessed and compared with mothers of normal healthy children in Lagos.RESULTS:The mean age of the subjects was 40.0 +/- 6.6 years. More of the subjects (26.4%) compared with mothers of normal healthy children (9.9%) had a high GHQ score and high levels of anxiety (25.5%) and depression (10.4%). Marital difficulties were associated with learning disability.CONCLUSION:Mothers of children with learning disability are prone to emotional and psychological disorders. In order to improve the well-being of children with learning disability, there is need to look into the mental and physical health of mothers. Early and prompt treatment of associated anxiety and depression will no doubt help the children