Prevalence and control of hypertension among people living with HIV receiving care at a Nigerian hospital.

Introduction: with the introduction of newer and safer antiretroviral drugs, HIV positive persons are now living longer. Consequently, cardiovascular diseases associated with ageing and chronic low grade inflammation due to the presence of the virus are increasingly found in this population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and control of hypertension among people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving care at a Nigerian hospital. Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the Patient´s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (PHKQ) validation study among HIV positive outpatients at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Hypertension was self-reported and confirmed by a documented physician diagnosis in the patient´s case notes and/or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication. For each participant, the average of two close blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained using an automatic upper arm BP monitor was taken as the BP. Hypertension control was defined as SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg. Data were analysed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) v.21.0. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV was 24.9%. Age (OR = 1.112, CI = 1.074 - 1.151, p < 0.001), body mass index (OR = 1.087, CI = 1.024 - 1.154, p = 0.004) and duration on antiretroviral therapy (OR = 1.169, CI = 1.090 - 1.254, p < 0.001) significantly predicted hypertension. Only 19 (24.4%) participants had controlled hypertension. Conclusion: hypertension is common among PLHIV seeking care at a Nigerian hospital. However, its control remains suboptimal. Regular screening for hypertension, its appropriate treatment and optimal control are essential in PLHIV.

Cross-sectional survey of mental health literacy among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess knowledge of schizophrenia and help-seeking behaviour among undergraduate students of a Nigerian university. Sociodemographic predictors of correct recognition were also explored. DESIGN: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. SETTING: The study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, a pioneer university located in Southeastern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria. METHODS: All consenting male and female students of three purposively selected faculties were recruited for the study. Self-administered vignette-based questionnaires were distributed to students of the selected faculties between September and November 2018. Data were analysed using the IBM Statistical Product and Services Solution for Windows V.21.0. RESULTS: Out of the 400 questionnaires that were distributed, 389 were completed and returned (97.3% response rate). Respondents were mainly female (64.9%, n=252) and were between the ages of 18 and 24 years (75.8%, n=294). One in eight respondents (12.1%, n=47) correctly identified and labelled the schizophrenia vignette. Hallucination was the most identified symptom of distress for schizophrenia (47.9%, n=186). The most common alternative label for schizophrenia was 'mental illness' (24.7%, n=96). Schizophrenia was also mislabelled as depression (11.6%, n=45). More than a 10th of the respondents used stigmatising labels such as 'crazy' and 'mad' (11.1%, n=43). Psychiatrists were the most recommended source of help for the vignette character (36.3%, n=141). There was a strong association between the faculty of study and the ability to correctly identify and label the schizophrenia vignette (χ2=44.557, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Mental health literacy among students of the University of Nigeria was poor. Research on culturally sensitive interventions to improve mental health literacy should be embarked on.