ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of sociodemographic and clinical variables on the quality of life of low-vision patients in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, and also determine the causative ocular pathologies and their vision-related quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of adults 18 years and above with low vision/blindness. They were consecutively enrolled and clinically evaluated. The WHO-NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire for quality of life was administered. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables. Kruskal-Wallis test, analysis of variance, and post hoc tests were done where appropriate. RESULTS: Of the 400 participants, 81% were above 40 years. Mean age was 57.27 ± 16.34 years. Males (52.0%) and females (48.0%). 225 (56.25%) had Moderately Severe Visual Impairment. Low vision/blindness negatively affected the different domains of quality of life significantly, except ocular pain and dependency. Glaucoma and Cataract were the major disease conditions that affected most of the domains significantly. These conditions when poorly managed, due to poor and limited health resources, progress to low vision/blindness. Of all the socio-demographic factors and clinical variables studied, only age and severity of low vision were significant predictors of quality of life. CONCLUSION: There is the need for prompt and proper treatment of low-vision patients and advocacy for the establishment of adequate and functional rehabilitation services. Quality of life which measures the overall impact of a disease on an individual was low in people with low vision and blindness. Low-vision services, which include rehabilitation, will provide comprehensive eye-care services and thus improve their quality of life.
Subject(s)
Vision, Low , Adult , Male , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Vision, Low/epidemiology , Vision, Low/etiology , Quality of Life , Cross-Sectional Studies , Visual Acuity , Nigeria/epidemiology , Blindness/epidemiology , Blindness/etiology , Vision Disorders , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Loneliness is the feeling of distress that arises when an individual perceives his or her social relationships as being less satisfying than what is desired. Life satisfaction is a global assessment of an individual's quality of life based on his chosen criteria. This descriptive cross sectional study assessed loneliness, life satisfaction and psychological distress among 480 out of school adolescents using the UCLA loneliness scale, the Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) and the General Health questionnaire. Reasons for out of school are poverty (45.0%), eager to do business (30.0%) and death of parents (20.0%). 25.8% experienced frequent loneliness while 24.2% had psychological distress. Findings were discussed in line with literature reviewed and recommendations made.
Subject(s)
Loneliness/psychology , Personal Satisfaction , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Parental Death , Poverty , Quality of Life , Schools , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with perceived stress among medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of students (n=623) selected across eight medical schools in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire obtained socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), other psychoactive drug use (Drug Abuse Screening Test), anxiety/depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) and stress (Perceived Medical School Stress Scale). We performed bivariate analysis using the chi-squared test, t-test and one-way ANOVA, with multiple regression analysis for multivariate testing in analysing the data. RESULTS: Most students reported experiencing medical school stress. Female participants were more likely to perceive medical school as competitive (t(621)=1.17, p=0.003), less likely to see medical school as a threat (t(621)=-2.70, p=0.01) or worry about finances (t(621)=-4.80, p=0.001). Nearly a quarter; 21.3% (n=133) and 28.6% (n=178) reported depression and anxiety symptoms respectively. Approximately 4.2% (n=26) were dependent on alcohol, while 14.1% (n=88) had 'low-risk use' for other psychoactive substances. In the multiple regression model, lack of finance (B=2.881, p=0.001), weak adherence to religious faith (B=2.376, p=0.001), anxiety symptoms (B=-2.231, p=0.002), problematic alcohol use (B=5.196, p=0.001) and choice of study influenced by parents (B=-3.105, p=0.001) were predictors of greater perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students in Nigeria report high levels of stress. Incorporating stress reduction strategies in the medical curriculum, and the input of students in providing feedback regarding the methods and styles of undergraduate medical education is required.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Students, Medical/psychology , Adult , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Curriculum , Depression/epidemiology , Feedback , Female , Humans , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Perception , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Regression Analysis , Schools, Medical , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Psychosis, as the first presentation of thyrotoxicosis, is extremely rare. Consequently, it is often misdiagnosed as a primary psychiatric disorder, especially in developing countries with poor healthcare facilities. Owing to the high level of illiteracy and lack of knowledge, it is fairly common to ascribe many illnesses to spiritual attacks in Nigeria and other African countries, especially when the disease is rarely seen or is associated with psychiatric manifestations. Herein, we present the case of a teenage female Nigerian and review the literature on this subject.
