Depression in elderly people living in rural Nigeria and its association with perceived health, poverty, and social network.

Background: The relationship between late-life depression, poverty, social network, and perceived health is little studied in Africa; the magnitude of the problem remains largely unknown and there is an urgent need to research into this area.

Methods: We interviewed community dwelling elderly persons of two rural areas in Nigeria using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). Those who scored 11 and above on the GDS-30 were further interviewed using Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMSS).

Prevalence of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) among Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Northern Nigeria.

Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a great source of morbidity in sub-Saharan African region. However, the magnitude of this problem remains largely uninvestigated despite having the largest number of population with HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HAND among patients attending a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.

Cerebral atrophy and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: report of two cases and review of literature.

A report of two cases of cerebral atrophy and dementia possibly arising as a result of poor control of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are presented The two elderly patients presented to the old age Psychiatric clinic with history of impairment in memory and changes in personality. They had a history of long standing poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. They were assessed using psychometric instruments, laboratory investigation and neuro-imaging.

Sleep quality among primary care attendees in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria: a case-control study.

Objective: To assess sleep quality and its determinants among primary care patients in a Northern Nigerian setting.

Methods: We administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to 217 consecutive patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic of Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, and PSQI to 223 age-matched controls to evaluate their sleep quality and levels of anxiety and depression. A data collection sheet was used to record the sociodemographic characteristics of patients and controls, and the clinical characteristics of the patients.

The burden experienced by family caregivers of patients with epilepsy attending the government psychiatric hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Background: Caring for patients with chronic medical and psychiatric disorders is associated with significant burden. However little is known about the burden experience by caregivers of patients with epilepsy in Nigeria. The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess the level and correlates of burden among caregivers of patients with epilepsy.

Caregiver burden among poor caregivers of patients with cancer in an urban African setting.

Objectives: The nature and magnitude of the problems facing caregivers remain largely unknown in developing countries of the world. This study addresses these issues in a group of caregivers of patients with cancer in Zaria, Nigeria.

Method: One hundred and three patients attending an oncology outpatient clinic at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital were enrolled in the study with their caregivers.

Factors associated with emotional distress among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Katsina, Nigeria.

Background: Caregivers play an important role in the management of chronic mental illness in the community. Caring for patients with chronic mental illness like schizophrenia can cause emotional distress in the caregivers. However, the magnitude of the problem remains largely unknown in Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries.