Developing a Psychiatry Residency Program in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Botswana's Experience.

Like many other low- and middle-income countries, Botswana has struggled to address the shortage of doctors, particularly specialists. In 2009, the country's first medical school offering an undergraduate medical program was established. A needs and feasibility assessment was conducted with relevant stakeholders to explore the need for specialty training programs in all medical school departments.

Correlates of adverse childhood experiences among admitted patients with schizophrenia in a referral psychiatric hospital in Botswana.

Introduction: Schizophrenia is becoming more prevalent globally, particularly in lower and middle-income countries. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significant risk factors for developing and worsening the disorder. This study aimed to determine the pattern and correlates of ACE among inpatients with Schizophrenia at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Botswana.

Impact of Psychiatry Posting on Attitudes Toward Mental Illness: A Prospective Cohort Study of Medical Students From Three Universities.

Introduction: Negative attitudes towards mental illness are known to exist among medical students in Nigeria. However, the effect of undergoing a rotation in psychiatry on their attitudes is uncertain.

Objectives: It aimed to determine the effect of psychiatry posting during medical training on medical students' attitudes toward mental illness and examine the association of posting-related and demographic factors with their attitudes.

Association between dopamine receptor D2 IA gene polymorphism (rs1800497) and personality traits.

Objective: This study aimed to find a potential association between the 1A gene polymorphism (rs1800497 C32806T) and personality traits.

Methods: In all, 249 youths were recruited for this study. The Short-form Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was administered to assess personality traits.

The quality of life and its inter-relationship with posttraumatic stress disorder and social support in two post-conflict communities in Nigeria.

The study aimed to compare the quality of life (QoL) in two communities with different exposures to conflict and investigate the inter-relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social support, and QoL. This is a cross-sectional with 413 participants. Study instruments included the PTSD module of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQoL-BREF), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of tuberous sclerosis in a young man in a psychiatric hospital in Botswana: a case report.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), first described in 1880, is a disorder that affects multiple systems. Its symptoms include seizures, intellectual disability, and angiofibromas. TSC is caused by mutations in the and genes and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and its relationship with cognitive impairment, alcohol use disorder, and depression in adolescents living with HIV.

Objective: We aimed to compare antiretroviral non-adherence in the behaviourally infected (BIAs) and congenitally infected adolescents (CIAs) and explore its associations with depression, cognitive impairment, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adolescents living with HIV(ALWHIV) in Botswana.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, multi-center research that involved collecting samples from different HIV clinics in Botswana. Of the 622 ALWHIV, 223 were identified as BIAs and 399 as CIAs.

Association of Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) 40 bp 3' UTR VNTR Polymorphism (rs28363170) and Cannabis Use Disorder.

Introduction: Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug among Nigerians, often associated with psychiatric disorders. Since genetic predisposition has been implicated in substance use disorders, we, therefore, aimed at finding out the relationship between dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) polymorphism and cannabis use disorder.

Methods: We recruited 104 patients from a tertiary psychiatric facility in Lagos, Nigeria, who were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder according to ICD-10 and 96 non-smokers as a comparative group.

Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder in HIV-Infected Adolescents in Botswana: A Comparison Between the Congenitally Infected and Behaviorally Infected Adolescents.

Substance use is a major obstacle to preventing and managing HIV among adolescents, who account for 30% of new infections in many parts of the world, including Botswana. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data on adolescent substance use, especially in the region. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pattern of psychoactive substance use in adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV).

Psychiatric disorders in adolescents living with HIV in Botswana.

Background: As children living with HIV transition from adolescence into adulthood, they face a considerable burden of psychiatric disorders (PDs) which may vary between the perinatally and behaviorally infected. The knowledge of the pattern of these PDs in relation to the varying needs of the adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) is unclear but necessary for maximizing their linkage to care and improving their quality of life in Botswana.  AIM: To determine the pattern of PDs in ALWHIV in Botswana; to compare and explore the differences in the pattern and their associated factors between congenitally infected adolescents (CIAs) and behaviorally infected adolescents (BIAs).

The effectiveness of psychoeducation and problem-solving on depression and treatment adherence in adolescents living with HIV in Botswana: an exploratory clinical trial.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of psychological interventions (PI): psychoeducation, problem-solving, and rehearsal strategies on depression and adherence in HIV-infected adolescents in Botswana.

Methods: Fifty adolescents living with HIV were randomized into control (n = 25) and intervention groups (n = 25), the latter being exposed to five weeks of PI sessions. The PHQ-9 and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to measure the outcomes: depression and adherence at pre-intervention, 5- and 24 weeks post-intervention.

Validation of the Sleep Quality Questionnaire among senior students in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: The Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ) is a short and easy-to-understand resourceful tool for measuring poor sleep quality; however, it remains to be validated.

Aim: The focus of this study is to determine its reliability and validity among Nigerian adolescents.

Setting: Four gender-mixed schools within Benin City, Nigeria were selected to participate in the study.

Pattern of substance use and substance use disorder in adolescent learners at public secondary schools in Gaborone, Botswana.

Introduction: Substance use amongst adolescents remains a global public health challenge. The potential negative health outcomes of substance use suggest the need to understand the pattern of use and the associated factors among adolescents. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of substance use, SUDs, and PD and the associated factors in adolescent learners at public schools in Gaborone, Botswana.

Psychiatric disorders and associated risk factors in a sample of adolescents in Gaborone, Botswana: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the high proportion of adolescents living with mental health issues in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in Botswana, there is a significant deficit of local research to guide an increase in prevention and treatment. We, therefore, aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of psychiatric disorders (PD) in a sample of secondary school students in Botswana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 750 students from the 13 public secondary schools in Gaborone using a multi-stage sampling technique.

Psychosocial predictors of anxiety and depression in a sample of healthcare workers in Botswana during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare workers across multiple hospitals in different districts in Botswana.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in five public-funded hospitals from three districts in Botswana from 1 June 2020 to 30 October 2020. We used the neuroticism subscale of the 44-item Big Five Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire, the Oslo 3-item Social Support Scale, the Anxiety Rating Scale, and the 14-item Resilience Scale to obtain data from 355 healthcare workers.

Knowledge of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and sleep problems among a selected sample of psychiatric hospital staff in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads, sleep problems are expected to increase among healthcare workers. Therefore, we aimed to assess the knowledge of COVID-19, sleep problem and identify sociodemographic factors associated with sleep problems among healthcare workers in a Nigerian neuropsychiatric hospital.

Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 healthcare workers in a neuropsychiatric hospital using self-administered questionnaires to assess knowledge of COVID-19, sleep problem, social support, and sociodemographic factors that affect sleep.

Neuroticism, resilience, and social support: correlates of severe anxiety among hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and Botswana.

Background: The role of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic may make them more susceptible to anxiety than the general population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and evaluate the potential effects of resilience, neuroticism, social support, and other sociodemographic factors on anxiety among HCWs from two African countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 373 HCWs was conducted in Botswana and Nigeria, using an anxiety rating scale, neuroticism subscale of Big Five Inventory, Oslo social support scale, and Resilience Scale.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in school-age children in Gaborone, Botswana: Comorbidity and risk factors.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Its occurrence and pattern of presentation are unknown in Botswana.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), associated comorbid conditions and risk factors amongst school-age children in Botswana.

Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescents Living with HIV and Association with Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a systematic approach to exploring the prevalence of psychiatric disorders (PDs) and adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) is lacking. This study aimed to systematically review the studies conducted in SSA on the prevalence of PDs among ALWHIV and their association with ART adherence. A systematic search of all English studies assessing PDs among ALWHIV using the Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO databases was conducted between March 1 and September 30, 2019.

Mental health research in Botswana: a semi-systematic scoping review.

Mental and substance use disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite this, there is a paucity of mental health research in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We carried out a semi-systematic scoping review to determine the extent of mental health research in Botswana.

Psychological Distress, Drug Use, and Internet Use: The Association with Poor Sleep Quality in a Sample of Secondary School Students.

Sleep problems are common among children and adolescents. Sleep quality plays a significant role in their mental health. We aimed to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQ) among secondary school students, identify sociodemographic factors associated with PSQ in this group, and examine the independent associations of psychological distress, stimulant use, and internet use with PSQ.

Cannabis Use Disorder Among First-Year Undergraduate Students in Gaborone, Botswana.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) poses major clinical and public health concerns globally. It is a growing problem among the youth in Botswana, yet little research has been done on this subject. The present study hoped to address this gap in knowledge by determining the prevalence and associated factors of CUD among first-year university students in Botswana.