The rate of PMDD in this study is high. Dysmenorrhoea of moderate/severe intensity correlated significantly with the possibility of having PMDD. Efforts should therefore be made to alleviate the pain associated with menses. In addition, the College's health-care providers should take into account the issues of dysmenorrhoea and its management more seriously by intensifying health education on dysmenorrhoea and PMDD in order to improve the quality of life of the students.

Objectives: This study was prompted by the heightened concerns about the stress inherent in medical education evident from the incessant requests for suspension of studies due to psychological problems. The objectives of the study were to: (i) survey the students for possible psychological problems at admission, and follow them up till exit for possible changes in morbidity, and (ii) ascertain possible risk factors, and coping strategies. Method: This is a preliminary 2-stage cross-sectional report, which is part of a longitudinal survey. It involves first year medical students of the College of Health Sciences of University of Ilorin between March and April, 2011. Questionnaires used included socio demographic, sources of stress, the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Maslach's burnout inventory (MBI), and Brief COPE. Data were analysed using SPSS version 15 at 5% significance level. Chi-square, frequency distributions, Pearson's correlation, Odd ratios, and Confidence Intervals were calculated to determine the levels of risk. Results: 79 students returned completed questionnaires. 12 (15.2%) were ghq-12 cases (i.e., scored ≥ 3). Students who had morbidity were 9 times at risk of being stressed consequent upon 'competing with their peers' and 4 times at risk due to 'inadequate learning materials'. Morbidity was significantly more likely to engender use of 'religion', 4 times less likely to engender use of 'positive reframing' with a trend in the use of 'self blame' as coping strategies. Conclusion: Aside from psychosocial/ personal issues in this cohort, academic demand was an additional source of psychological problems thereby causing those who had morbidity to utilize 'religion' and 'positive reframing' to cope. There is therefore an apparent need to incorporate the principle of mental health promotion in medical education.

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IntroductionDoctors are vulnerable to psychiatric morbidity as a result of their busy schedules and multiple role obligations. Yet, they often don't admit they have mental health problems nor are they readily subjected to mental health evaluation by their colleagues due to fear of labeling and general stigma.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of doctors in the service of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria was done using a socio-demographic questionnaire and the twelve items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using a cut-off point of 3 to indicate possibility of psychiatric disorder (GHQ-12 positive). Non-parametric analysis and regression test of factors associated with psychiatric morbidity was done using SPSS. Level of significance was set at 0.05 p-value.ResultsTwo hundred and forty one doctors representing 68.9% of the doctors participated in the survey. The point prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among the doctors using the GHQ-12 was 14.9%. Being married, non-participation in social activities and perception of work load as being “heavy” were significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity (p-value < 0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was higher than the general population prevalence. Measures to lessen the negative effect of marriage and the perceived heavy work load on mental health of doctors, such as provision of recreational facilities within the hospital and encouragement of doctors’ participation in social activities are advanced.

<p><strong>Objective.</strong> To determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among consultants in a tertiary health care institution in Ilorin, Nigeria, and the sociodemographic and work characteristics that may be associated with poor mental health.</p><p><strong>Method.</strong> This was a cross-sectional study involving use of the 30-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-30) and a questionnaire on sociodemographic/work-related factors. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Data Source.</strong> Consultants in the employ of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Data analysis</strong>. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.0 (SPSS 11.0). Frequency distribution, cross tabulation, and chi-square analysis were obtained, with level of significance set at 5%.</p><p><strong>Result.</strong> Fifty-four consultants responded satisfactorily to the questionnaires (response rate 69.2%); 10 (18.5%) scored 4 and above on the GHQ-30 (i.e GHQ-positive) and were therefore considered to have psychiatric morbidity. No socio demographic or work-related factors had any significant association with morbidity. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Teaching hospital consultants are as likely as any other occupational group to develop psychological morbidity, possibly owing to the role of inherently dominant factors. Regular organisation of stress management workshops/seminars and hospital management-consultant interactive forums is advocated.</p>