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This study revealed that self-stigma was common among subjects with schizophrenia. It is associated with poor treatment outcome, highlighting the need to incorporate stigma intervention strategies into mental health care delivery.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression among caregivers of children with seizure disorders. Methods: Two hundred and two caregivers of children with seizure disorders were administered socio-demographic questionnaires at the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic between October 2011 and March 2012. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis 1 Diagnosis (SCID) was used for diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression. Results: One hundred and forty six (72%) of the carers were females, with mothers of patients accounting for 66% of respondents. The prevalence of generalized anxiety among the respondents was 12%, while that of major depressive disorder was 50.5%. The socio-demographic characteristics of carers associated with psychiatric morbidity included older age range (χ 2 =18.67, p=0.001), being employed (χ 2 =10.41, p=0.015), longer duration of care (χ 2 =18.07, p=0.001) and being patients' mother (χ 2 =10.17, p=0.032). Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are common among caregivers of children with seizure disorders. Caregivers' socio-demographic characteristics and patients' clinical variables are associated with prevalence of anxiety and depression. These findings suggest the need to adopt a holistic approach to the detection of these disorders and developing adequate intervention for these caregivers.

BackgroundIn psychotic disorders, early intervention with antipsychotic medications increases the likelihood of favourable long-term course. However, the pharmacologic management especially with conventional antipsychotic medications is complicated by a high rate of adverse effects including sexual dysfunction. This study aims to determine the demographic and clinical factors associated with sexual dysfunction among male psychiatric outpatients on conventional antipsychotic medications in South-western Nigeria.MethodsTwo hundred and seventy five consecutive male outpatients with psychotic disorders on conventional antipsychotic medications were interviewed. Data was collected on demographic characteristics, illness-related and medication-related variables. Illness severity was assessed with the Brief psychiatric rating scale. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used to assess for sexual dysfunctions.ResultsA total of 111 (40.4%) respondents had one or more forms of sexual dysfunction. Sexual desire dysfunction was present in 47 (17.1%) of respondents, erectile dysfunction in 95 (34.5%), orgasmic dysfunctions in 51 (18.5%), intercourse dissatisfaction in 72 (26.2%) and overall dissatisfaction in 64 (23.3%). Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with employment status, age, marital status, haloperidol use, medication dosage, and presence of psychopathology. Unemployment was the only significant independent correlate of sexual dysfunction, with unemployed respondents twice more likely to have sexual dysfunction compared with those employed (Wald = 3.865, Odds Ratio = 2.033, 95% confidence interval = 1.002 - 4.124, p = 0.049).ConclusionsThe high prevalence of sexual dysfunction found in this study suggests a need among clinicians for increased awareness and recognition of the sexual side effects in patients taking conventional antipsychotic medications. This knowledge should guide conventional antipsychotic medication prescription in the at-risk population to improve treatment adherence.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is associated with psychological conse-

Few studies in Nigeria have investigated the burden of caring for elderly persons with mental illness. The aim of this study was to examine psychiatric morbidity and burden of care among caregivers of outpatients of a psychogeriatric clinic. Burden of care was evaluated with Zarit Burden Interview. A questionnaire was also used to elicit caregivers' sociodemographic and caregiving variables while psychological well-being was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Overall, 52.3% had high care burden. High care burden was associated with financial difficulty (χ(2) = 9.37; df = 1; p = 0.002; OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.50-6.4), restrictions on caregivers' social activity (χ(2) = 4.87; df = 1; p = 0.027; OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.09-5.27), lack of support from relatives (χ(2) = 6.85; df = 1; p = 0.009; OR = 6.3; 95% CI = 1.35-29.6), physical health problems (χ(2) = 10.52; df = 1; p = 0.001; OR = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.75-12.7), and psychiatric morbidity (χ(2) = 4.05; df = 1; p = 0.044; OR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.00-6.85). Psychiatric morbidity was predicted by physical health problems (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.1-8.1), financial difficulty (OR = 17.2; 95% CI = 3.8-77.5), and job loss (OR = 5.3; 95% CI = 2.0-13.8). Care burden is a significant problem among caregivers of elderly persons with mental illness attending the clinic. This may have important implications for the mental well-being of the patients.