Medication Adherence in Patients Living with Schizophrenia Attending University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State (Published)
Schizophrenia is a disabling neuropsychiatric disorder which is chronic and needs prolonged pharmacological treatment in order to be optimally managed. Nonetheless, the problem of medication adherence is still a significant issue, especially in the resource-limited environments. This research examined medication compliance and socio-demographic predictors of medication compliance in a sample of schizophrenic patients in the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The type of cross-sectional design was descriptive with a sample of 295 patients chosen by simple random sampling. The structured questionnaire and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) were used to collect data. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 28 and descriptive statistics were used as well as chi-square with a 5% level of significance. The results showed that 58.6 percent of the respondents were adherent to the prescribed medications and 41.4 percent were non-adherent. Medication adherence was found to be strongly related to age and length of illness with younger patients and those with shorter illness showing poorer adherence patterns. The rest of the socio-demographic factors (gender, marital status, education level and occupation) were not significantly associated with adherence. The research concluded that the level of adherence was rather moderate, but non-adherence is a significant issue. Both younger and newly diagnosed patients and long-term adherence support strategies should be targeted to enhance treatment outcomes and decrease the relapse rates in schizophrenics.
Keywords: Mental Health, Schizophrenia., Socio- Demographic Factors, antipsychotic therapy, medication adherence
Association of Church-House Noise Pollution On Mental Health of Individuals Living in Proximity in Owerri, Imo State (Published)
Noise pollution is a pervasive environmental issue with significant implications for human health and well-being. This study investigates the association of noise pollution, particularly emanating from religious activities in churches, on the mental well-being of residents in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, allowing for the collection of structured data at a single point in time. The study was conducted in the Owerri Municipal area due to its high density of residential areas and places of worship. The study population comprised two groups of individuals: those residing in close proximity to church houses and those not living in close proximity. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula, resulting in a sample size of approximately 152 for each group. Data was collected using a self-designed questionnaire titled “Church-House Noise Pollution and Mental Health Association Questionnaire (CHNPMHAQ)”. The questionnaires underwent a rigorous validation process to ensure their validity and reliability. Data was collected by the researcher and three trained research assistants, and was analyzed using tables, mean, and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlation. The findings reveal that residents living near church houses perceive frequent disturbance and disruption of peace due to noise pollution, while those farther away are less affected. Noise pollution has significant adverse effects on the mental health of residents living near church houses, leading to increased stress, poor sleep quality, and negative mood changes. However, residents far from church houses reported association on their mental health. Specifically, mean responses for stress levels, sleep quality, and mood changes were 2.78, 2.72, and 2.68 respectively for residents near church houses, while for residents far from church houses, these were 1.60, 1.61, and 1.63, indicating significantly lower impact. These findings underscore the need for mitigation measures to address noise pollution from church houses, particularly for residents living in close proximity, and highlight the importance of tailored interventions to support affected residents’ mental well-being.
Keywords: Mental Health, Pollution, church-house, noise