Browsing by Author "Kola, L."

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Community study of knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in Nigeria
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2005) Gureje, O.; Lasebikan, V. O.; Ephraim-Oluwanuga, O.; Olley, B. O.; Kola, L.
Background: The improvement of community tolerance of people with Mental illness is important for their integration. Little is known about the knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa. Aims: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of a representative community sample in Nigeria. Method: A multistage, clustered sample of household respondents was studied in three states in the Yoruba-speaking parts of Nigeria (representing 22% of the national population). A total of 2040 individuals participated (response rate 74.2%). Results: Poor knowledge of causation was common. Negative views of mental illness were wide spread, with as many as 96.5% (s.d. =0.5) believing that people with mental illness are dangerous because of their violent behaviour. Most would not tolerate even basic social contacts with a mentally ill person: 82.7% (s.e.=1.3) would be afraid to have a conversation with a mentally ill person and only16.9% (s.e.=0.9) would consider marrying one. Socio-demographic predictors of both poor knowledge and intolerant attitude were generally very few. Conclusions: There is widespread stigmatisation of mental illness in the Nigerian community. Negative attitudes to mental illness may be fuelled by notions of causation that suggest that affected people are in some way responsible for their illness, and by fear.
Determinants of quality of life of elderly Nigerians: results from the Ibadan study of ageing
(Elsevier Ltd., 2008) Gureje, O; Kola, L.; Afolabi, E.; Olley, B. O.
Background: Little is known about factors that determine the QoL of elderly persons living in developing societies undergoing rapid social changes. Method: A representative sample of elderly Nigerians, aged 65 years and over (n= 2152), was assessed for QoL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQoLBref). Other than sociodemographic factors, respondents were also evaluated for major depressive disorder, physical conditions as well as for social network, support and engagement. Using linear regression modeling, these factors were explored for their ability to predict the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains of QoL. Results:Economic status was the most consistent predictor of the four domains of QoL, with the coefficients ranging between 1.0 and 1.68 (p < 0.001 in every instance). Among health variables, functional disability (range: 7.07 – 19.86) and self-rated overall health (range: 7.89 – 18. 42) were the most salient. Participation in community activities (range 7.74 – 17.48) was the most consistent social predictor. As a group, social factors, especially those relating to social support and participation, were the strongest determinants of QoL. Conclusion: Even though health factors are important, social factors, in particular those relating to the quality of social support and participation, are the most important predictors of QoL.
Do beliefs about causation influence attitudes to mental illness?
(Elsevier Ltd., 2006-06) Gureje, O.; Olley, O.; Ephraim-Oluwanuga, O.; Kola, L.
Studies indicate that stigmatizing attitudes to mental illness are rampant in the community worldwide. It is unclear whether views about the causation of mental disorders identify persons with more negative attitudes. Using data collected as part of a community study of knowledge of and attitudes to mental illness in Nigeria, we examined the relationships between views about causation and attitudes. Persons holding exclusively biopsychosocial views of causation were not different from those holding exclusively religious-magical views in regard to socio-demographic attributes, and the two groups were not very dissimilar when general knowledge of the nature of mental illness was compared. However, religious-magical views of causation were more associated with negative and stigmatizing attitudes to the mentally ill. Findings demonstrate the challenge of developing and delivering an educational program to change public attitudes to mental illness.
Profile comorbidity and impact of insomnia in the Ibadan
(Elsevier Ltd., 2009) Gureje, O.; Kola, L.; Ademola, A.; Olley, B. O.
Background: Little is known about factors that determine the QoL of elderly persons living in developing societies undergoing rapid social changes. Method: A representative sample of elderly Nigerians, aged 65 years and over (n= 2152), was assessed for QoL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQoLBref). Other than sociodemographic factors, respondents were also evaluated for major depressive disorder, physical conditions as well as for social network, support and engagement. Using linear regression modeling, these factors were explored for their ability to predict the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains of QoL. Results:Economic status was the most consistent predictor of the four domains of QoL, with the coefficients ranging between 1.0 and 1.68 (p < 0.001 in every instance). Among health variables, functional disability (range: 7.07 – 19.86) and self-rated overall health (range: 7.89 – 18. 42) were the most salient. Participation in community activities (range 7.74 – 17.48) was the most consistent social predictor. As a group, social factors, especially those relating to social support and participation, were the strongest determinants of QoL. Conclusion: Even though health factors are important, social factors, in particular those relating to the quality of social support and participation, are the most important predictors of QoL.
Profile comorbidity and impact of insomnia in the Ibadan
(Elsevier Ltd., 2009) Gureje, O.; Kola, L.; Ademola, A; Olley, B. O.
Objective: To provide information on the profile, comorbidity and impact of insomnia among an understudied group of elderly Africans. Method: Using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), the 12-month prevalence of three forms of insomnia was assessed in face-to-face interviews conducted with a regionally-representative sample of elderly Nigerians, aged 65 years and over (n=2152). The association of insomnia with quality of life, rated with the WHO Quality of Life instrument, was analyzed controlling for comorbid chronic pain, chronic medical conditions and DSM-IV major depressive disorder. Results: At least one insomnia problem was reported by 30.72%. Insomnia was more frequent among females, persons aged 70 years and over, and those who were unmarried. Insomnia was comorbid with major depressive disorder (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 2.5 – 6.1), chronic pain (OR = 4.3, 95% CI 3.2 – 6.1; particularly arthritis and spinal pain), and chronic medical conditions (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.8 – 2.5, particularly heart disease, high blood pressure or asthma). Persons with insomnia were more likely to report having had a fall in the previous year (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 –1.8) and, among those with fall, injury was more commonly reported by those with insomnia. Every form of insomnia was associated with decrement in quality of life. After controlling for comorbid mental and physical conditions, the β coefficients ranged between −17.9 and −20.0. Conclusion: Insomnia was highly comorbid with chronic physical conditions and with depression. These comorbid conditions partly but do not entirely account for the considerable decrement in quality of life associated with insomnia.