An evaluation of psychological distress and social support of survivors and contacts of Ebola virus disease infection and their relatives in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross sectional study − 2014

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Abdulaziz Mohammed¹  Taiwo Lateef Sheikh²  Funmi Doherty³  Reginald O. Obiako⁴  Joseph Adeyemi⁵  Akin Oyemakinde⁶  Faisal Shuaib⁶  Olukayode Oguntimehin⁷  Ismail Adeshina Abdus-salam⁷  Abdulsalami Nasidi⁸  Ogbonna Uzoma⁹  Gabriele Poggensee⁹  Ndadilnasiya Waziri⁹  Abubakar Ahmed⁹  Patrick Nguku⁹  Saheed Gidado⁹  Adebola Olayinka^1,10  Chima Ohuabunwo^1,11  Charles Kyalo Nzuki^1,12  Sarah Beysolow Nyanti^1,12 

[1] Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna, Barnawa, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria;Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna, Barnawa, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria;Department of Psychiatry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria;Department of Medical Social Services, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria;Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;Department of Psychiatry, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria;Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria;Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos, Nigeria;Nigerian Center for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria;Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP), Abuja, Nigeria;Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP), Abuja, Nigeria;Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria;Nigerian Stop Polio Program (NSTOP), Abuja, Nigeria;United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF), Lagos, Nigeria;

关键词: Psychological Distress;    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;    General Health Questionnaire;    Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome;    Outbreak Response;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-2167-6

 received in 2015-02-26, accepted in 2015-08-18,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundBy September 2014, an outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) in West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Nigeria, had recorded over 4500 and 2200 probable or confirmed cases and deaths respectively. EVD, an emerging infectious disease, can create fear and panic among patients, contacts and relatives, which could be a risk factor for psychological distress. Psychological distress among this subgroup could have public health implication for control of EVD, because of potential effects on patient management and contact tracing. We determined the Prevalence, pattern and factors associated with psychological distress among survivors and contacts of EVD and their relatives.MethodsIn a descriptive cross sectional study, we used General Health Questionnaire to assess psychological distress and Oslo Social Support Scale to assess social support among 117 participants who survived EVD, listed as EVD contacts or their relatives at Ebola Emergency Operation Center in Lagos, Nigeria. Factors associated with psychological distress were determined using chi square/odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio.ResultsThe mean age and standard deviation of participants was 34 +/ - 9.6 years. Of 117 participants, 78 (66.7 %) were females, 77 (65.8 %) had a tertiary education and 45 (38.5 %) were health workers. Most frequently occurring psychological distress were inability to concentrate (37.6 %) and loss of sleep over worry (33.3 %). Losing a relation to EVD outbreak (OR = 6.0, 95 % CI, 1.2–32.9) was significantly associated with feeling unhappy or depressed while being a health worker was protective (OR = 0.4, 95 % CI, 0.2–0.9). Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) showed losing a relation (AOR = 5.7, 95 % CI, 1.2–28.0) was a predictor of “feeling unhappy or depressed”, loss of a relation (AOR = 10.1, 95 % CI, 1.7–60.7) was a predictor of inability to concentrate.ConclusionsSurvivors and contacts of EVD and their relations develop psychological distress. Development of psychological distress could be predicted by loss of family member. It is recommended that psychiatrists and other mental health specialists be part of case management teams. The clinical teams managing EVD patients should be trained on recognition of common psychological distress among patients. A mental health specialist should review contacts being monitored for EVD for psychological distress or disorders.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Mohammed et al. 2015