PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ekpo

Publications and source records attributed to M Ekpo.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Oil doom and AIDS boom in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

CONTEXT: There has been a steady rise in Nigeria's HIV/AIDS burden since the first sero-prevalence survey in 1991. Nigeria's economy is mainly dependent on oil that comes from the Niger Delta Region. The majority of the people of the Niger delta region depend on fishing and farming for livelihood. Years of oil exploration activities with frequent oil spillages have led to severe environmental degradation with resultant destruction of farmlands and aquatic flora and fauna. The situation of the people of Niger Delta is characterised by poverty, high fertility and disease. ISSUE: Oil has become, to the people of the Niger Delta region a doom that has contributed in no small measure to the AIDS boom in the region. The relationship between such a burden and poverty has been forged by years of official neglect, and the presence of foreign workers. In addition, young Nigerians are drawn to the Niger Delta region by the oil economy, searching for non-existent jobs. Within Nigeria, the states of the Niger Delta region bear the burden of the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the region's poverty amidst plenty, has a negative impact on the population. LESSONS: The article concludes that the HIV/AIDS burden of the region deserves urgent and special attention because it has far-reaching implications, not only for control efforts in Nigeria, but also for the rest of the world, as nationals of various countries find employment in its oil fields. A number of recommendations are made.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Lagos "area boys and girls" in rehabilitation: their substance use and psychosocial profiles.

We report on the psychosocial and substance use profiles of the 55 "Area Boys and Girls" (ABG) admitted to a Rehabilitation Camp in Lagos between March and May 1993 under the main auspices of the People's Bank of Nigeria. The majority were males (73%); young adults (mean age/SD: 30.6/6.3); unemployed (73%); not married (80%); of low educational standing (87%) and from low socio-economic background (over 70%). Almost all were current users of heroin (89%) and cocaine (87%), procured with a substantial amount of money and administered mainly through smoking and "chasing the dragon". None of the clients reported injecting the drug. These findings have highlighted the intricate nature of the problems of ABG and the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation package encompassing general medical, psychological and psychiatric care. Such programmes, ideally free, should be a joint venture between the government, international agencies, non-governmental organizations and the community as a whole. The key emphasis should be on equipping the clients with occupational skills for life-long economic sustenance. To curtail the growing numbers of displaced young people in the country, the government should give due attention to the root causes of the multiple social ills in the society.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The Othello syndrome.

A case of the Othello syndrome is presented. In its classical form the syndrome is rare, but as with other allied paranoid states, its medicosocial implications are great. Rational management should include pharmacotherapy, conjoint family therapy after symptom remission, and long-term individual psychotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A controlled study of anxiety and depression in mothers of children with learning disability in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with learning disability have been reported to suffer great stress and frustration due to increased burden of care. The manifestation of stigmatization by familial environment and the collective effect of the children with adverse impact on mothers predispose them to mental shock or a variety of neurotic symptoms and other psychiatric conditions including anxiety and depression. The objectives of the study were: to determine the general Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score of mothers of children with learning disability. To identify sociodemographic variables and to assess anxiety and depression in them. METHODS: Using structured questionnaires between March and May 2002, 106 mothers of children with learning disability in a Mentally Handicapped Home for children in Lagos, Nigeria were assessed and compared with mothers of normal healthy children in Lagos. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 40.0 +/- 6.6 years. More of the subjects (26.4%) compared with mothers of normal healthy children (9.9%) had a high GHQ score and high levels of anxiety (25.5%) and depression (10.4%). Marital difficulties were associated with learning disability. CONCLUSION: Mothers of children with learning disability are prone to emotional and psychological disorders. In order to improve the well-being of children with learning disability, there is need to look into the mental and physical health of mothers. Early and prompt treatment of associated anxiety and depression will no doubt help the children.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of childhood behavioural disorders in Ilorin, Nigeria--findings from parental reports.

We report the findings of a survey aimed at determining the prevalence, pattern and psychosocial correlates of childhood psychiatric disorders among primary school pupils in Ilorin, Kwara State. Eight hundred and forty-six parents completed the 31-item Rutter scale A2 and an additional pro-forma on the developmental and family history of their children. The most commonly reported symptoms were headache, vomiting, tempertantrums, restlessness, disobedience and fearfulness. Using Rutter's cut off point of 13, 157 (18.6%) qualified as cases: neurotic disorders (7.3%), antisocial disorders (8%) and undifferentiated disorders (3.3%). Males were over-represented, albeit non-significantly, among the neurotic and antisocial groups. Mothers of high scorers (HSs) reported significantly more physical and emotional problems during pregnancy. HSs were significantly more likely to (i) have had delayed developmental milestones (ii) have suffered a major illness during childhood (iii) come from broken homes, and (iv) attend school located in the rural area. Our prevalence rate compares well with those reported in Africa and elsewhere. To address the identified unmet needs of children in this environment, we suggest the need to establish a comprehensive child mental health package, which could be incorporated into the existing primary health care programme. The package should encompass the three tiers of prevention, and involve the active participation of parents, teachers, educational, as well as health professionals.

Adolescent↗