Biomedical subjects

Muktar H Aliyu

Publications and source records attributed to Muktar H Aliyu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Project among African-Americans to explore risks for schizophrenia (PAARTNERS): recruitment and assessment methods.

The Project among African-Americans to Explore Risks for Schizophrenia (PAARTNERS) is a multi-site, NIMH-funded study that seeks to identify genetic polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to schizophrenia among African-Americans by linkage mapping and targeted association analyses. Because deficits in certain dimensions of cognitive ability are thought to underlie liability to schizophrenia, the project also examines cognitive abilities in individuals affected by schizophrenia and their extended family members. This article describes PAARTNERS study design, ascertainment methods and preliminary sample characteristics. We aim to recruit a sample of 1260 African-American families, all of whom have at least one proband with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The data collection protocol includes a structured Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, Family Interview for Genetic Studies, focused neurocognitive assessment, medical records review, and the collection of blood or buccal cells for genetic analyses. We have currently completed study procedures for 106 affected sib-pair, 457 case-parent trio and 23 multiplex families. A total of 289 probands have completed the best estimate final diagnosis process and 1153 probands and family members have been administered the computerized neuropsychological battery. This project lays the foundation for future analysis of cognitive and behavioral endophenotypes. This novel integration of diagnostic, neurocognitive and genetic data will also generate valuable information for future phenotypic and genetic studies of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Is small for gestational age a marker of future fetal survival in utero?

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess whether small for gestational age is a risk factor for stillbirth of a subsequent sibling. METHODS: The Missouri maternally linked cohort data set, containing data on births from 1978 through 1997, was used. We identified the study group (women who delivered a SGA infant in the first pregnancy) and a comparison group (women who delivered a non-SGA infant in their first pregnancy) and compared the outcome (stillbirth) in the second pregnancy between both groups. RESULTS: We analyzed information on the first and second pregnancies of 402,015 women (43,549 [10.8%] in the study arm and 358,466 [89.2%] in the comparison arm). Of the 1,883 cases of stillbirth in the second pregnancy, 314 cases occurred in mothers with a history of SGA (stillbirth rate 7.2/1,000) and 1,569 in the comparison group (stillbirth rate 4.4/1,000), P < .001. The adjusted risk of stillbirth was 60% higher in women with a prior SGA (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-1.8). The risk for stillbirth in the second pregnancy increased with decreasing gestational age at birth of the SGA infant in the first pregnancy (term: OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6; preterm: OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0-3.8; and very preterm: OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.4-7.3), P for trend < .001. CONCLUSION: Small for gestational age is a marker for subsequent stillbirth, and the risk rises with decreasing gestational age of the SGA birth. This information is potentially useful for counseling parents of SGA infants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

African-American community attitudes and perceptions toward schizophrenia and medical research: an exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION: Ensuring adequate representation of all demographic groups in medical research is necessary in order to ensure that the benefits associated with participation are equitably shared. Mental health research is unique in that the stigma associated with mental illness, such as schizophrenia, further hinders participation. Using focus groups, we set out to explore the attitudes and views of African Americans with regard to schizophrenia and medical research. METHODS: Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 23 participants divided into two groups of working and retired adults, and two groups of full- and part-time students selected from inner-city residents of Birmingham, AL, and surrounding counties. Data obtained were analyzed using the content analysis method. RESULTS: Diverse views were expressed about the cause of mental illness, and much of this was influenced by cultural beliefs. There was considerable misunderstanding of schizophrenia, and the majority of participants described the disease in terms of positive symptoms only. Whereas for older participants the Tuskegee syphilis study experience was an important factor in their reluctance to participate in medical research, younger participants expressed no knowledge of the study. Among younger participants an assumed level of social distrust was evident, with prominent fear of participating in research that employs physically intrusive methods. CONCLUSION: The provision of accurate information through trusted community sources and open dialogue will help to dispel myths, correct faulty assumptions and increase African-American participation in schizophrenia research.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2006

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards voluntary counseling and testing among adults.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has the third highest population of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is still low, especially in the rural areas. This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards VCT among adults in a rural community in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A pretested questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 210 adults in Danbare village, northern Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitudes toward VCT was elicited among respondents. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (59%) did not know the causative agent of AIDS; however, knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 71% and 64% of study participants mentioning sexual activity and unscreened blood transfusion, respectively, as possible transmission routes. Respondents listed avoidance of premarital sex, outlawing prostitution, condom use and screening of blood before transfusion as protective measures. Overall, 58 (27.6%), 80 (38.1%) and 72 (34.3%) of the respondents had good, fair and poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, female gender and formal education remained significant predictors of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Reasons for rejection of VCT included fear of stigma, marital disharmony, incurable nature of the disease and cost of treatment. Formal education, female gender and HIV knowledge significantly predicted positive attitude toward VCT for HIV/AIDS among the study population. CONCLUSION: More than half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and the majority were willing to have VCT. However, misconceptions, fear, gaps in knowledge and limited access to VCT remain prevalent. Our findings suggest the need to provide health education and scale up VCT services in northern Nigeria by targeting the efforts of international and local development partners to underserved rural areas.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed2005

Ethnic and age-related fat free mass loss in older Americans: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

BACKGROUND: Although age-related loss of fat free mass (FFM) is well known, there is paucity of data on national estimates, and on the differential influence of ethnicity on the decline in FFM with increasing age. We determined whether age-related loss in FFM and fat free mass index (FFMI) vary by gender and or ethnicity, using representative data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). METHODS: Analyses were limited to 5,803 non-institutionalized, non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans (Blacks) over the age of 40 years. Body density was calculated from the sum of 3-skinfolds, and percent body fat estimated from body density. FFM was estimated by subtracting body fat from body weight, while FFMI was defined as FFM (kilograms) divided by the square of body height (meter2). RESULTS: Overall FFM and FFMI were significantly higher in black women than white women (P = 0.001; P = 0.001 respectively), but similar in black men compared to white men. Age-related decline in FFM reached significance level earlier in black men (at age 65-69) than white men (at age 70-74), and in black women (at age 70-74) than white women (at age 75-79). Similar decline in FFMI was noted in men and in women. In multivariate analyses, FFM significantly associated with ethnicity (p = 0.012) and with age (p < 0.001) in women, but only with age (p < 0.001) in men. In men and in women, FFMI significantly associated with ethnicity (p < 0.001; p = 0.003 respectively) and with age (p < 0.001; p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: Age-related loss and decline in FFM and FFMI in older Americans is higher for black men and women, than for white men and women. The development of focused population-based preventive strategies is likely to improve functional independence in the aged.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Mortality among twins born to unmarried teenagers in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the association between unmarried status and infant mortality among twins born to teenagers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on twin live births to teenagers in the United States from 1995 through 1998 using the Vital Records assembled by the National Center for Health Statistics. We compared mortality estimates among twins of single to those of married mothers using the generalized estimating equation framework, which also adjusted for intracluster correlations. RESULTS: Analysis involved 28592 individual twins of teenager mothers, with both cluster members being live-born. Out of these, 21.8% (n = 6238) were born to married and 78.2% (n = 22,354) to single mothers. Infant and postneonatal mortality was 17% and 36% higher among twins of single teenager mothers (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.40) and (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.01-1.87), respectively. However, neonatal mortality was comparable (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.92-1.34). Twins of single mothers were also more likely to be of low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm and very preterm (p < 0.0001) but had the same risk level for smallness for gestational age as compared to twins of married teenagers. CONCLUSIONS: Single motherhood was associated with increased infant mortality among twins born to teenagers. The critical time of elevated risk was the postneonatal period and the survival disadvantage of twins of single mothers was as a result of the higher-than-expected level of preterm rather than small for gestational age births. These findings have potential clinical and public health relevance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Racial disparity in fetal growth inhibition among singletons and multiples.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of black-white gap in intrauterine fetal growth inhibition among singletons and multiples. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study on singleton, twin, and triplet live births in the United States from 1995 through 1998. We compared the risk for low and very low-birth-weight, preterm and very preterm, and small-for-gestational age between black and white neonates. RESULTS: A total of 14,245,865 singletons (blacks = 16.2%), 392,761 twins (blacks = 18.0%), and 21,436 triplets (blacks = 7.7%) were analyzed. Black neonates depicted significantly higher risks for all indices of fetal growth inhibition regardless of plurality. The gestational age of onset of fetal growth lag for black fetuses was earliest among triplets (23 weeks and the gap remained unchanged) then singletons (26 weeks; maximum gap 37-42 weeks), and finally twins (33 weeks; maximum gap 37-40 weeks). CONCLUSION: Black-white disparity in fetal growth inhibition varied by plurality subtypes. The different gestational ages of onset of black-white fetal growth divergence could potentially be exploited for targeting intervention measures aimed at narrowing the gap.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Perinatal mortality associated with abruptio placenta in singletons and multiples.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the association among plurality (number of fetuses per pregnancy), abruptio placenta, and perinatal mortality. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study on 15,051,872 singletons, 413,619 twins, and 22,585 triplets delivered in the United States between 1995 and 1998 was conducted. We compared the occurrence of perinatal death between pregnancies complicated by abruptio placenta and those without with the use of adjusted odds ratios. The generalized estimating equations framework was applied to adjust for intracluster correlations among multiples. RESULTS: Placental abruption occurred among 93,968 singletons (6.2 per 1000), 5051 twin (12.2 per 1000), and 353 triplet (15.6 per 1000) gestations ( P for trend<.0001). Placental abruption was associated with significant risk of mortality irrespective of the plurality subtype. Perinatal mortality was greatest among singletons (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]=14.3[13.2-15.4]), followed by twins (4.4[3.9-4.9]) and least among triplets (3.0[2.0-4.6]) ( P for trend<.0001). CONCLUSION: As plurality increases from 1 to 3, the risk of placental abruption rises, whereas the risk of abruptio-associated perinatal mortality declines.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed2005

Teen twin pregnancies: differences in fetal growth outcomes among blacks and whites.

We set out to determine the magnitude of black-white disparity in intrauterine fetal growth inhibition among twin births to teenagers (age 15 to 19) in the United States using a retrospective cohort study design. We compared the risk for low and very low birthweight, preterm and very preterm, and small for gestational age between black and white twins born to teen mothers during the period 1995 through 1998. The methodology of generalized estimating equations was used to adjust for the presence of intracluster correlation within twin pairs. A total of 29,307 individual twins were analyzed. For all fetal growth indices examined, infants born to black mothers remained disadvantaged except for preterm birth, for which the risk was comparable to that of whites (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95 to 1.11). The racial gap was most marked for low birthweight (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.19, 1.37]) and very low birthweight (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.42). Black twins had an equal level of elevated risk for very preterm and small for gestational age (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.27 and OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.28, respectively). In conclusion, we found significant differences in fetal growth parameters between black and white twins born to teen gravidas. Our findings confirm similar black disadvantage reported for singletons. Current prevention strategies aimed at reducing adverse fetal outcomes among teenagers in the United States need to consider the heightened risk among neonates born to black mothers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

In utero nicotine exposure and fetal growth inhibition among twins.

We examined the impact of cigarette smoking on fetal growth among twins by analyzing matched twin live births in the United States from 1995 through 1998. The outcomes of interest were low and very low birthweight, preterm and very preterm birth, and small for gestational age. Out of a total of 163,901 mothers, 19,234 reported active smoking during pregnancy (11.7%). Twins born to smokers weighed an average of 182 g less than their counterparts born to nonsmokers (p<0.001). The risk for fetal growth inhibition was greater among twins of smokers: low birthweight (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% confidence Interval [CI], 1.79 to 1.89), very low birthweight (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.32), preterm (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.16), very preterm (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.23), and small for gestational age (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.84 to 1.98). In conclusion, prenatal smoking significantly inhibits fetal growth among twins, and small for gestational age appeared more affected than shortened gestation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

High parity and fetal morbidity outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between high parity and fetal morbidity outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed 22,463,141 singleton deliveries at 20 weeks or more of gestation in the United States from 1989 through 2000. Adjusted odds ratios generated from logistic regression models were used to approximate relative risk for neonatal morbidity in women with 1-4 (moderate parity or type I; referent group), 5-9 (high parity or type II), 10-14 (very high parity or type III) and 15 or more (extremely high parity or type IV) prior live births. Main outcome measures included low and very low birth weight, preterm and very preterm birth, and small and large for gestational age delivery. RESULTS: The overall crude rates for low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth, very preterm birth, and small and large for gestational age were 55, 11, 97, 19, 83, and 129 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios for low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm, and very preterm delivery increased consistently and in a dose-effect fashion with ascending parity (P for trend < .001). In the case of large for gestational age delivery, the adjusted odds ratio showed an inverted-U pattern, being highest among women in the type III parity cluster. The findings with respect to small for gestational age were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: High parity is a risk factor for adverse fetal outcomes. However, the impact of heightened parity is more manifest as shortened gestation rather than physical size restriction. These findings could prove beneficial for counseling women of high parity.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Extreme parity and the risk of stillbirth.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between extreme parity and risk for stillbirth in the United States. METHODS: Singleton deliveries at 20 weeks of gestation or later in the United States from 1989 through 2000 were analyzed. Risk for stillbirth in women with 1-4 (moderate parity, category I), 5-9 (high parity, category II), 10-14 (very high parity, category III), and 15 or more (extremely high parity, category IV) prior live births were computed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 27,069,385 births, including 1,206 to extremely high parity mothers, were analyzed. Of the 81,386 stillbirths, 71,623 (2.8/1,000), 9,206 (5.0/1,000), 531 (14.4/1,000), and 26 (21.6/1,000) cases occurred among category I, category II, category III, and category IV gravidas, respectively. With category I as referent category, the odds ratio for stillbirth increased consistently with ascending parity after adjusting for potential confounders: category II (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.07), category III (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.81-2.15), and category IV (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.56-3.42) (P for trend < .001). Among extremely high parity women (category IV), the odds ratio for stillbirth also increased with unit increment in the number of prior live births: 15 (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.29-5.74), 16 (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.17-8.41), 17 (OR 6.11, 95% CI 2.56-16.5), and 18 or more prior live births (OR 16.17, 95% CI 8.77-29.82) (P for trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk for stillbirth is substantially elevated among very high and extremely high parity women, and care providers may consider these groups for targeted periconceptional counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Smoking-associated fetal morbidity among older gravidas: a population study.

BACKGROUND: We set out to assess the influence of advanced maternal age on fetal morbidity associated with smoking during pregnancy in a population-based retrospective study of 7 792 990 singleton live births between 1995 and 1997 in the United States with documented maternal smoking habit. METHODS: The study group consisted of infants born to mothers aged>or=40 years (older mothers). Two maternal age categories (20-29, "younger mothers"; 30-39, "mature mothers") were constructed as comparison groups. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) generated from logistic regression models were used to compare fetal morbidity indices associated with smoking across maternal age categories. Main outcome measures included preterm, very preterm, and small for gestational age (SGA). RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was 13.1%, and decreased with increasing maternal age. Regardless of maternal age, the risk for fetal morbidity was significantly elevated if the mother smoked. The risks for preterm and SGA associated with smoking were significantly higher among older gravidas as compared to younger mothers while mature mothers had risk estimates comparable to those of older mothers. Among smoking mothers only, the risk pattern for fetal morbidity was J-shaped, with babies of older smokers having significantly higher fetal morbidity indices, while those of mature smokers showed lower levels of risk as compared to younger mothers. CONCLUSION: In an era of relatively lower prevalence of smoking during pregnancy, advanced maternal age still increases the risk of smoking-associated fetal morbidity. Our findings reveal new information of elevated risk for very preterm births among older smoking mothers.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

High parity and adverse birth outcomes: exploring the maze.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive literature on the topic, it is uncertain if grand (para > or = 5) and great grand (para > or = 10) multiparity are associated with adverse birth outcomes. We critically evaluate the evidence for and against the existence of adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes in high parity women. METHODS: An electronic search of MEDLINE and other bibliographic databases (Current Contents, EMBASE, and CAB) was conducted, and all relevant articles in English language were retrieved. RESULTS: Findings on the association between high parity and maternal-fetal birth outcomes are not consistent. Although the older literature tends to suggest that multiparity is a risk factor for negative birth outcomes, more recent reports are not supportive. Comparison across studies was further complicated by confounding factors like maternal age, socioeconomic status, and levels of prenatal care, as well as by variations in study designs and in the definition of parity itself. Furthermore, most studies that examined women of extreme parity (para > or = 10) were handicapped by inadequate power. CONCLUSIONS: After accounting for quality, culture, and degrees of associations, the preponderance of evidence seems to point to possible existence of heightened risk for certain medical complications and placental pathologies among women of extreme parity. The literature also provides reasonable evidence for a higher-than-expected likelihood for occurrence of fetal macrosomia with advanced parity.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Influence of nativity on neonatal survival of Black twins in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between maternal nativity and neonatal survival of twins among Black mothers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of twin live births to Black mothers in the United States from 1995 through 1998. We compared levels of overall, early, and late neonatal mortality between twins of US-born and those of foreign-born Black mothers by using hazard ratios generated from a Cox Proportional Hazards Regression model. We adjusted for dependence of observations within twin clusters by means of the Robust Sandwich Estimator. RESULTS: A total of 70,884 individual twin live births to US-born (64,035) and foreign-born (6,849) mothers were analyzed. Twins of US-born mothers had a 23% higher likelihood of dying within the neonatal period compared to those of foreign-born mothers (hazard ratio [HR]=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04-1.46). The disparity in neonatal demise occurred exclusively in the early neonatal period (HR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.06-1.50), with mortality indices comparable in the late neonatal period (HR=0.96; 95% CI, 0.68-1.35). Low and very low birth weight (P<.0001), preterm and very preterm (P<.0001), and small-for-gestational-age neonates (P<.0001) were more prevalent among twins of US-born mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to those of foreign-born, twins of US-born Black mothers experienced higher mortality in the neonatal period. The mortality disadvantage resulted mainly from lower gestational age at birth and the preponderance of small-for-gestational-age babies among US-born Black mothers.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Trends in birth across high-parity groups by race/ethnicity and maternal age.

BACKGROUND: The changing racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population along with delayed childbearing suggest that shifts in the demographic composition of gravidas are likely. It is unclear whether trends in the proportion of births to parous women in the United States have changed over the decades by race and ethnicity, reflecting parallel changes in population demographics. METHODS: Singleton deliveries > or = 20 weeks of gestation in the United States from 1989 through 2000 were analyzed using data from the "Natality data files" assembled by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). We classified maternal age into three categories; younger mothers (aged < 30 years), mature mothers (30-39 years) and older mothers (> or = 40 years) and maternal race/ethnicity into three groups: blacks (non-Hispanic), Hispanics and whites (non-Hispanic). We computed birth rates by period of delivery across the entire population and repeated the analysis stratified by age and maternal race. Chi-squared statistics for linear trend were utilized to assess linear trend across three four-year phases: 1989-1992, 1993-1996 and 1997-2000. In estimating the association between race/ethnicity and parity status, the direct method of standardization was employed to adjust for maternal age. RESULTS: Over the study period, the total number of births to blacks and whites diminished consistently (p for trend < 0.001), whereas among Hispanics a progressive increase in the total number of deliveries was evident (p for trend < 0.001). Black and white women experienced a reduction in total deliveries equivalent to 10% and 9.3%, respectively, while Hispanic women showed a substantial increment in total births (25%). Regardless of race or ethnicity, birth rate was associated with increase in maternal age in a dose-effect fashion among the high (5-9 previous live births), very high (10-14 previous live births) and extremely high (> or = 15 previous live births) parity groups (p for trend < 0.001). After maternal age standardization, black and Hispanic women were more likely to have higher parity as compared to whites. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate substantial variation in parity patterns among the main racial and ethnic populations in the United States. These results may help in formulating strategies that will serve as templates for optimizing resource allocation across the different racial/ethnic subpopulations in the United States.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Correlates of serum lipoprotein (A) in children and adolescents in the United States. The third National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES-III).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlates of serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in children and adolescents in the United States. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using representative data from a US national sample for persons aged 4-19 years participating in The Third National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES-III). RESULTS: We observed ethnicity-related differences in levels of Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl, with values being markedly higher in African American (black) than nonhispanic white (white) and Mexican American children in multivariate model (P < 0.001). Higher levels of Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl associated with parental history of body mass index and residence in metro compared to nonmetro in Blacks, and high birth weight in Mexican American children in the NHANES-III. In the entire group, total cholesterol (which included Lp(a)) and parental history of premature heart attack/angina before age 50 (P < 0.02) showed consistent, independent, positive association with Lp(a). In subgroup analysis, this association was only evident in white (P = 0.04) and black (P = 0.05) children. However, no such collective consistent associations of Lp(a) were found with age, gender, or birth weight. CONCLUSION: Ethnicity-related differences in mean Lp(a) exist among children and adolescents in the United States and parental history of premature heart attack/angina significantly associated with levels of Lp(a) in children. Further research on the associations of Lp(a) levels in childhood with subsequent risk of atherosclerosis is needed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Perception and beliefs about mental illness among adults in Karfi village, northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to examine the knowledge, attitude and beliefs about causes, manifestations and treatment of mental illness among adults in a rural community in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional study design was used. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 250 adults residing in Karfi village, northern Nigeria. RESULTS: The most common symptoms proffered by respondents as manifestations of mental illness included aggression/destructiveness (22.0%), loquaciousness (21.2%), eccentric behavior (16.1%) and wandering (13.3%). Drug misuse including alcohol, cannabis, and other street drugs was identified in 34.3% of the responses as a major cause of mental illness, followed by divine wrath/ God's will (19%), and magic/spirit possession (18.0%). About 46% of respondents preferred orthodox medical care for the mentally sick while 34% were more inclined to spiritual healing. Almost half of the respondents harbored negative feelings towards the mentally ill. Literate respondents were seven times more likely to exhibit positive feelings towards the mentally ill as compared to non-literate subjects (OR = 7.6, 95% confidence interval = 3.8-15.1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the need for community educational programs in Nigeria aimed at demystifying mental illness. A better understanding of mental disorders among the public would allay fear and mistrust about mentally ill persons in the community as well as lessen stigmatization towards such persons.

Journal Article↗