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Favina A, Abaatyo J, Kaggwa MM. Dual harm among patients attending a mental health unit in Uganda: a hospital based retrospective study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:154. [PMID: 38388864 PMCID: PMC10885504 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05560-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dual harm encompasses the complex interplay of the co-occurrence of self-harm and aggression. Individuals with dual harm may display a more hazardous pattern of harmful behaviors like homicide-suicide compared to people with sole harm. This study aimed to examine the presence of dual harm among general psychiatry inpatients in a mental health unit in Uganda. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 3098 inpatients from January 2018 to December 2021. Dual harm reported experience at admission was based on experiences of self-harm with harm to people or property or both. Logistic regression assessed the association between dual harm and sociodemographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS A total of 29 (1%) patients experienced dual harm, with five having experienced self-harm with both harm to others and property, 23 with harm to people, and one with harm to property. Dual harm was statistically significantly associated with the male gender at bivariate analysis. However, there were no statistically significant factors associated with dual harm at multivariate analysis or sensitivity analysis with the specific types of dual harm. CONCLUSION General psychiatry inpatients in Uganda experience dual harm before admission at lower prevalence than in previous literature. However, no investigated sociodemographic and clinical factors could explain these experiences. Further studies looking at dual harm are warranted to understand these unfortunate experiences with serious consequences among patients in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Favina
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Joan Abaatyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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Abaatyo J, Kaggwa MM, Favina A, Olagunju AT. Readmission and associated clinical factors among individuals admitted with bipolar affective disorder at a psychiatry facility in Uganda. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:474. [PMID: 37380963 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is a common severe mental health condition with a relapsing course that may include periods of hospital re-admissions. With recurrent relapses and admissions, the course, prognosis, and patient's overall quality of life can be affected negatively. This study aims to explore the rates and clinical factors associated with re-admission among individuals with BAD. METHOD This study used data from a retrospective chart review of all records of patients with BAD admitted in 2018 and followed up their hospital records for four years till 2021 at a large psychiatric unit in Uganda. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the clinical characteristics associated with readmission among patients diagnosed with BAD. RESULTS A total of 206 patients living with BAD were admitted in 2018 and followed up for four years. The average number of months to readmission was 9.4 (standard deviation = 8.6). The incidence of readmission was 23.8% (n = 49/206). Of those readmitted during the study period, 46.9% (n = 23/49) and 28.6% (n = 14/49) individuals were readmitted twice and three times or more, respectively. The readmission rate in the first 12 months following discharge was 69.4% (n = 34/49) at first readmission, 78.3% (n = 18/23) at second readmission, and 87.5% (n = 12/14) at third or more times. For the next 12 months, the readmission rate was 22.5% (n = 11/49) for the first, 21.7% (n = 5/23) for the second, and 7.1% (n = 1/14) for more than two readmissions. Between 25 and 36 months, the readmission rate was 4.1% (n = 2/49) for the first readmission and 7.1% (n = 1/14) for the third or more times. Between 37 and 48 months, the readmission rate was 4.1% (n = 2/49) for those readmitted the first time. Patients who presented with poor appetite and undressed in public before admission were at increased risk of being readmitted with time. However, the following symptoms/clinical presentations, were protective against having a readmission with time, increased number of days with symptoms before admission, mood lability, and high energy levels. CONCLUSION The incidence of readmission among individuals living with BAD is high, and readmission was associated with patients' symptoms presentation on previous admission. Future studies looking at BAD using a prospective design, standardized scales, and robust explanatory model are warranted to understand causal factors for hospital re-admission and inform management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Abaatyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Alain Favina
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Andrew T Olagunju
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
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Abaatyo J, Favina A, Bulega SE, Kaggwa MM. Suicidal behavior among inpatients with severe mental conditions in a public mental health hospital in Uganda. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:346. [PMID: 37208631 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04858-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidal behaviors are prevalent among inpatients with severe mental conditions and may result in many dying by suicide. Few studies have focused on the burden of suicidal behaviors among these inpatients in low-income settings, despite suicide being consistently higher in lower-income countries such as Uganda. This study, therefore, provides the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviors and suicide attempts among inpatients with severe mental conditions in Uganda. METHOD This was a retrospective chart review of all individuals admitted with severe mental conditions to a large psychiatry inpatient unit in Uganda for four years (2018-2021). Two separate logistic regressions were conducted to determine the factors associated with suicidal behaviors or suicidal attempts among the admitted individuals. RESULTS The prevalence of suicidal behavior and suicidal attempts among 3104 (mean age = 33, Standard deviation [SD] = 14.0; 56% were males) were 6.12% and 3.45%, respectively. Having a diagnosis of depression increased the likelihood of both suicidal behaviors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.14-13.37; p =0.001) and attempts (aOR: 10.73; 95% CI: 3.44-33.50; p < 0.001). However, a diagnosis of substance-related disorder increased the likelihood of having attempted suicide (aOR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.21-14.15; p = 0.023). The likelihood of having suicidal behavior decreased as one increased in age (aOR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99; p = 0.006) and increased among individuals reporting stress from financial constraints (aOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05-4.86; p = 0.036). CONCLUSION Suicidal behaviors are common among inpatients managed for severe mental health conditions in Uganda, especially those with substance use and depressive disorders. In addition, financial stressors are a main predictor in this low-income country. Therefore, regular screening for suicide behaviors is warranted, especially among individuals with depression, and substance use, among those who are young, and among those reporting financial constraints/stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Abaatyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Alain Favina
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Steven Elijah Bulega
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, McMaster, Canada.
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Kaggwa MM, Olagunju AT, Prat S, Harms S, Chaimowitz G. Peer support mental health teams in correctional settings in Uganda. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:76-79. [PMID: 36697124 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton L89 3K7, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
| | - Andrew Toyin Olagunju
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton L89 3K7, ON, Canada
| | - Sébastien Prat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton L89 3K7, ON, Canada
| | - Sheila Harms
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton L89 3K7, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Gary Chaimowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton L89 3K7, ON, Canada
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Kaggwa MM, Najjuka SM, Mamun MA, Griffiths MD, Nyemara N, Ashaba S. Involvement and burden of informal caregivers of patients with mental illness: the mediating role of affiliated stigma. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:72. [PMID: 36703121 PMCID: PMC9881274 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fear and lack of understanding of mental illness can lead to stigma. The stigma of mental illness affects not only individuals who suffer from it, but also the caregivers. Stigma among caregivers can lead to delay in seeking care, poor adherence to treatment and a high risk of relapse. Caregivers of patients with mental illness are at an increased risk of distress due to the burden to stigma and caregiving burden. An increase in caregivers' burden can lead to a reduction in caregivers' involvement. There is a relationship between caregivers' involvement, burden, and affiliated stigma. The present study examined the mediating role of affiliated stigma in the relationship between caregivers' burden and involvement among informal caregivers of hospital-admitted patients with mental illness in Uganda. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 informal caregivers (mean age: 39.6 years [SD±14.6]; females = 62.1%). Information was collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, affiliated stigma, and the involvement and burden of informal caregivers. RESULTS The findings indicate that affiliated stigma serves as a full mediator between the caregiver's roles and involvement (β=15.97, p<0.001). Being female increased the caregivers' burden of caregiving (β= -0.23, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The findings in the present study suggest that intervention to address affiliated stigma among caregivers of patients with mental illness should be incorporated into mainstream mental health care to reduce the caregiving burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, 1410 Uganda ,African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, 379 Uganda ,grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Sarah Maria Najjuka
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mohammed A. Mamun
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Dhaka 1342 Bangladesh ,grid.411808.40000 0001 0664 5967Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342 Bangladesh
| | - Mark D. Griffiths
- grid.12361.370000 0001 0727 0669Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ United Kingdom
| | - Novatus Nyemara
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, 1410 Uganda
| | - Scholastic Ashaba
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda.
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Adherence to Typical Antipsychotics among Patients with Schizophrenia in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2023; 2023:7035893. [PMID: 36778520 PMCID: PMC9918368 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7035893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a recent transition from typical to atypical antipsychotics in managing schizophrenia. This has been attributed to the acute side effects experienced by patients on typical antipsychotics that lead to nonadherence. However, the treatment cost with typical antipsychotics is cheaper (preferred in low-income settings), and there is no difference in the effectiveness, efficacy, discontinuation rate, or side effect symptom burden with atypical antipsychotics. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of nonadherence and the associated factors to typical antipsychotics among patients with schizophrenia attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic at a rural tertiary facility in Uganda. METHOD A cross-sectional study among 135 patients with schizophrenia for at least six months on typical antipsychotics (mean age of 39.7 (±11.9) and 55.6% were female) from a rural tertiary facility in Uganda. Data were collected regarding sociodemographics, adherence, insight for psychosis, attitude towards typical antipsychotics, side effects, satisfaction with medications, and explanations from health workers about medications and side effects. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with nonadherence. RESULTS The prevalence of nonadherence was 16.3%, and the likelihood of being nonadherent was more among the poor (monthly earning below the poverty line). However, having reduced energy was associated with reducing the likelihood of having nonadherence. CONCLUSION The prevalence of nonadherence was lower than many previously obtained prevalence and was comparable to nonadherence for atypical antipsychotics. However, to reduce nonadherence, we need all stakeholders (such as the government, insurance companies, and caregivers) to assist patients living in poverty with access to medication.
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