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Kihumuro RB, Kaggwa MM, Kintu TM, Nakandi RM, Muwanga DR, Muganzi DJ, Atwau P, Ayesiga I, Najjuma JN, Ashaba S. Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of medical students towards mental health in a university in Uganda. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:730. [PMID: 36266646 PMCID: PMC9584261 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03774-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of mental illness among medical students is high. A gap remains on what knowledge should be given to improve the attitudes and perceptions towards mental health. Despite the vast body of literature globally, no study has been conducted in Uganda to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude, and perception among medical students in Uganda. OBJECTIVE To determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and perception and their associated factors among medical students in Uganda. METHODS A cross-sectional study was done among 259 undergraduate medical students in a public university capturing information on knowledge, attitude, and perception towards mental health. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and perception. RESULTS About 77.72% had high knowledge, 49.29% had positive attitudes, and 46.92% had good perceptions of mental health. There was a significant positive relationship between attitude and perceptions towards mental illness. At multilevel analysis, being in year 4 increased the level of knowledge (β = 1.50 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.46-2.54], p = 0.005) while a positive history of mental illness worsened perceptions towards mental illness (β = -4.23 [95% CI = -7.44-1.03], p = 0.010). CONCLUSION Medical students have a high level of knowledge about mental illness but the majority had poor attitudes and perceptions of mental illness. Exposure to psychiatry knowledge about mental illness in year four increased students' knowledge while prior experience with mental illness conditions was associated with poorer perceptions. The information present in this study can be used by policymakers and future researchers to design future studies and interventions to improve knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes especially among students who have a history of mental illness. Improvements in knowledge, attitude, and perception may improve the mental health services for the future patients of these medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy Mwanje Kintu
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | | | - David Jolly Muganzi
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Pius Atwau
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Innocent Ayesiga
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | - Scholastic Ashaba
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Kaggwa MM, Najjuka SM, Bongomin F, Mamun MA, Griffiths MD. Prevalence of depression in Uganda: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276552. [PMID: 36264962 PMCID: PMC9584512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is one of the most studied mental health disorders, with varying prevalence rates reported across study populations in Uganda. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to determine the pooled prevalence of depression and the prevalence of depression across different study populations in the country. Methods Papers for the review were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, African Journal OnLine, and Google Scholar databases. All included papers were observational studies regarding depression prevalence in Uganda, published before September 2021. The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies was used to evaluate the risk of bias and quality of the included papers, and depression pooled prevalence was determined using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results A total of 127 studies comprising 123,859 individuals were identified. Most studies were conducted among individuals living with HIV (n = 43; 33.9%), and the most frequently used instrument for assessing depression was the Depression sub-section of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (n = 34). The pooled prevalence of depression was 30.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.7–34.1, I2 = 99.80, p<0.001). The prevalence of depression was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the pre-pandemic period (48.1% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.021). Refugees had the highest prevalence of depression (67.6%; eight studies), followed by war victims (36.0%; 12 studies), individuals living with HIV (28.2%; 43 studies), postpartum or pregnant mothers (26.9%; seven studies), university students (26.9%; four studies), children and adolescents (23.6%; 10 studies), and caregivers of patients (18.5%; six studies). Limitation Significantly high levels of heterogeneity among the studies included. Conclusion Almost one in three individuals in Uganda has depression, with the refugee population being disproportionately affected. Targeted models for depression screening and management across various populations across the country are recommended. Trial registration Protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022310122).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Forensic Psychiatry Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Sarah Maria Najjuka
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Mohammed A. Mamun
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mark D. Griffiths
- Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Kaggwa MM, Abaatyo J, Alol E, Muwanguzi M, Najjuka SM, Favina A, Rukundo GZ, Ashaba S, Mamun MA. Substance use disorder among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda: Retrospective findings from a psychiatric ward registry. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269044. [PMID: 35617261 PMCID: PMC9135190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has predisposed adolescents to risky behaviors such as substance use and subsequent substance use disorder (SUD). However, it is unknown how the pandemic has changed the prevalence of SUD among adolescents in Uganda. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SUD and associated factors among adolescents in southwestern Uganda. Retrospectively, psychiatry ward records from November 2018 to July 2021 were collected from the largest tertiary hospital in southwestern Uganda. A total of 441 adolescent records were included in the analysis, with a mean age was 17±1.88 years, and the majority were males (50.34%). The overall prevalence of SUD was 7.26% (5.90% and 9.80% before and during the pandemic). Despite a little rise in SUD (3.9% increment) during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no statistical difference compared to before the pandemic. The likelihood of being diagnosed with SUD was more among older adolescents at any period. In addition, having a diagnosis of bipolar mood disorder reduced the likelihood of SUD during the pandemic. This study indicated no statistical change in the diagnosis of SUD among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. As older-male adolescents (17 to 19 years) were at higher risk of SUD, there is a need for early intervention for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
- * E-mail: (MMK); (JA)
| | - Joan Abaatyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- * E-mail: (MMK); (JA)
| | - Emmanuel Alol
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Moses Muwanguzi
- 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
| | - Godfrey Zari Rukundo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Scholastic Ashaba
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mohammed A. Mamun
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Naz F, Malik A, Riaz M, Mahmood Q, Mehmood MH, Rasool G, Mahmood Z, Abbas M. Bromocriptine Therapy: Review of mechanism of action, safety and tolerability. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:903-922. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Naz
- Punjab University College of Pharmacy University of the Punjab Lahore Pakistan
| | - Abdul Malik
- College of Pharmacy University of Sargodha Sargodha Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Department of Allied Health Sciences University of Sargodha Sargodha Pakistan
| | - Qaisar Mahmood
- College of Pharmacy University of Sargodha Sargodha Pakistan
| | - Malik Hassan Mehmood
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Government College University Faisalabad Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Rasool
- Department of Allied Health Sciences University of Sargodha Sargodha Pakistan
| | - Zahed Mahmood
- Department of Biochemistry Government College University Faisalabad Pakistan
| | - Mazhar Abbas
- Department of Biochemistry College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Jhang Campus) Lahore Pakistan
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Kaggwa MM, Rukundo GZ, Wakida EK, Maling S, Sserumaga BM, Atim LM, Obua C. Suicide and Suicide Attempts Among Patients Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Uganda: A Medical Records Review. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:703-711. [PMID: 35469181 PMCID: PMC9034861 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s358187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for about 800,000 deaths annually. The suicide burden drastically increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Uganda, no known study has determined the suicide rate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To determine the suicide mortality rate and describe the characteristics of victims of suicide attempts from January to December 2020 in south western Uganda. Methods This study was based on the health management information systems (HMIS) of patients' registered data for the year 2020 at 15 selected primary health care facilities in four districts in south-western Uganda. We used a data extraction tool to capture demographic and clinical characteristics of the individuals who had attempted or completed suicide. We estimated yearly incidence rates of fatal and non-fatal suicide attempts, and used chi-square and t-test to determine the statistical difference between suicide attempt outcomes. Results A total of 130 non-fatal suicide attempts and 26 suicides were identified. Majority were male 69.87% (n = 109/156) and the mean age was 27.16 (SD = 14.71) years. The overall incidence of suicide attempts was about 60 attempts per 100,000 people, while that of completed suicide was about three deaths per 100,000 people. The suicide attempts increased following the first month of COVID-19 lockdown in the country (March 2020) and most individuals attempted suicide by poisoning (n = 144). Conclusion Suicide is a common occurrence in primary health care settings of Uganda and there has been a rapid increase in suicide attempts since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With suicide by poisoning being common, there is need for proactive interventions, such as the control of pesticides and herbicides, to prevent suicide among members of this community, especially during pandemic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Godfrey Zari Rukundo
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edith K Wakida
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
- Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Department of Medical Education, California University of Science and Medicine, San Barnardino, CA, United States of America
| | - Samuel Maling
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Baker Makaya Sserumaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Letizia Maria Atim
- Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Celestino Obua
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Kaggwa MM, Arinaitwe I, Muwanguzi M, Nduhuura E, Kajjimu J, Kule M, Najjuka SM, Nkola R, Ajuna N, Wamala NK, Machacha I, Mamun MA, Ho CSH, Griffiths MD, Rukundo GZ. Suicidal behaviours among Ugandan university students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:234. [PMID: 35365105 PMCID: PMC8972906 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide remains the leading cause of death among university students often resulting from multiple physical and psychological challenges. Moreover, suicidal behaviours among students appear to have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to some studies. OBJECTIVE To explore the prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among university students in Uganda. METHODS Cross-sectional study data were collected from May to September 2021 from 540 undergraduate university students in south-western Uganda (363 males, mean age 23.3 years). Questions from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to assess suicidal ideation, while other bespoke questions were used to assess suicide plans and attempts. The survey also investigated the suicide attempt/plan method, location of the suicidal activity, and reason for not enacting the suicide plan. Three independent regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with different forms of suicidal behaviours. RESULTS The prevalence of past-year suicidal behaviours was 31.85% for suicidal ideation, 8.15% for suicide plans, and 6.11% for suicide attempts. Having a chronic physical medical condition increased the likelihood of having all forms of suicidal behaviours. Suicidal ideation was associated with having difficulty paying university tuition fees. However, being in the fifth year of university education, and feeling satisfied with current academic grades reduced the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Individuals feeling satisfied with academic performance appeared to be a protective factor against having suicide plans. Suicide attempts were associated with having a history of sexual abuse and having difficulty paying university tuition fees. The most common method used for attempted suicide was a drug overdose, and the most common location for attempted suicide was their homes. CONCLUSION University students have prevalent suicide behaviours especially among students with a chronic physical medical condition, a history of sexual abuse, and problems paying university tuition fees. Based on the present study, for students at risk, universities should provide appropriate interventions such as life skills education and suicide prevention techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda ,African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, 379, Uganda
| | - Innocent Arinaitwe
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda.
| | - Moses Muwanguzi
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda
| | - Elicana Nduhuura
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda
| | - Jonathan Kajjimu
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda
| | - Moses Kule
- grid.459749.20000 0000 9352 6415Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, 40, Uganda
| | - Sarah Maria Najjuka
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, 7072, Uganda
| | - Rahel Nkola
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda ,African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, 379, Uganda
| | - Noble Ajuna
- grid.448548.10000 0004 0466 5982Department of Nursing, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Nicholas Kisaakye Wamala
- grid.440478.b0000 0004 0648 1247Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University – western Campus, Kampala, 20000, Uganda
| | - Ivan Machacha
- grid.449527.90000 0004 0534 1218School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale, 364, 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 ,grid.442989.a0000 0001 2226 6721Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cyrus Su-Hui Ho
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119007 Singapore
| | - Mark D. Griffiths
- grid.12361.370000 0001 0727 0669Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ UK
| | - Godfrey Zari Rukundo
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, 1410, Uganda ,African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, 379, Uganda
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