Prevalence and risk factors for psychiatric morbidity among tertiary hospital consultants in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective. To determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among consultants in a tertiary health care institution in Ilorin, Nigeria, and the sociodemographic and work characteristics that may be associated with poor mental health. Method. This was a cross-sectional study involving use of the 30-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-30) and a questionnaire on sociodemographic/work-related factors. Data Source. Consultants in the employ of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Data analysis. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.0 (SPSS 11.0). Frequency distribution, cross tabulation, and chi-square analysis were obtained, with level of significance set at 5%. Result. Fifty-four consultants responded satisfactorily to the questionnaires (response rate 69.2%); 10 (18.5%) scored 4 and above on the GHQ-30 (i.e GHQ-positive) and were therefore considered to have psychiatric morbidity. No socio demographic or work-related factors had any significant association with morbidity. Conclusion. Teaching hospital consultants are as likely as any other occupational group to develop psychological morbidity, possibly owing to the role of inherently dominant factors. Regular organisation of stress management workshops/seminars and hospital management-consultant interactive forums is advocated.