Jude U. Ohaeri

Bio: Jude U. Ohaeri is an academic researcher from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Psychosocial. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 121 publications receiving 3088 citations. Previous affiliations of Jude U. Ohaeri include University of Ibadan & University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The burden of caregiving in families with a mental illness: A review of 2002

Abstract: SummaryThere has been a paradigm shift in professionals' perceptions of the caregiver. The challenges include: how best to support the family; improving caregiver perception of professionals; comparison of caregiver costs across illness groups; cross-cultural perspectives; longitudinal assessment fo

Factors associated with quality of life of outpatients with breast cancer and gynecologic cancers and their family caregivers: a controlled study

Abstract: Quality of life (QOL) issues are of interest in cancer because effective methods of treatment and detection have led to an increase in the number of long-term survivors. The objectives of the study were: to assess the subjective QOL of stable Sudanese women cancer outpatients and their family caregivers, using the WHO 26-item QOL Instrument; compare with matched general population groups, as well as diabetic and psychiatric patient groups; examine patient-caregiver concordance in ratings; and assess the variables associated with their QOL, with a view to identifying factors that can enhance quality of care. Responses of oncology outpatients with breast cancer (117), cervical cancer (46) and ovarian cancer (18) (aged 44.6, SD 11.5) were compared with those of their family caregivers and matched general population groups. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics. The cancer groups had similar QOL domain scores, which were significantly lower than those of their caregivers, but higher than the control group as well as those of psychiatric and diabetic patients studied previously. Patients who were married, with higher education, better employment, and with longer duration of illness had higher QOL. Patients on radiotherapy and their caregivers had higher QOL scores. Correlations between patient's ratings and caregiver impression of patient's QOL were high. Caregiver impression was a significant predictor of patient's and caregiver's QOL. Other predictors for the patient were: currently feeling sick and duration of illness; for the caregiver: feeling sick, relationship to patient, and age. Cancer patients in stable condition and with psychosocial support can hope to enjoy good QOL with treatment. The findings constitute an evidence base for the country's cancer care program, to boost national health education about prognosis in cancer. Families living with women cancer patients are vulnerable and need support if the patient is recently diagnosed, less educated, single, not formally employed; and the caregiver is female, parent, younger, less educated, unemployed and feels sick. Clinicians need to invest in the education and support of family caregivers. The patient-caregiver dyad should be regarded as a unit for treatment in cancer care.

Caregiver burden and psychotic patients' perception of social support in a Nigerian setting.

Abstract: Background: In Nigeria, there are no national social welfare and community rehabilitation programmes for the mentally ill. Families have to bear the major burden of care. The present study aimed to assess the severity of indices of burden among relatives of 75 schizophrenics and 20 major affective disorder cases, to identify the factors associated with burden, to assess the relationship between caregiver burden and patients' perception of social support, and to compare these with equivalent data for cancer patients' relatives. Method: Caregivers were assessed, using a burden questionnaire and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Patients were assessed for perception of social support from the extended family. Results: Clinical severity and burden indices were similar for the psychiatric illness groups. However, relatives of patients with psychotic symptoms, unco-operative behaviour, marital instability and unemployment had significantly higher GHQ scores; while patients from such families perceived a wider social support network. Financial burden was greater than effect on family routines. Disruption of family routines, GHQ scores and (inversely) size of family network patient expected support from, predicted global rating of burden. Although clinical severity and disruption of family routines for cancer patients were higher; relatives of psychiatric patients had higher GHQ scores, more family disharmony and greater social stigma. Conclusions: Disturbed behaviour is a greater determinant of severity of burden than psychiatric diagnosis; hence adequacy of treatment is a first step in reducing caregiver burden. The tolerance shown by this group of relatives implies that they have strong potentials for playing useful roles in community care. Research and policy should consider measures to strengthen extended family network ties in developing countries.

The reliability and validity of the short version of the WHO Quality of Life Instrument in an Arab general population.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is rising interest in quality of life (QOL) research in Arabian countries. The aim of this study was to assess in a nationwide sample of Kuwaiti subjects the reliab...

Health – related quality of life of Kuwaiti women with breast cancer: a comparative study using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire

Abstract: The Kuwaiti perspective on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer is important because it adds the contribution from a country where the disease affects women at a relatively younger age and seems to be more aggressive We used the EORTC QLQ – C30 and its breast-specific module (BR-23) to highlight the health-related QOL of Kuwaiti women with breast cancer, in comparison with the international data, and assessed the socio-demographic and clinical variables that predict the five functional scales and global QOL (GQOL) scale of the QLQ – C30 Participants were consecutive clinic attendees for chemotherapy, in stable condition, at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center The 348 participants were aged 20–81 years (mean 483, SD 103); 587% had stages III and IV disease Although the mean scores for QLQ – C30 (GQOL, 453; and five functional scales, 526%–612%) indicated that the patients had poor to average functioning, only 58% to 112% had scores that met the 66% criterion for more severe symptoms Most (478%–701%) met the >66% criterion for "good functioning" on the BR-23 functional scales The mean scores of the QLQ – C30 indicated that, despite institutional supports, Kuwaiti women had clinically significantly poorer global QOL and functional scale scores, and more intense symptom experience, in comparison with the international data (ie,

A rating scale for drug-induced akathisia

Abstract: A rating scale for drug-induced akathisia has been derived that incorporates diagnostic criteria for pseudoakathisia, and mild, moderate, and severe akathisia. It comprises items for rating the observable, restless movements which characterise the condition, the subjective awareness of restlessness, and any distress associated with the akathisia. In addition, there is an item for rating global severity. A standard examination procedure is recommended. The inter-rater reliability for the scale items (Cohen's kappa) ranged from 0.738 to 0.955. Akathisia was found in eight of 42 schizophrenic in-patients, and nine had pseudoakathisia, where the typical sense of inner restlessness was not reported.

The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on Seeking and Participating in Mental Health Care

Abstract: Treatments have been developed and tested to successfully reduce the symptoms and disabilities of many mental illnesses. Unfortunately, people distressed by these illnesses often do not seek out services or choose to fully engage in them. One factor that impedes care seeking and undermines the service system is mental illness stigma. In this article, we review the complex elements of stigma in order to understand its impact on participating in care. We then summarize public policy considerations in seeking to tackle stigma in order to improve treatment engagement. Stigma is a complex construct that includes public, self, and structural components. It directly affects people with mental illness, as well as their support system, provider network, and community resources. The effects of stigma are moderated by knowledge of mental illness and cultural relevance. Understanding stigma is central to reducing its negative impact on care seeking and treatment engagement. Separate strategies have evolved for counteracting the effects of public, self, and structural stigma. Programs for mental health providers may be especially fruitful for promoting care engagement. Mental health literacy, cultural competence, and family engagement campaigns also mitigate stigma's adverse impact on care seeking. Policy change is essential to overcome the structural stigma that undermines government agendas meant to promote mental health care. Implications for expanding the research program on the connection between stigma and care seeking are discussed.