Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidity and its Associated Factors among Patients Facially Disfigured by Cancrum Oris in Nigeria a Controlled Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Little information is available about prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among adult patients who suffered from cancrum oris in Nigeria. The objective of this paper was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among patients of cancrum oris in Nigeria.

METHOD: A cross sectional controlled study was conducted in 2005 comprising 200 adult patients of cancrum oris. Data was collected through self administered questionnaire from the patients. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 28. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 37% which was about three times that of the control. Psychiatric morbidity was more prevalent among female patients. Other factors associated with high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity include being never married, no formal education and unemployed status.

CONCLUSION: Psychiatric morbidity is prevalent among cancrum oris patients with differences between both sexes. Being never married, no formal education and unemployed status were other associated factors.KEY WORDS: Cancrum oris; Morbidity; Noma; Prevalence; Sociodemography; Patients.