South African Journal of Psychiatry最新文献

Background: Four out of five adolescents worldwide are physically inactive based on recommended standards.

Aim: We determined whether physical activity is associated with lower behavioural challenges in adolescents to promote buy-in from stakeholders.

Setting: KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, from January 2020 to March 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 adolescent learners (12-18 years) from three government schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, from January to March 2020. We fitted linear regression models between the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores (total, internalising, externalising, and prosocial) and hours of physical activity exposure, adjusting for demographic covariates, and depression history.

Results: The median age was 14.4 years (interquartile range = 1.36) and 75.9% of the participants were females. Overall average and weekday physical activity were each associated with lower total and externalising but higher pro-social scores. Depression was associated with higher inactivity scores (total, internalising and externalising).

Conclusions: The article shows that physical activity can reduce the behavioural and emotional problems in adolescents.

Contribution: Physical activity is critical for a healthy adolescent hood and needs to be actively included in childhood development.

Background: Sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent among the general population and individuals with mental disorders. However, little research has focused on the sleep quality of psychiatric patients beyond depression, despite its relevance in diagnostic criteria.

Aim: This study aimed to assess overall sleep quality in psychiatric outpatients and to assess for an association with socio-demographic variables.

Setting: This study took place at the adult psychiatric outpatient department of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to evaluate overall sleep quality using the self-administered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a validated tool. The PSQI yields a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with scores of 5 or greater indicating poor sleep quality. Eligibility was determined through structured clinical interviews and data obtained from participant records.

Results: Poor sleep quality was found in 50% of participants. Sleep quality did not differ significantly based on sex or age. Subscale analysis revealed reduced sleep duration and efficiency, nocturnal disturbances and daytime dysfunction. Additionally, 38% of participants required pharmacological intervention for sleep issues, despite lacking a diagnosis of primary or comorbid sleep disorders.

Conclusion: Half of the psychiatric outpatients experienced poor sleep quality, irrespective of socio-demographic factors, psychiatric diagnosis, symptom remission or medication type.

Contribution: This study highlights the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as comorbid conditions in psychiatric patients. Comprehensive evaluation and management of sleep quality can lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

Background: Early detection of psychosis improves treatment outcomes, but there is limited research evaluating the validity of psychosis screening instruments, particularly in low-resourced countries.

Aim: This study aims to assess the construct validity and psychometric properties of the psychosis screening questionnaire (PSQ) in South Africa.

Setting: This study was conducted at several health centres in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces in South Africa.

Methods: The sample consisted of 2591 South African adults participating as controls in a multi-country case-control study of psychiatric genetics. Using confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the PSQ.

Results: Approximately 11% of the participants endorsed at least one psychotic experience on the PSQ, and almost half of them (49%) occurred within the last 12 months. A unidimensional model demonstrated good fit (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.023, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.977 and Tucker-Lewis Index [TLI] = 0.954). The mania item had the weakest association with a single latent factor (standardised factor loading = 0.14). Model fit improved after removing the mania item (RMSEA = 0.025, CFI = 0.991 and TLI = 0.972). With item response theory analysis, the PSQ provided more information at higher latent trait levels.

Conclusion: Consistent with prior literature, the PSQ demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure among South Africans. In our study, the PSQ in screening for psychosis performed better without the mania item, but future criterion validity studies are warranted.

Contribution: This study highlights that PSQ can be used to screen for early psychosis.

Background: Adolescent mental illness is increasing worldwide, leading to more admissions to psychiatric institutions. Many adolescents may require multiple readmissions, which is disruptive to their holistic well-being and costly for the healthcare sector. Identifying especially modifiable risk factors for readmission remains an important step in providing potential areas for improving patient care.

Aim: This study investigated the risk factors associated with the readmission of adolescent mental healthcare users to a specialist psychiatric unit.

Setting: The specialist adolescent unit at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical files of 345 adolescents admitted between 2015 and 2019 were reviewed. The primary outcome variable was readmission, that is, whether a patient was readmitted to Weskoppies Hospital (n = 98) compared to those with no recorded readmission (n = 247).

Results: Readmitted adolescents were significantly younger on first admission compared to the non-readmitted group (13.46 vs 14.26, p = 0.016). Bivariate analysis showed that the readmitted group had a much higher rate of non-adherence to treatment (38.1% vs 10.5%, p = < 0.001). Patients with a family history of mental illness had a significantly higher risk of readmission (52.2% vs 37.5%, p = 0.015).

Conclusions: Adolescents were more likely to be readmitted if they had first admission at a younger age, a family history of mental illness or non-adherence to treatment.

Contribution: Identifying especially modifiable risk factors for readmission of adolescents to improve patient care, particularly in the South African context where there is a paucity of research on this topic.