South African Journal of Psychiatry : SAJP

BACKGROUND: Sodium valproate (valproate) that is used both as an anti-epileptic and a mood stabiliser is teratogenic in pregnancy. A Dear Health Care Professional Letter (DHCPL) issued in December 2015 recommended the avoidance of sodium valproate prescription in women of childbearing age (WOCBA) and pregnant women. AIM: This study aimed to describe the prescription pattern of valproate in female mental healthcare users (MHCUs). SETTING: Regional hospital psychiatry department in King Dinizulu Hospital Complex, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal...

BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers are an essential health resource in the care of persons with severe mental disorders, particularly in South Africa where access to mental healthcare services is limited. AIM: The study aimed to explore and describe the coping strategies used by informal caregivers and the specific health impacts they face in the context of severe mental disorders in South Africa. SETTING: The study was conducted in Bushbuckridge municipality situated in the northeastern parts of Mpumalanga province, South Africa...

BACKGROUND: Women charged with violent offences may be referred by courts for forensic psychiatric assessment to determine whether mental disorder or intellectual disability impacts their fitness to stand trial and/or criminal responsibility. The profile of these women is a poorly researched area in South Africa. AIM: This study examined the socio-demographic, offence-related, and clinical profile of South African women charged with violent offences referred for forensic assessment...

BACKGROUND: South African legislation advocates for equitable access to mental healthcare services integrated into general healthcare settings. Mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders are often comorbid. Pharmacoepidemiology provides indirect evidence of service provision for conditions amenable to medicine treatment. AIM: The study aims to evaluate medicine procurement for MNS disorders at different service levels in the health system. SETTING: The Public health sector, Gauteng province formed the setting for the study...

BACKGROUND: Mental healthcare workforce shortage in Nigeria poses a major obstacle to mental health services scale-up. Digital psychiatry may provide a veritable platform to bridge treatment gaps. AIM: To provide an overview of quantity and range of peer-reviewed publications on digital psychiatry in Nigeria. SETTING: A comprehensive literature search encompassed all original, peer-reviewed research articles on digital psychiatry in Nigeria...

BACKGROUND: Trauma experiences, particularly in childhood, have been associated with criminality and mental illness. There is a paucity of research into the crime of murder, trauma and mental illness. AIM: This research study focused on state patients charged with murder and sought to determine associations with prior trauma experiences, and specific types of traumas (sexual, physical and emotional). SETTING: The study was conducted at a forensic psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa...

BACKGROUND: Globally, crime is highly masculinised and research into female criminality is scarce. In South Africa, no research specifically investigating the characteristics of female observandi referred for non-violent crimes has been published. AIMS: The study aimed to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and forensic correlates in women referred to Sterkfontein Hospital for forensic psychiatric observation following a non-violent criminal charge between 2010 and 2019...

BACKGROUND: Hyperprolactinaemia among patients on antipsychotic medications is generally overlooked due to lack of outwardly visible symptoms, patient resistance to reporting because the symptoms are perceived as shameful, or to clinician's insufficient knowledge. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the patterns and correlates of hyperprolactinemia among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications. SETTING: The study was conducted in a psychiatric facility in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria...

BACKGROUND: There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intravenously as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms, in a real world setting in South Africa. AIM: This retrospective chart review reports the clinical response (change in Patient Health Questionnaire - 7 score) to an initial infusion series of ketamine added to usual treatment, and the pattern of its subsequent maintenance use, for depressive symptoms...

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that nyaope, a heroin-based drug, is widely used in South Africa. Yet few reliable research tools are available to assess treatment outcomes of users. The Opiate Treatment Index (OTI), a tool developed in Australia, could potentially facilitate research on context-specific South African treatment outcomes. However, we know little of its test-retest reliability. AIM: This study aimed to assess the test-retest reliability of the OTI among a sample of nyaope users in Johannesburg...

BACKGROUND: Treatment rates for severe mental illness (SMI) are low in low- and middle-income countries because of limited resources. Enlisting family support could be effective and low cost in improving patient outcomes. AIM: The article assess the feasibility, acceptability and estimates of efficacy of Family Psychosocial Involvement Intervention (FAPII) for patients with SMI. SETTING: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and Mityana District Hospital in Uganda...

BACKGROUND: Substance use among adolescents carries a significant public health and socioeconomic burden with potential long-term consequences for the adolescent substance user (SU). Adolescents with mental health challenges are vulnerable to substance use and substance use worsens outcomes in this population. AIM: This study aimed to describe the substance use patterns among inpatients admitted to a specialised tertiary adolescent inpatient unit in Johannesburg over a 4-year period...

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversities and adult trauma are common among female inmates. Associations have been documented with childhood adversities and mental illness, personality disorders, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and violent offending. However, no such study had been conducted in South Africa (SA), despite the high prevalence of HIV and trauma in SA. AIM: To measure the prevalence of childhood adversities and adult trauma; and to determine if there is a relationship between childhood adversities, mental illness, personality disorders, HIV and violent offending among female inmates...

BACKGROUND: The psychosocial and medical implications of unplanned pregnancy in women with mental illness (MI) are vast. International guidelines make clear recommendations about family planning for women with MI, particularly those exposed to known human teratogens; however, there is limited research related to contraceptive usage among women with MI. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of consistent contraceptive use and family planning education (FPE) among a population of women of childbearing age with MI...

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...

BACKGROUND: Between March 2021 and April 2022, there were 90 037 documented adolescent pregnancies in South Africa. Statistics SA reports that this number is growing. Pregnancy places adolescents at greater risk of psychiatry-related morbidity and may have far-reaching consequences for their children. To date, there is no published data describing the patient profile of adolescent pregnancies in Gauteng Province, South Africa. AIM: To describe the patient profile (demographics, schooling history and type of accommodation), pregnancy-related factors, substance use habits and contraceptive use in pregnant adolescents seen at a tertiary care maternal mental health clinic (MMHC)...

BACKGROUND: Patients with multi-episode bipolar and psychotic disorders have a high prevalence of substance use disorders, with negative consequences. A brief, easily administered screening test such as the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is needed to identify those at risk in order to intervene appropriately. However, the ASSIST has not yet been validated in this population. AIM: This article aims to determine the validity and reliability of the ASSIST in detecting substance use disorders in patients with multi-episode bipolar and psychotic disorders...

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists play an integral role in the management of people living with a mental illness, yet little is known about their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about mental health globally and particularly in South Africa. AIM: The purpose of the study is to map global evidence on mental health education for physiotherapists, including their knowledge, attitude and perceptions, with the goal of using this information to design an improved undergraduate curriculum for physiotherapy in South Africa...

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in the use of digital information and communication technology (ICT) for mental health care purposes. Information and communication technology tools may enhance mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour. AIM: To describe the access to, use and perception of ICT in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. SETTING: The study was conducted at an urban psychiatric hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa...

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-developmental disorder prevalent among children and adults. Adults living with ADHD can experience significant distress affecting their daily functioning on emotional, physical, interpersonal, familial and financial levels. Intervention programmes may be a way to mitigate these challenges. AIM: This review identified good evidence-based intervention studies for adults with ADHD and described the usefulness of these interventions...