Features of isolated sleep paralysis among Nigerians.
BACKGROUND
There is paucity of studies on isolated sleep paralysis (ISP).


OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of variables for ISP sufferers, and clarify factors predictive of ISP health behaviour (IHB--doing something to prevent further attacks).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
General population.


METHODS
24-item ISP questionnaire completed by respondents.


METHODS
One hundred and ten (38.2%m, aged 30.9 years).


RESULTS
Mean ISP frequency in the lifetime, past year and past month, were respectively, 6.7, 2.02, and 0.5; average duration of episodes was four minutes, and 63.6% experienced it while awakening from sleep. Using ICSD criteria, 2.7% had severe experience (i.e. at least once per week), 18.2% moderately severe (once per month) and 75.5% mildly severe (less than once per month), with no significant demographic associations. 56.4% were afraid of the experience, 76.4% had little/no worries that something was seriously wrong with their bodies; 39.1% cited supernatural causes, 35.5% cited physiological/psychosocial causes; and 44.5% described a hallucinatory experience. 1.8% took medical measures, and 7.3% consulted a faith healer; 44.5% resorted to prayers and 41.8% did nothing to prevent further attacks. The primary determinant of IHB was being afraid of ISP.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings have public mental health education, treatment and research implications.
Ohaeri
J U
JU
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Awadalla
A
A
Makanjuola
V A
VA
Ohaeri
B M
BM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D020188:Sleep Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires