Implications of psychosocial factors as precipitant of asthma attack among a sample of asthmatics.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between psychosocial factors and asthma.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive asthmatics were screened using the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), Present state examination (PSE) and a socio-demographic schedule incorporating psychosocial variables. Chi-squared test, student "t" test and discriminant analysis were used in analysis.


RESULTS
Among the asthmatics studied 36% had psychopathology. Psychosocial variables significantly associated with psychopathology include worrying, crying, fighting, anger, marital tension, and menstruation. The presence of multiple psychosocial variables was significantly associated with psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial variables predict the presence of psychopathology.
Mosaku
Kolawole S
KS
Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. kmosaku@yahoo.co.uk
Erhabor
Gregory E
GE
Morakinyo
Olufemi
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires