Subjective quality of life of Nigerian schizophrenia patients: sociodemographic and clinical correlates.
OBJECTIVE
Subjective quality of life (QOL) is dependent upon culture and its evaluation based on one's particular belief system. This study aimed to examine the subjective QOL of Nigerian out-patients with schizophrenia and its correlates.


METHODS
Out-patients with Schizophrenia (n = 99) completed the WHOQOL-BREF as a measure of their subjective QOL. Sociodemographic, illness related and medication related details were also obtained.


RESULTS
Overall, 21 patients (21.2%) were categorised as having 'good' and 36 (36.4%) as having 'poor' subjective QOL. 'Poor' subjective QOL correlated with anxiety/depression symptoms (OR 4.88, 95% CI 2.93-11.48), comorbid medical problems (OR 4.75, 95% CI 1.43-16.33), unemployment (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.25-11.72) and poor social support (OR 4.60, 95% CI 1.49-14.28).


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts to improve the QOL of patients with schizophrenia in this environment should encompass the identified variables. Larger, longitudinal and multi-centred studies are needed to adequately identify factors predicting QOL in this environment.
Adewuya
A O
AO
Department of Behavioural Medicine, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Makanjuola
R O A
RO
D000328:Adult; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D003469:Culture; D003710:Demography; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data