title: Prodromal psychotic symptoms and psychological distress among secondary school students in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between prodromal psychotic symptoms and psychological distress among Nigerian adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students (n=508) were randomly selected from secondary schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief Version (PQ-B) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered to each student.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the students was 15.4 years (SD 1.3), with most (63%) being female. More than half (55.3%) reported having had a lifetime experience of major life event (20.9% in the preceding 6 months) while 13.9% had experienced bullying or abuse (5.1% in the preceding 6 months). The prevalence of prodromal symptoms was 20.9% (95% CI 0.174-0.244). Abnormal scores in emotional and conduct problems were seen in 11.8% and 6% respectively, while 7.3% had abnormal scores in each of the hyperactivity and peer problems subscales of the SDQ. Abnormality in prosocial behaviour was found in 1.8% of students, with overall abnormality in 4.9%. Regression analysis showed that prodromal symptoms were predicted by female sex, lifetime and 6 month history of major life event, and lifetime and 6 month history of bullying or abuse. Prodromal symptoms were also predicted by higher total SDQ scores and higher scores in all domains of psychological distress except the prosocial domain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a relationship between reported prodromal symptoms and the occurrence of psychological distress. It also showed that early childhood trauma may be a predisposing factor to the early stages of development of psychosis, with female children being especially prone in the years of adolescence.
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychiatric Hospital , Aro Abeokuta , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeniran O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Okewole
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychiatric Hospital , Aro Abeokuta , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sewanu S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Awhangansi
authors.affiliation: b Military Hospital , Ikorodu, Lagos , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mojisola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasokun
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychiatric Hospital , Aro Abeokuta , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adetayo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeniji
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychiatric Hospital , Aro Abeokuta , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Omotilewa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Omotoso
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychiatric Hospital , Aro Abeokuta , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ajogbon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058445:Bullying / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires