Post Partum Psychosis, Infanticide, Case Report, Nigeria.

Abstract

Introduction: Mental illnesses are very prevalent and highly disabling. Adults with mental illness in primary care are also more likely to be experiencing poorer overall health than those without. They also report more disability days in previous month. The chronic or recurrent nature of mental disorders make relatives fed up with endless care giving and social support rendering a good number of mentally ill homeless. Mental illness and homelessness have been reported to be associated with substance use, chronic medical diseases, self reported poor health and many barriers to service utilization. Method: Descriptive fact finding method of all homeless persons referred for treatment at State hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan between 2004 and 2007. Results: The median age of the respondents was 40 years, 60% were females, the median number of years of education was 3 years, 83.9% were never married, 60% had been on the streets for 5-10 years and 84.3% had never had contact with any formal mental care facility. The most prevalent DSM IV diagnosis was schizophrenia, (34.3%), followed by substance use disorder and co-morbid substance use plus psychosis, 15.7% respectively, 2.8% was commercial sex workers, while one (1.4%) received no diagnosis and was a criminal. All of them had at least a clinical health problem. While the most commonly reported social problem was financial problems leading to begging (95.7%). Conclusion: Homelessness among mentally ill is associated with physical health and social problems, therefore such patients need integrated multidisciplinary approach in designated centers for their care.

Key Words: Mental Disorders, Homelessness, Public Health.