Self-stigma is a common phenomenon in psychiatric outpatients in this environment. The present anti-stigma programmes must extend to regions of sub-Saharan Africa and incorporate self-stigma as a matter of priority.

A sample of 252 women was studied for postpartum depression (PPD) in a 68-bed maternity hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. After obtaining consent, they were assessed using: (1) a questionnaire on socio-demographic profile and risk factors of PPD; (2) the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and when necessary with (3) the depressive module of International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). The cohort was predominantly young (mean age 28.5 +/- 5.26 years). About one-quarter (23%) scored > or =12, (the cut-off score) on EPDS assessment; with majority of these depressed on further evaluation with ICD-10. The risk factors for PPD were found to be mainly psychosocial, including unwanted pregnancy, unemployment and marital conflict. It is concluded that PPD is a major complication of childbirth in Nigeria, which can be minimized by improving both the citizens' socioeconomic condition and providing cheaper and more efficient health-care services.

Objective: To determine the mortality among admitted patients in the study centre, a pioneer psychiatric facility in the West African sub-region. Design: A detailed retrospective study of the records of all deaths among the inpatients during the ten-year period of January, 1991 to December, 2000. Setting: Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria; established in 1907 with present bed status of 535 and patronage from Lagos and it's environ, including the neighbouring Benin Republic. Subjects: Ninety six patients that died while on admission in the centre during the study period. Results: A total of 96 patients died over the ten-year period, giving an annual rate of 9.6. The age range was 14-87 years, and mean of 44.4 (SD ±16.8) years. The male: female ratio was 1:1.6. Schizophrenia (26%) and major depression (25%) constituted the main psychiatric diagnoses at the time of admission among the cohort. The commonest cause of death included infections/infestations, most especially malaria and septicaemia (44% of the cohort). Conclusion: It is concluded that the major psychotic disorders, schizophrenia and depression continue to constitute the highest psychopathologies diagnosed psychiatric mortality study. Finally, infections/infestations still continue to play leading role as major causes of death in the West African sub-region.