Aggression is a significant clinical problem in psychiatric facilities. Consequences of aggression among psychiatric patients can be far reaching for the mental health worker. More longitudinal studies should be carried out among specific diagnostic categories of psychiatric patients to determine factors associated with aggression in each.

Background:The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) has been validated for use in the study of aggression in the developed world; unlike in the undeveloped world. The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the discriminant validity of the MOAS for use in this part of the world using psychiatric in-patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: Forty aggressive psychiatric patients and 40 non-aggressive healthy subjects were randomly selected for this study. The psychiatric patients were enlisted after fulfilling the ICD-10 (World Health Organization, 1993) criteria for a specific clinical diagnosis. The 40 non-aggressive subjects were mainly medical students and hospital staff. The MOAS was subsequently used to assess aggression in the entire cohort. Results: The males had higher mean global weighted score than the females in both the aggressive and nonaggressive categories. The mean global weighted scores of the aggressive and non-aggressive categories were 13.70+ 7.25 and 0.65 + 1.01 respectively. The difference in means is statistically significant; hence the MOAS has discriminant validity. Conclusion: Therefore, the modified overt aggression scale is a valid instrument in this environment for the study of aggression.

ABSTRACT:The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal amoebiasis in infant and junior school children in Degema General Hospital and its environs.405 stool samples were collected from children within the age group of 1-14 years who attended the Degema General Hospital and three communities of Ileleme, Okpor nd Usokun-Degema. The samples were examined for Entamoeba Histolytica cysts and/or trophozoites. The direct wet preparation and Formol Ether concentration techniques were employed. Forty three (11%) of the samples were found to be positive for the parasite. Children within the age category of 6-10 yrs had the highest rate of infection. Females (12.3%) were more infected than males (8.8%) proportionately. In conclusion, the prevalence rates of intestinal amoebiasis among these patients were 11%. Improved sanitation, personal hygiene and deliberate policy by government for rural community health concern will indeed prevent faecal contamination of food and water sources. @ JASEM

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Objective: To verify the psychometric properties of the social phobia inventory (SPIN) and hence its suitability for studying Social Anxiety Disorder in Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and eighty (280) subjects out of 305 initially enlisted into the study via random sampling, completed the study. The SPIN was administered to each participant. One hundred and fifty (150) subjects scored more than 19, i.e. scored positive for social phobia. Diagnosis of social phobia was made using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the SPIN were 82.2% and 77.6% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 80% each. Conclusion: The SPIN has excellent psychometric properties and is therefore valid for carrying out studies on social phobia in Nigeria.