A Profile of Adolescents Admitted on an Inpatient Psychiatry Unit in Nigeria and Their Evaluation of the Service

Aims: This study set out to describe the profile of adolescents admitted unto an inpatient unit in Nigeria and their evaluation of the service.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Place and duration of study: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria between January 2016 and February 2020.

Methodology: Patient notes and discharge summaries were used to collect the demographic characteristics of adolescents and their families, diagnoses and treatments provided during the hospital stay. A feedback form was used to evaluate different aspects of the service. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis for open ended responses.

Results: There were slightly more females (56.4%) than males (43.6%)admitted during the period of study and their mean age was 18.2 years (SD =3.0). The most common psychiatry diagnosis was psychotic disorders (48.9%) followed by mood disorders (38.3%). Almost half (48.6%) had 2 or more psychiatric diagnosis. Second generation antipsychotics were the most frequently used medications by the participants (76.6%). Median length of stay on the unit was 2.5 weeks (IQR = 2.6). Themes which emerged from patients’ experiences on the ward were reductions in feelings of isolation, changes in mental health perceptions and self – discovery. Strengths of the unit included staff responsiveness and team work. Weaknesses of the unit cited were the poor physical environment, and inflexible routines. Suggestions on how to improve the unit included increasing recreational and physical activities and staff re - training. Parents/guardians also wanted more support for themselves, and peer support for their children.

Conclusions: Majority of patients admitted onto this unit were older adolescents with psychotic and mood disorders. They and their parents/guardians were generally satisfied with the treatment milieu of the unit, and gave recommendations for further improvement of services on the unit.