The Pattern of Psychiatric Disorders Among the Aged in a Selected Community in Nigeria

Objective: To describe the common mental disorders in elderly Nigerians living at home.

Method: A house-to-house survey of a rural community was conducted to identify subjects who were aged 60 years and above. The subjects were interviewed with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-24) and the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMS). Psychiatric syndromal diagnoses were made with the Clinical and Research ICD-10 manuals (ICD-10/ICD-10, DCR).

Results: The overall rate of major mental disorders was 23.1%, with depression constituting 79% of all the diagnoses. Specific dementia disorders were not found in any of the subjects (N=164), but 20.7% complained of forgetfulness. Use of tobacco (snuff), (local) alcohol, and other substances were common. No subject with any identified disorder was receiving any medical attention.

Conclusion: The study reveals the same range of mental disorders as in studies carried out elsewhere. This suggests that if similar methodologies are used, the mental morbidity rates among the elderly in different parts of the world may be about the same. There is a need for adequate planning to accommodate the social security and mental health needs of old Nigerians.