Nkporbu A K
Biography
Dr Nkporbu, Aborlo Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Port Harcourt, a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Fellow of the World Psychiatric Association as an Early Career Psychiatrist and was recently appointed as a Fellow of the International Organisation for Academic and Scientific Development (FIOASD) and Consultant Neuropsychiatrist/ Mental Health Physician, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. He also sub-specialises in Public Mental Health, Neuropharmacology and Addiction Medicine. Dr Nkporbu has a Ph.D in Public Health (Health Systems Management). He also has a Masters degree in Pharmacology, a Masters in Public Health (MPH) and another Masters in Medical Education. He has also passed the International Credentialing Professional degree Examination for Substance Abuse/Addiction to barge the International Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP) degree.Dr Nkporbu has also undertaken a certificate programme in Leadership and Management in Health from the prestigious Washington University. Dr Nkporbu has served on many national technical committees on drafting policies and guildlines in the field of substance use disorders and addiction including the recently lunched Nigeria national guidelines for treatment of substance use disorders and the national guildlines on medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. He currently serves as a member, National Technical Working Group on drug demand reduction as well as harm reduction. Dr Nkporbu is a recipient of the prestigious Fellowship award of the World Psychiatric Association as an Early Career Psychiatrist and was recently appointed as a Fellow of the International Organisation for Academic and Scientific Development (FIOASD).Dr Nkporbu is a former Head, Department of Mental Health/Neuropsychiatry at the University of Port Harcourt/University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. He has equally headed the UNODC Model Drug Treatment/Rehabilitation Centre, University of Port Harcourt. His research interest include Neuropsychiatry, Neuropharmacology, Public Mental Health, and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Nkporbu was appointed as Journal Executive Editor by SAR Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and also an Editorial Board member for the Journal of Brain and Neurological Disorders. He has over 70 publications to his credit in both local and international journal, Chapters in referred books and a monogram, presented over 80 papers in both national and international conferences and given over 50 public lectures on mental health and substance use disorders. He is currently serving as an editorial board member of several reputable journals.
Research Interest
Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
Abstract
IMPACT OF TRAUMATIC EVENTS ON SUBSTANCE USE AMONG INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN SELECTED FLOOD AND WAR IMPACTED AREAS IN RIVERS.
Introduction and Aims: Different individuals react differently to emotionally traumatic events just as there are varying degrees of coping mechanisms. One of the common maladaptive coping mechanisms is increased predisposition to substance use. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the relationship between stressful life events and substance use among victims of flood and wars in selected parts of Rivers State.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted 4 different flood and war impacted areas where 357 respondents were investigated. Ethical procedures were followed including consent from participants. Respondents of between ages10-75 years were included in the study. Socio-demographic questionnaire was used. The Impact of Event Scale –Revised (IES-R), which isa 22-Item self-report that measures subjective distress cause by traumatic event and assesses post traumatic symptomatology, was used. The CAGE and structured questionnaires were used to assess alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Rapid urine drug toxicology was done for the respondents. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20.
Results: Two hundred and eighty (79.6%) respondents had IES-R score of 22 and above while 65.3%(n=233) scored 33 and above. Prevalence of substance use was 34.4%(n=123) from self report and 41.7%(n=149) from urine toxicology. Of the 149 respondents, 138 was among those who scored IES-R 22and above while 11 was among those who scored below 22(p=0.001). From urine toxicology, alcohol was the most consumed drug with 22.65 (n=81), followed by cannabis with 18.8% (n=67), tramadol16.5%(n=59), codeine 15.7%(n=56), Nicotine 14.8%(n=53), kolanut and khatchewing 6.4%(n=23), and benzodiazepam 12.8%(n=64).Polysubstance use was 18.8%(n=67). Three respondents use drug intravenously. Substance use significantly correlated with IES-R scores.(p=0.002).
Conclusion: Stressful and traumatic events may increase vulnerability to substance use, therefore Internally Displaced People(IDP) may require substance use disorder services and psychological care.
Keywords: Impact, Traumatic events, internally displaced People, Rivers State.
Psychiatric Co-Morbidity and Substance Use Correlated with Medication Adherence Among People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) Attending Virology Clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Background: HIV infection is an endemic communicable chronic disease, of enormous public health concern worldwide particularly, Sub-Saharan African. Substance use and associated psychiatric co-morbidity among the sufferers may affect medication adherence.
Aim: The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the association of psychiatric co-morbidity and substance use with medication adherence among PLWHIV at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 Subjects Living with HIV. Socio-demographic questionnaire was used. A structured questionnaire was used to assess use of psychoactive substances. Psychiatric co-morbidity was assessed using the GHQ-12 in conjunction with the DSM 5. The MAS was used to assess medication adherence. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20.
Results: The prevalence of psychological co-morbidity was 30.6% while that of substance use was 60.7%. Alcohol use was highest with 41 (24.3%), followed by cigarette smoking 26 (18.9%) while nicotine snuffing was the least with 1 (0.4%). Of the 43(18.7%) with poor medication adherence, 31(15.2%) had psychiatric co-morbidity, 26(11.3%) had substance use, 25(10.8%) had both psychiatric and substance use co-morbidity while 19(8.2%) had none (p=0.004) Conclusion: Psychological co-morbidity and substance use are prevalent among PLWHIV, and may affect medication adherence.
Keywords: Psychological co-morbidity, Substance use, Medication adherence, PLWHIV.
