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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Somatization disorder among adolescents in southeast Nigeria: a neglected issue

Authors: A. R. C. Nwokocha, J. M. Chinawa, V. Onukwuli, A. Ubesie, Appolos Ndukuba, A. T. Chinawa, Elias Aniwada, Samuel Uwaezuoke

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Adolescents do present with somatization disorder which is often neglected by pediatricians. This could have serious consequences if not curbed early.

Objectives

This study is aimed at determining the pattern and types of Somatization disorder among adolescents attending secondary schools in south east Nigeria.

Methods

Somatization disorder was investigated among 485 adolescents from mixed schools using a stratified random sampling of adolescents from four secondary schools in southeast Nigeria. The Enugu somatization scale was used to evaluate for presence of somatization in the participants. Statistical analysis was with statistical package for social sciences (SPPS) version 19 (Chicago IL).

Results

A total of 485 adolescents aged 10–19 years were included in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 16.36 with standard deviation (SD) of 3.14 years. Two hundred and fifty-one (51.8%) had head features, 262 (54.0%) had body features, 303 (62.5%) had either head or body features while 210 (43.3%) had both head and body features. One hundred and thirty-four males (51.3%) compared to 117 females (52.2%) reported symptoms consistent with head symptoms (p = 0.038). One hundred and eleven males (42.5%) compared to 99 females (44.2) reported symptoms related to the head and body (p = 0.137) while 135 males (51.7%) compared to 127 females (56.7%) reported symptoms related to the body (p = 0.925). There were significant associations of age in categories with head, body, either head or body as well as both head and body features (all p value <0.001).

Conclusions

Psychosomatic problems do exist and may be on the rise among adolescents.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Somatization disorder among adolescents in southeast Nigeria: a neglected issue
Authors
A. R. C. Nwokocha
J. M. Chinawa
V. Onukwuli
A. Ubesie
Appolos Ndukuba
A. T. Chinawa
Elias Aniwada
Samuel Uwaezuoke
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0161-3

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