Self-reported psychological distress and its relationship with religiousness of Nigerian physicians: a multicenter study

Received: May 08, 2019
Accepted: Feb 08, 2020
Ref: Akanni OO, Osundina AF, Agbonile IO, Olotu SO, Ayilaraa OO, Akhigbeb KO. Self-reported psychological distress and its relationship with religiousness of Nigerian physicians: a multicenter study. Internet J Medical Update. 2019 July;14(2):6-11.
CrossRef Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v14i2.2

Oluyemi O. Akanni¹, Adeagbo F. Osundina¹, Imafidon O. Agbonile¹, Sunday O. Olotu¹, Olaniyi O. Ayilaraa¹, Kingsley O. Akhigbeb²

¹Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria
²University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria

(Corresponding Author: Oluyemi O Akanni, Email: poppaul2002@gmail.com)

ABSTRACT

Physicians are prone to psychological distress, and this has been poorly studied in association with religiousness. As a result, the prevalence of psychological distress among physicians and its relationship with religiousness was investigated. The study was conducted at two neuropsychiatric centers, and two teaching hospitals in the South-South and South-West regions of Nigeria. Demographics and practice-related characteristics of 231 physicians were collected in addition to report on psychological distress using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and a religiousness measuring scale, Ironson–Woods Spirituality/Religiosity Index. Chi-square and t-test analyses were done using SPSS version 19. The prevalence rate of significant psychological distress among physicians was 19.05%. The physicians’ specialty of practice fell short of statistically significant association with religiousness (X2=9.02, p=0.06). There was no significant association between physicians’ state of health and religiousness. Psychological distress is fairly common among physicians and shows no relationship with religiousness.

KEY WORDS: Physician; Psychological distress; Religiousness; Religious affiliation

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