Papers by Mohamad Hussain Habil
Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional hea... more Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional healers centres in Sudan in terms of sociodemographic profile, common clinical presentations and diagnostic features, and to look at the treatment methods and intervention procedures used in these centres for treating people with mental illness.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
Preventive Medicine, 2013
Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among... more Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in Malaysia.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Jun 2013
Background: Alternative and traditional healing methods are common and popular in Sudan, particul... more Background: Alternative and traditional healing methods are common and popular in Sudan, particularly for treating people with mental disorders, but little information is available about the outcome of theses traditional healing approaches. Objectives: To study the outcome of treating patients with psychotic disorders by traditional healers, and to understand the type of services, interventions procedures and treatments methods used by traditional healers to manage patients with psychotic disorders. Method: A prospective follow-up quantitative study of a cohort of inpatients with psychotic disorders was carried out from admission until discharge. Subjects were people with psychotic disorders undergoing treatment in traditional healer centres in central Sudan. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to diagnose the psychotic disorders and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of psychotic symptoms on admission and discharge from the traditional healer centre. Results: We interviewed 129 inpatients with psychotic disorders on admission and discharge from the traditional healers centres. There was a significant reduction in the PANSS score (p = .0001) after a mean period of stay of 4.5 months. The mean for the overall PANSS score was 118.36 on admission and 69.36 on discharge. Conclusion: Although traditional-healing approaches produce a significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of psychotic disorders measured on the PANSS, they need to be further investigated, assessed and studied.
International Medical Journal, 2013
Background: This cross sectional study was carried out on medical university students of Iran. Ma... more Background: This cross sectional study was carried out on medical university students of Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 participants from a total of 1866 followed the criteria of the study. The mean age was 24.6 ± 3.3 SD, males 70% and females 30%. Results: The prevalence of smokers was 27%, and their initiation into smoking had occurred under 18 years of age (89.6%). The result shows that, males were more likely to smoke than females. The data on unemployment, marriage, residency in Tehran, no resident dormitory and a wealthy background had meaningful frequency. In addition, data on family conflicts and separation were low in frequency. Ages 20-25 had a high frequency (56.6%). The consumption of up to 20 cigarettes per day was found highest in the 20-25 class at a rate of 32.6%, which is quite alarming. Motivations for taking up smoking were curiosity friends' interest and family, and were insignificant as habit, hobby and depression. Shisha was used (72.2%) more than other nicotine delivery packages. Conclusion: A noticeable prevalence current smoking habits was observed among medical students. Therefore, universities should issue nonsmoking regulations and awareness program among students which will significantly affect the national health. © 2013 Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation and Japan Health Sciences University.
Sains Malaysiana, Dec 2013
This study aims to describe the pattern of sexual behaviour among methamphetamine and heroin user... more This study aims to describe the pattern of sexual behaviour among methamphetamine and heroin users. It describes the pattern of sexual behaviour based on aspects of sex such as desire, interest, drive and obsession in relation to the drug use. A cross-sectional study was carried out among attendees of drug rehabilitation programmes in Kota Kinabalu, Kota Bharu and Kuala Lumpur. All subjects were living in the community with satisfactory psychosocial functioning. This study was primarily based on a validated sexual behaviour self-rated questionnaire followed by face-to-face interview. A total of 227 subjects were included with 124 (54.6%) using methamphetamine while 103 (45.4%) using heroin. Majority (218; 96%) were heterosexuals with 104 (45.8%) reported having been involved in high risk sexual behaviour. More methamphetamine than heroin subjects agreed that their sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviours were often associated with the drug (p<0.05). Methamphetamine subjects agreed that the use of methamphetamine caused them to be more obsessed with sex and they found themselves to be preoccupied with sexual thoughts while being under the influence of the drug (p<0.05). Heroin subjects mainly reported on negative effects of the drug on their sexual behaviour. Methamphetamine subjects reported that the use of drug had positively affected their sexual interest and drive (p<0.05). Methamphetamine subjects were also 1.97 times more likely than heroin subjects to be involved in risky sexual behaviour. The results of this study can be utilized to improve the drug treatment and rehabilitation programme. Methamphetamine subjects were more likely than heroin subjects to be involved in risky sexual behaviour.
Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bulteni-Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Jun 2012
Objective: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and tolerability of aripiprazole i... more Objective: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and tolerability of aripiprazole in the treatment of psychosis among methamphetamine dependent patients. Methods: This was an open label single arm prospective study conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The study subjects included treatment naive patients with a current diagnosis of methamphetamine dependence with co-occurring acute psychotic symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSMIV). Eligible patients were treated with an initial dose of 5-10 mg aripiprazole followed by flexible doses (5-15mg/day) from day 2 to 14. Results: Out of 49 patients enrolled, 41 patients (83.7%) completed the study. At baseline the mean PANSS total score was 79.2 +/- 13.7 and the mean CGI-S score was 4.3 +/- 0.5. There was a statistically significant decline in the mean PANSS-total and CGI-S scores over the course of the study. The mean reduction was 27.6 +/- 21.4 point (p < 0.05, 95% Cl (-34.8, -20.4)) from baseline on day 14 for total PANSS score and 2.0 +/- 1.2 point (p < 0.05, 95% Cl (-2.4, -1.6) for CGI-S. Aripiprazole was generally well tolerated during the study. Adverse events were reported in 10 (20.4%) patients. No statistically significant changes were noted with respect to movement-related adverse events. Conclusions: This study found that aripiprazole improved the psychotic symptoms associated with methamphetamine use. It was generally well tolerated with mild to moderate adverse events. Based on these results aripiprazole might be an effective and safe option for the treatment of methamphetamine induced psychosis.
Singapore Medical Journal, Dec 2012
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and risk of coron... more INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotics in Malaysia. METHODS This cross-sectional study, conducted at multiple centres, involved 270 patients who fulfilled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, were on antipsychotic medications for at least one year, and were screened for metabolic syndrome. Patients receiving mood stabilisers were excluded. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III criteria modified for Asian waist circumference. Risk for cardiovascular disease was assessed by using Framingham function (all ten-year CHD events). RESULTS The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 46.7% (126/270). Among all the antipsychotics used, atypical antipsychotics (monotherapy) were most commonly used in both the metabolic and non-metabolic syndrome groups (50.8% vs. 58.3%). The ten-year risk for CHD was significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome. The proportion of patients with high/very high risk for CHD (Framingham >= 10%) was greater in patients with metabolic syndrome than in those with non-metabolic syndrome (31.5% vs. 11.0%, odds ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval 2.0-7.6; p < 0.001). The mean body mass index was higher in patients with metabolic syndrome than in those without (29.4 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2) vs. 25.0 +/- 5.6 kg/m(2); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotics in Malaysia have a very high incidence of metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risk. Urgent interventions are needed to combat these problems in patients.
Iranian Journal of Public Health, Oct 2012
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an eight-week group mindfulness-based s... more Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an eight-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program would be an acceptable and effective treatment for patients suffering from GAD. Methods: Eligible subjects with generalized anxiety disorder were recruited to Parsa Hospital and Shahid Rajaee Counseling and Social Work Center from June 2009 to October 2011. An experienced psychiatrist diagnosed these patients with a structured clinical interview for axis I disorders and a clinical psychologist conducted a clinical interview for in order to confirm the diagnosis. Subjects were randomized to an eight week course of group mindfulness based stress reduction program (16 subjects) or a control group (15 subjects). Subjects completed measures of anxiety, depressive symptoms and worry at baseline and end of treatment. To investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression and worry symptoms and mindfulness based stress reduction as well as controlling pretest effect, data were analyzed with analysis of covariance. Results: There were significant reductions in anxiety (P<0/001), depressive (P<0/001) and worry symptoms (P<0/001) from baseline to end of treatment. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based stress reduction may be an acceptable intervention in the improvement of generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. Future trials include development of randomized clinical trials of MBSR for GAD.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2011
Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional hea... more Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional healers centres in Sudan in terms of sociodemographic profile, common clinical presentations and diagnostic features, and to look at the treatment methods and intervention procedures used in these centres for treating people with mental illness.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
International Journal of Addiction Sciences, 2011
Objectives: This paper examines the relationship of various licit/illicit substances and their as... more Objectives: This paper examines the relationship of various licit/illicit substances and their association with violent behaviors. Methodology: The selection of related articles was searched via various database including google scholar, ovid and sciencedirect search engines. Results: Most of the literatures suggest presence of association of various substance use with violent behavior but no definite causal relationship between them. Conclusion: Further study is needed to determine the extended relationship in between substance use and violence.
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Jan 2010
Objective: To examine the association between HIV infection and psychiatric disorders among priso... more Objective: To examine the association between HIV infection and psychiatric disorders among prisoners, where mental illness, substance abuse, and HIV are disproportionately represented. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Using a sequential randomization scheme, 200 HIV-seropositive and 200 HIV-seronegative prisoners were selected for evaluation of psychiatric illnesses with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (SCID-I). Results: The prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders, particularly opioid dependence, was extremely high. HIV infection was significantly correlated with age, ethnicity, marital status, history of injection drug use, lifetime duration of incarceration, substance abuse, and polysubstance drug use. After controlling for potential confounders, HIV infection was significantly associated with non-substance-induced psychiatric disorders (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.03-3.59). While prisoners with a triple diagnosis (psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and HIV) spent 46.7 more cumulative lifetime months in prison than those with only a psychiatric diagnosis (p<.01), those with a dual diagnosis (psychiatric plus substance use disorders) were comparable to those with one psychiatric diagnosis only. Neither HIV infection nor triple diagnosis was associated with violent offenses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a public health approach that simultaneously addresses psychiatric illnesses, substance abuse, and HIV infection is needed in both the correctional and the community settings in order to provide adequate care for triply-diagnosed patients and prevent them from returning to prison.
Brain Research, Oct 2010
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant that has surged in popularity worldwide in ... more Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant that has surged in popularity worldwide in the last decade. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophic factor family, is widely expressed in the adult mammalian brain and plays an important role in the long-term survival, differentiation, and outgrowth of neurons. Previous studies suggested that the BDNF gene may be involved in the mechanisms underlying substance dependence. This study investigated the association of the BDNF gene Va166Met polymorphism with methamphetamine dependence and with psychosis in a Malaysian population with different ethnicities. The BDNF Va166Met polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-RFLP in 186 male methamphetamine-dependent subjects and in 154 male controls of four different ethnicities, namely, Malay, Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun, and Bajau. Our results showed that the distribution of the BDNF Va166Met genotype in Chinese subjects with methamphetamine dependence (OR = 2.6, p = 0.015) and methamphetamine psychosis (OR = 0.2, p = 0.034) were significant compared with controls. The frequency of the 66Val allele in methamphetamine-dependent subjects was higher than that in the control group, suggesting that the 66Val carriers are more susceptible to methamphetamine dependence. However, 66Val allele frequency in other ethnicities was not significantly different from the controls. The results of the study also showed that in the Chinese methamphetamine-dependent subjects, there was a difference in allele frequency when comparing those who developed psychosis and those who did not. Our findings suggest that the BDNF Va166Met polymorphism may contribute to methamphetamine dependence and psychosis in the Chinese population but not in other Malaysian ethnicities. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010
This study determined medical service utilization and costs associated with switching to risperid... more This study determined medical service utilization and costs associated with switching to risperidone from previous treatment with typical antipsychotic agents. 62 adult outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were identified
from pharmacy records, with complete information regarding medical service utilization for one year before and after treatment with risperidone. Information on hospitalization, use of day care hospital, electroconvulsive therapy, emergency department, outpatient clinic services and functional
parameters were collected. Cost of treatment, cost of unemployment and cost of lost productivity due to suicide were calculated. The results showed significant fewer hospitalization days, ECT sessions and emergency department visits were observed one year after switching to risperidone (p<.05). The total treatment costs associated with risperidone after one year
was 88.8% higher than costs during the previous year of treatment with typical antipsychotic agents.
International Clinical Psychopharmacology, Mar 2010
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of valproate and lithium in bi... more The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of valproate and lithium in bipolar I patients experiencing a manic or a mixed episode. This international, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, equivalence study included 268 patients with bipolar I disorder. The starting dose of valproate was 20 mg/kg/day and that of lithium was 800 mg/day. Treatment duration was 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was mean change in Young Mania Rating Scale score between baseline and study end. Secondary outcome measures were response and remission rates, change in Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Bipolar Disorder instrument score, and occurrence of adverse events. The mean change from baseline in Young Mania Rating Scale score was 15.8 +/- 5.3 in the lithium group and 17.3 +/- 9.4 in the valproate group. The 90% confidence interval of the intergroup difference (-0.69; 3.31) was within prespecified equivalence limits. Response rates were 72.6% in the lithium group and 79.5% in the valproate group. Remission rates were 58.5 and 71.9%, respectively. No intergroup differences were observed in median time to treatment response (21 days) or change in Clinical Global Impression Bipolar Disorder instrument or Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores. Adverse events were reported in 42.8% of patients in the lithium group and 41.5% in the valproate group. Valproate and lithium showed comparable efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of acute mania over 12 weeks. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 25: 60-67 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 2008
Objective. To compare the effectiveness of olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or haloperidol mo... more Objective. To compare the effectiveness of olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or haloperidol monotherapy in patients with schizophrenia who were treated in routine clinical practice settings for a period of 2 years. The incidence and persistence of adverse events encountered during long-term therapy are also reported. Method. Outpatients with schizophrenia who entered this 3-year, prospective, observational study were classified according to their initially prescribed antipsychotic monotherapy: olanzapine (n=3222), risperidone (n=1116), quetiapine (n=189), or haloperidol (n=256). Patients were included in the analysis for as long as this treatment was maintained. Results. Over 2 years, olanzapine recipients had significantly (P0.001) greater reduction in overall CGI-S score (and the negative, depressive, and cognitive symptoms domains), lower incidence of sexual and motor dysfunction, and greater odds of response compared to risperidone or haloperidol-treated patients. However, olanzapine patients gained more weight than patients in other treatment groups. The incidence of motor dysfunction was significantly (P0.001) greater in haloperidol-treated patients, relative to the atypical treatment groups. Conclusion. The results of this observational study indicate that, in these patients with schizophrenia, long-term monotherapy with olanzapine may offer benefits over risperidone and haloperidol, but the potential for weight gain should be considered in the clinical management of these patients.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dec 2007
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of olanzapine i... more Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in the treatment of schizophrenia among Asian patients in an outpatient setting. Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, observational study involving 339 patients from Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression Severity scale (CGI-S), and safety parameters were assessed. Results: 62% of patients responded to olanzapine treatment, defined a priori as a reduction in BPRS of > 40% from baseline. Following the 8-week treatment period, the BPRS total, BPRS positive, BPRS negative, and CGI-S scores decreased by 18.7 (95% CT: 17.4 20.2), 6.1 (5.6, 6.6), 2.9 (2.6, 3.2), and 1.5 points (median 1.0), respectively (p < 0,0001). In total, 31 of the 339 patients (9.1%) failed to complete the study according to the study description. Loss to follow-up and personal conflict were the most common reasons for discontinuation. There were 30 treatment-emergent adverse events with six serious cases, assessed as unrelated to study drug, reported. Conclusion: This study further demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in actual clinical practice settings, in reducing the severity of psychopathological symptoms in Asian patients with schizophrenia.
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2007
Objectives: To determine the best possible programme that suits our local setting, to determine t... more Objectives: To determine the best possible programme that suits our local setting, to determine the average dose required, and to determine possible problems that can arise from implementing such a programme locally and how best to address them. Methods: The inclusion criteria were those above 18, a positive urine test, the presence of a supportive carer and
willing to engage in the programme. Methadone was initiated and observations relating to dose, adverse events, relationship with carers, work performance, crime and high risk behaviours
were monitored for 18 weeks. Results: Two thirds of the 45 subjects completed the trial over the 18 week period. No significant adverse events occurred and improvement in relationship with carers and work performance were noted with reduction in crime and high risk behaviours. Conclusion: Methadone is a safe and effective drug that can be used in the local Malaysian setting.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, May 2006
Objective: To examine clinical outcomes in Asian patients with schizophrenia receiving monotherap... more Objective: To examine clinical outcomes in Asian patients with schizophrenia receiving monotherapy with olanzapine, risperidone or typical antipsychotics in naturalistic settings. Method: In this report, data from the first 12 months of the prospective, observational, 3-year Intercontinental Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes study are presented for patients from participating Asian countries (Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia) who were started on, or switched to, monotherapy with olanzapine (n = 484), risperidone (n = 287) or a typical antipsychotic drug (n = 127) at baseline. Results: At 12 months, overall reduction in the score of Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness rating scale was greatest with olanzapine (p < 0.001 vs typical agents), followed by risperidone (p = 0.007 vs typical agents) treatment. Olanzapine treatment was found to have significantly better effects than typical agents on negative and depressive symptom scores, and significantly greater improvements than risperidone on negative and cognitive symptoms. The occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms was least likely with olanzapine (p < 0.001 vs typical agents, and p = 0.012 vs risperidone), while the estimated odds of tardive dyskinesia were greatest in the typical treatment group (p = 0.046 vs olanzapine, and p = 0.082 vs risperidone). Mean weight increase was greater for olanzapine-treated patients compared with the other agents (p = 0.030 vs typical agents and p < 0.001 vs risperidone). The risk of menstrual disturbance was relatively high with risperidone when compared with olanzapine treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this observational study indicate that, in Asian patients with schizophrenia, olanzapine may offer benefits when compared with typical agents or risperidone. However, the significantly greater odds of weight gain should be considered in the clinical management of olanzapine-treated patients.
Human Psychopharmacology-Clinical and Experimental, Jul 2006
in this open-label pilot study, 20 adult patients hospitalized for acute bipolar mania received o... more in this open-label pilot study, 20 adult patients hospitalized for acute bipolar mania received oral quetiapine as a single evening dose of 200 mg on day 1, increased by 200 mg/day on days 2, 3, and 4 until 800 mg/day taken in 2 divided doses on day 4. From day 5 onward, patients received a flexible total dose of 400-800mg/day until completion of 3 weeks of treatment. Safety and tolerability were assessed by adverse-event (AE)-related dropouts in week 1, incidence of AEs including EPS, changes in electrocardiogram, and vital signs. Efficacy was assessed using the YMRS, PANSS, and CGI scales. Nineteen of 20 patients (95%) completed the quetiapine rapid titration during week 1. Significant improvement was observed in YMRS, PANSS, and CGI Severity of Illness scores by day 5, and was maintained throughout the study. A reduction of >= 50% in YMRS score was achieved by 75% of patients by day 7, and maintained to day 21. Overall, 20% of patients discontinued due to AEs. Agitation was the most common cause of AE-related study discontinuation. Thirty-five per cent of patients required dose adjustment due to AEs after rapid dose administration was completed. Most patients tolerated rapid titration of quetiapine to 800 mg/day by day 4 of therapy, with a significant improvement in manic symptoms by day 7 of treatment. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice, 2013
Objectives. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy and safety of aripiprazol... more Objectives. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole for treatment of psychosis, retention and abstinence in patients with methamphetamine dependence. Methods. This was a double-blind study where 37 methamphetamine dependent patients with history of psychosis were randomly assigned to receive aripiprazole (5–10 mg daily, N = 19) or placebo (N = 18) for 8 weeks. Follow-up evaluation was scheduled on day 7, 14, 28, 42 day 56 after enrolment. Results. Participants on aripiprazole were retained significantly longer in treatment (48.7 days, SD =4.0) compared to placebo (37.1 days, SD =5.0). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that participants on aripiprazole were less likely to drop out of the study than the placebo group (P =0.02, χ2 =5.3). Psychotic symptoms significantly decreased among those on aripiprazole as compared to placebo (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significance was found between the two groups in maintaining abstinence (generalised estimation equation (GEE) analysis, P = 0.41). No serious adverse events were reported in either group. Conclusion. Aripiprazole was no more effective than placebo in maintaining abstinence from methamphetamine use. However, it facilitated treatment retention and reduced the severity of psychotic symptoms. Aripiprazole was found to be generally safe and well tolerated.
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Papers by Mohamad Hussain Habil
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
from pharmacy records, with complete information regarding medical service utilization for one year before and after treatment with risperidone. Information on hospitalization, use of day care hospital, electroconvulsive therapy, emergency department, outpatient clinic services and functional
parameters were collected. Cost of treatment, cost of unemployment and cost of lost productivity due to suicide were calculated. The results showed significant fewer hospitalization days, ECT sessions and emergency department visits were observed one year after switching to risperidone (p<.05). The total treatment costs associated with risperidone after one year
was 88.8% higher than costs during the previous year of treatment with typical antipsychotic agents.
willing to engage in the programme. Methadone was initiated and observations relating to dose, adverse events, relationship with carers, work performance, crime and high risk behaviours
were monitored for 18 weeks. Results: Two thirds of the 45 subjects completed the trial over the 18 week period. No significant adverse events occurred and improvement in relationship with carers and work performance were noted with reduction in crime and high risk behaviours. Conclusion: Methadone is a safe and effective drug that can be used in the local Malaysian setting.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. All inpatients with mental illness (405) from 10 selected traditional healers centres in Sudan who gave consent were interviewed, using a specially designed questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Results: Most of the visitors to the centres were from central Sudan with a mean age of 31 years, illiterate or with only a primary basic education, male and jobless. The average mean duration of stay in the traditional healer centre was five months and the mean duration of untreated illness before coming to the centre was 13 months. Only 17% reported a history of alcohol abuse and only 11% of drug abuse. The most common prevalent diagnosis was psychotic disorder.
Conclusion: This study improves the understanding about what types of people with mental illness are treated at these traditional healer centres and gives recommendations that can help in improving the quality of services in these centres. It can probably be used in building bridges of collaboration between these centres and the available mental health and psychiatric services in Sudan, especially at primary healthcare level.
from pharmacy records, with complete information regarding medical service utilization for one year before and after treatment with risperidone. Information on hospitalization, use of day care hospital, electroconvulsive therapy, emergency department, outpatient clinic services and functional
parameters were collected. Cost of treatment, cost of unemployment and cost of lost productivity due to suicide were calculated. The results showed significant fewer hospitalization days, ECT sessions and emergency department visits were observed one year after switching to risperidone (p<.05). The total treatment costs associated with risperidone after one year
was 88.8% higher than costs during the previous year of treatment with typical antipsychotic agents.
willing to engage in the programme. Methadone was initiated and observations relating to dose, adverse events, relationship with carers, work performance, crime and high risk behaviours
were monitored for 18 weeks. Results: Two thirds of the 45 subjects completed the trial over the 18 week period. No significant adverse events occurred and improvement in relationship with carers and work performance were noted with reduction in crime and high risk behaviours. Conclusion: Methadone is a safe and effective drug that can be used in the local Malaysian setting.