A Current Bibliography on African Affairs - Baywood Publishing

426 / A CURRENT BIBLIOGRAPHY ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS
PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES
1437. Adewuya, A. O. et al. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND
QUALITY OF LIFE IN PERSONS WITH HIV INFECTION IN NIGERIA. International
Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine. 2008, 38(1):43-51.
Despite the fact that two-thirds of all the people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa,
little is known about the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of subjects with HIV in
this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical
depression and quality of life in a group of HIV sero-positive subjects in Nigeria. Poorer
health related QOL in Nigerian subjects with HIV was associated with depression, lower
educational and socioeconomic levels, and poor social support. Early identification and
referral of patients with depression needs to be incorporated into intervention programs
designed for HIV infected individuals in this region.
1438. Boyer, P. et al. EFFICACY, SAFETY, AND TOLERABILITY OF FIXED-
DOSE DESVENLAFAXINE 50 AND 100 MG/DAY FOR MAJOR DEPRESSIVE
DISORDER IN A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL. International Clinical Psychopharmacology.
2008, 23(5):243-253.
The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of
desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) 50 and 100 mg/day for major
depressive disorder (MDD). Both doses of desvenlafaxine were generally well tolerated.
The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea, dizziness, insomnia,
constipation, fatigue, anxiety, and decreased appetite. Fixed doses of desvenlafaxine 50 and
100 mg/day are safe, generally well tolerated, and effective at a clinically relevant level for
the treatment of MDD.
1439. Cluver, L. D., F. Gardner, and D. Operario. EFFECTS OF STIGMA ON THE
MENTAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS ORPHANED BY AIDS. Journal of Adolescent
Health. 2008, 42(4):410-417.
By 2010, an estimated 18.4 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa will be orphaned by
AIDS. Research in South Africa shows that AIDS orphanhood is independently associated
with heightened levels of psychological problems. This study is the first to explore the
mediating effects of stigma and other factors operating on a community level, on associations
between AIDS orphanhood and mental health. We assessed the associations of four
risk factors that can potentially be addressed at a community level (bullying, stigma,
community violence, and lack of positive activities) with psychological problems and
orphanhood status. Multivariate analyses controlling for age and gender showed that
experience of stigma significantly mediated associations between AIDS orphanhood and
poor psychological outcomes. Reduction of AIDS-related stigma could potentially reduce
adverse psychological outcomes among AIDS-orphaned adolescents.
1440. Crouch, R. B. A COMMUNITY-BASED STRESS MANAGEMENT PRO-
GRAM FOR AN IMPOVERISHED POPULATION IN SOUTH AFRICA. Occupational
Therapy International. 2008, 15(2):71-86.
The development and evaluation of a program for the effective management of stress in
an impoverished rural community is the subject of this research study. A random sample of
160 participants was selected from the rural population of the Limpopo Province of South