Are polymorphonuclear leukocytes an abnormal finding in cerebrospinal fluid? Results from 225 normal cerebrospinal fluid specimens

Although it is often claimed that the presence of a single polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is abnormal, recently some have suggested that a few PMNs are occasionally present in cytocentrifuged differential cell counts of normal CSF. We examined 225 consecutive normal CSF specimens to determine how frequently PMNs occur in normal CSF and to identify factors associated with the presence of PMNs. One or more PMNs were present in 73 cases (32%). The number of CSF PMNs was strongly correlated with the degree of CSF blood contamination and the hematologic PMN count. Of the 163 specimens having 25 red blood cells or less per cubic millimeter, only eight (5%) had three or more PMNs, and these outliers had abnormally high hematologic PMN counts. Of the 36 specimens having 100 red blood cells or more per cubic millimeter, 17 (47%) had six or more PMNs. We conclude that the number of PMNs found on cytocentrifuged differential cell counts is highly dependent on the degree of CSF blood contamination and the patient's hematologic PMN count and that even minimal blood contamination can result in the presence of one to two PMNs in normal CSF.     

Integrating mental health into primary care in Nigeria: report of a demonstration project using the mental health gap action programme intervention guide

Background

The World Mental Health Surveys conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that huge treatment gaps for severe mental disorders exist in both developed and developing countries. This gap is greatest in low and middle income countries (LMICs).Efforts to scale up mental health services in LMICs have to contend with the paucity of mental health professionals and health facilities providing specialist services for mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders. A pragmatic solution is to improve access to care through the facilities that exist closest to the community, via a task-shifting strategy. This study describes a pilot implementation program to integrate mental health services into primary health care in Nigeria.

Methods

The program was implemented over 18 months in 8 selected local government areas (LGAs) in Osun state of Nigeria, using the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG), which had been contextualized for the local setting.A well supervised cascade training model was utilized, with Master Trainers providing training for the Facilitators, who in turn conducted several rounds of training for front-line primary health care workers. The first set of trainings by the Facilitators was supervised and mentored by the Master Trainers and refresher trainings were provided after 9 months.

Results

A total of 198 primary care workers, from 68 primary care clinics, drawn from 8 LGAs with a combined population of 966,714 were trained in the detection and management of four MNS conditions: moderate to severe major depression, psychosis, epilepsy, and alcohol use disorders, using the mhGAP-IG. Following training, there was a marked improvement in the knowledge and skills of the health workers and there was also a significant increase in the numbers of persons identified and treated for MNS disorders, and in the number of referrals. Even though substantial retention of gained knowledge was observed nine months after the initial training, some level of decay had occurred supporting the need for a refresher training.

Conclusion

It is feasible to scale up mental health services in primary care settings in Nigeria, using the mhGAP-IG and a well-supervised cascade-training model. This format of training is pragmatic, cost-effective and holds promise, especially in settings where there are few specialists.

     

The perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing in the treatment of mental illness: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Purpose

This work complements a quantitative review by Nortje et al. (Lancet Psychiatry 3(2):154–170, 2016) by exploring the qualitative literature in regard to the perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing of mental disorders.

Method

Qualitative studies focusing specifically on traditional and/or faith healing practices for mental illness were retrieved from eight databases. Data were extracted  into basic coding sheets to facilitate the assessment of the quality of eligible papers using the COREQ.

Results

Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Despite methodological limitations, there was evidence from the papers that stakeholders perceived traditional and/or faith healing to be effective in treating mental illness, especially when used in combination with biomedical treatment.

Conclusion

Patients will continue to seek treatment from traditional and/or faith healers for mental illness if they perceive it to be effective regardless of alternative biomedical evidence. This provides opportunities for collaboration to address resource scarcity in low to middle income countries.