This study analyses the relationship between fear of stigma and bypassing primary ART facilities by ART clients in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Methodology: The study employed an exploratory case study design, involving 52 participants of: ART clients (n = 37), nurses (n = 7), a counsellor (n = 1), cadres (n = 2), pharmacists (n = 2) and data managers (n = 3) through convenient and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guides and analysed using a thematic framework.

The study provides ample evidence of the occurrence of stigma-driven bypassing of primary ART facilities by clients. The analysis shows entrenched cultural norms and values and the population’s low awareness of the efficacy of ART fuel the processes of stigma and discrimination towards ART clients.

We acknowledge the following limitations and strengths: convenient and purposive sampling procedures may not represent the views of all ART clients on bypassing primary facilities. Sensitive nature of HIV and the location of ART centres, coupled with time constraints in probing into all ART bypassing issues. Yet, given the depth of the issues presented and the scope of participants and ART facilities, we believe relevant data was generated to address the research question.

An integrated approach could be used to address the drivers of stigma and discrimination focusing on awareness creation to undo the entrenched negative cultural beliefs around HIV transmission, and implement anti-HIV stigma legislation to eliminate prejudice towards PLHIV.

The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability of an educational video among primary care clinicians as a tool to promote the use of stigma-free language in interactions with individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The language used by primary care clinicians in interactions with adults living with T2D can contribute to perceptions and experiences of diabetes-related stigma and be a barrier to achieving and sustaining glycaemic targets. In 2017, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association for Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) issued a guidance paper with recommendations to promote stigma-free communication about diabetes.

The educational video, developed by the research team, presents two versions of a vignette in which a nurse practitioner interacts with an adult with T2D in a primary care setting. The first version of the vignette features the nurse practitioner using stigmatizing language as outlined in the ADA and ADCES guidance paper; the second demonstrates the use of stigma-free language by the nurse practitioner. A narrator highlights the linguistic differences. The study participants, comprising physicians (n = 8), nurse practitioners (n = 9), and physician assistants (n = 1), were recruited through professional networks and via online forums and listservs for healthcare professionals. Participants viewed the educational video and were interviewed via Zoom by a research team member using a semi-structured interview guide. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Three main themes emerged from the data: aligning video content with existing attitudes and beliefs, reducing the use of stigmatizing language, and increasing the use of stigma-free language. Findings suggest that an educational video promoting the use of stigma-free language in interactions with adults with T2D is acceptable among primary care clinicians.

People living with epilepsy (PWE) experience higher rates of depression compared with the general population. Depression in PWE is associated with increased seizure burden and reduced quality of life. We aimed to examine clinical and demographic correlates of depression severity using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire in PWE experiencing negative health events in the past 6 months.

1. (a) To assess how depressive severity correlated with seizure frequency;

2. (b) To examine how outcomes such as quality of life are influenced by depressive severity;

3. (c) To investigate how demographic factors affect depressive severity.

Depressive severity was defined as a score of 0–9 for no depression to mild symptoms (NMD), 10–19 for moderate depression (MOD) and 20–27 for severe depression. Continuous variables were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis equality-of-populations rank test, and categorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Baseline data were taken from Sequential, Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial no. NCT04705441.

The sample of 159 participants had a mean age of 39.46 years (s.d., 12.15), with the majority (n = 131, 82.4%) identifying as White. A total of 48% (n = 76) of participants met the criteria for NMD, 41% (n = 65) met those for MOD and 11% (n = 18) met those for severe depression. The severe depression group had significantly more seizures in the past 30 days, as well as greater perceived stigma, lower social support and lower quality of life, compared with the other groups. Race was found to correlate with depressive severity in NMD and MOD versus the severe depression group.

Among adults with epilepsy, depressive severity was positively correlated with seizure frequency and stigma and negatively correlated with quality of life, social support and overall functioning. These results highlight the importance of routine screening for depression, and of providing management of these symptoms in comprehensive epilepsy care.

This study explores psychiatrists’ perceptions of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the lens of evolutionary psychiatry, a growing field that reframes mental disorders in the context of adaptation and survival. Evolutionary theories suggest that traits associated with ADHD, such as impulsivity, hypercuriosity and novelty-seeking, may have been adaptive in ancestral environments, though they manifest as maladaptive in structured modern contexts.

A bespoke 10-item questionnaire was developed to assess psychiatrists’ attitudes following a presentation on evolutionary perspectives of ADHD by an expert. The questionnaire allowed rating in 5-point Likert fashion and was followed by a free text box for qualitative analysis. Basic descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA pairwise comparisons between groups was used to test for statistical significance. A p value of <0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Forty-two participants, including 21 consultants and 19 psychiatry trainees completed the questionnaire. All participants rated their comprehension of the presentation as high/very high. Most strongly agreed that the information presented could improve psychiatry and therapeutic outcomes. However, consultants with more than 10 years of experience were less likely than trainees to report optimism about the practical applications of evolutionary frameworks. Qualitative feedback emphasized the relevance of evolutionary perspectives in clinical practice, particularly in reducing stigma and enhancing therapeutic engagement with patients and families.

While the results from this study were positive, limitations include the small sample size and lack of prepresentation baseline data. However, this study has formed part of the first step in investigating the perceptions and attitudes of psychiatrists on evolutionary perspectives on ADHD.

To determine the most acceptable term for borderline personality disorder (BPD). We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients who know what it feels like to be diagnosed with a mental disorder. The main outcome measures were the proportion of participants offended and confused by alternative terms for BPD.

Seventy-two people participated in the study. Being diagnosed with a condition was more offensive than being diagnosed with a disorder (χ2 = 41.18, d.f. = 1, P < 0.01). Fluxithymia offended the fewest participants (13%), but was the most confusing term (31%). Emotionally unstable personality disorder was the most offensive term (63%). After fluxithymia, emotional intensity disorder was the least offensive term, and not especially confusing (11%). Changing BPD to emotional intensity disorder would avoid an offensive event every 3.6 diagnostic announcements.

The diagnostic term BPD should be replaced with emotional intensity disorder, because this term provides a balance of clarity and inoffensiveness.