Psychological distress and its associated socio-demographic factors among amputees in an orthopaedic hospital in south-eastern Nigeria

Early detection and treatment of psychological morbidity have been associated with reduction in long-term disability and increase in total well-being of amputees. However, much attention have been focused on the management of the physical disability with little interest on differences in distress on account of socio-demographic factors such as gender. This cross-sectional study examined psychological distress in 86 orthopaedic patients with limb amputation participated in the study. They were assessed with the Symptom Distress Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and socio-demographic questionnaire. Results showed that about sixty-four percent (64.4%) of the participants manifested distress in at least one domain of the Symptom Distress Checklist. None of the socio-demographic variables (e.g., gender) differentiated the participants in their self-reported psychological distress. Considering the high prevalence of psychological distress among amputees, mental health professionals should be involved in the management of these patients prior to and after amputation in order to enhance and promote prevention, early detection and treatment of psychological morbidity among amputees.Keywords: Amputation, Gender, Mental Health, Psychological distress, Psychotherapy