Impact of Mental Health on chronic conditions and cost implications- Leveraging data to predict risk
Background: Value-based care systems are increasingly replacing fee-for-service models, as the latter has proven unsustainable. Mental health and their implications on patients are starting to get significant attention in the past decade. Unrecognized mental illness (MI) and their impact on chronic diseases could have a significant impact on disease progression and cumulative cost to the health system.
Study design: We have analyzed a large cohort of patients using OptMyCare’s risk stratification system. Predictive analytics using proprietary algorithms were implemented to estimate cost and disease progression in high-risk patients with and without MHD across the cohort. Cost modeling and outputs are resulted as cost per member across chronic conditions with & without MIs. The members with & without MIs were propensity matched for demographics, disease severity and SDOH.
Key Results: Members with MI in 8 of the 9 chronic conditions demonstrated a significant increase in cumulative cost. There was a 64% mean increase in claims cost per member with MIs.
Conclusion: Utilizing validated algorithms to identify high-risk MI members and implementing disease mitigation strategies targeted at chronic conditions in addition their MI could result in improved clinical outcomes and bend the cost curve.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1336 View / Download PdfPremature Ejaculation and Anxiety Symptoms: Psychological Effects that Distress South African Males
Objective: This study aimed to determine whether there was a significant relationship between premature ejaculation (PE) and anxiety symptoms amongst South African males. In addition, the study conducted a preliminary analysis to examine whether ethnicity and age acted as moderating variables.
Method: A quantitative, correlational design was used with 175 men between the ages of 18 and 70 years of age who had joined the Men’s Clinic International private Facebook group.
Results: Regarding hypothesis one, the results indicate a significant correlation between PE and anxiety symptoms. The second hypothesis was also accepted, namely that that the correlation between anxiety and PE is stronger in white and mixed compared to black ethnicity groups. The third hypothesis, namely that age was a moderating variable between premature ejaculation and anxiety symptoms, did not change the direction of the relationship, and was therefore rejected.
Conclusion: The study provides new information to professionals when it comes to understanding men who experience PE and present with anxiety symptoms.
Contribution of the study: When treating individuals with anxiety-related premature ejaculation, the importance of cultural appropriateness and sensitivity should be emphasized. Understanding how ethnicity and age contribute to the presentation and interpretation of the disorder can be used to explain and offer treatment methods that would not perpetuate negative connotations regarding psychotherapy. Psychotherapy will become a conducive space for males where there will be respect, decreased experience of shame, and enabling vulnerability. With this approach, the male experience and perspective to therapy may become positive. Once the anxiety-related premature ejaculation is successfully treated, men will be able to confidently refer others for further assistance.
In addition, this approach will further yield effective collaborations between mental health practitioners and medical clinics such as Men’s Clinic International. It will enable further research studies pioneered by physicians and psychologists with the aim to explore sexual dysfunctions at length. The vision will be to ensure updated definitions of sexual dysfunctions, in different contexts by considering age, ethnicity and possibly medical conditions.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1331 View / Download PdfDo the Effects of Inadequate Housing/Community and Inadequate Employment Increase the Likelihood of Criminality Amongst Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities?
An abundant amount of research on mental health and more specifically the social barriers faced by Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities (IMHD) exists regarding access to adequate housing/community and employment. What research lacks in precision concerns incidents of criminality amongst IMHD. Research has concluded decades over that IMHD are more at-risk of finding themselves in situations of inadequate employment and inadequate housing/community. To which, research has also found most often leads to increased chances of addiction, welfare dependency, negative peer associations/influences, lack of positive role models; situations of which in general lend greater opportunities for criminal involvement. This paper will in a literature review, seek to understand and analyze why IMHDs make-up an overrepresented population within the criminal justice system, and whether or not there is a correlation between criminality perpetuated by IMHD in relation to situations of inadequate housing/community and inadequate employment amongst said population.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1333 View / Download PdfCommentary on Septate uterus discovery during an emergency cesarean section in the North Eastern of the Democratic Republic of Congo: A case report and review of the literature
In the limited resources settings of sub-Saharan Africa generally and specifically in a region affected by armed conflict, diagnosis and management of congenital malformations pose significant challenges. This commentary on “Septate uterus discovery during an emergency cesarean section in the North Eastern of the Democratic Republic of Congo: A case report and review of the literature”, examines the diagnostic challenges, the impact of armed conflict on maternal health and the management strategies. In addition, it highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective management in obstetric care and calls for building of research networking to improve the detection and treatment of congenital malformation in rural armed conflict zones with limited healthcare resources.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1334 View / Download PdfThe Influence of Internet Addiction on the Psychological Well-being of Students at the American University of Nigeria in the Post-COVID Era
This study examined the influence of internet addiction on the psychological well-being of students in the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria in the post Covid era. University students are particularly vulnerable to internet addiction due to the pressures of academic life, social expectations, and the widespread availability of digital technology. The study employs a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, which allows for the collection of data at a single point in time. The study administered 100 questionnaires due to the regulatory admission of students in line with the American styled education. A combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling was employed to recruit participants for the study. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (means, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s r, regression, t-tests/ANOVA) performed using SPSS, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results indicate that internet addiction negatively impacts all six dimensions of psychological well-being, with environmental mastery and self-acceptance showing the strongest correlations. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether internet addiction predicts psychological well-being dimensions. The regression model was statistically significant (F (6, 93) = 7.85, p < 0.001), with an R² of 0.45, indicating that internet addiction accounts for 45% of the variance in psychological well-being. Early intervention and support are essential for addressing internet addiction and promoting psychological well-being among university students. Essentially, the research demonstrates a clear link between internet addiction and compromised psychological well-being in university students. This therefore highlights the need for awareness, prevention strategies, and support systems to help students maintain a healthy balance between their online and offline activities.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1335 View / Download Pdf