The Paediatricans and Child Psychiatry in Nigerian

Abstract

Summary:. Paediatricians occupy a strategic position in implementing the three aspects of preventive Psychiatry, namely: primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. First, by collaborating with obstetricians they can reduce or eliminate those factors which contribute to the incidence of psychiatric disorders of childhood. Secondly, paediatricians carry out secondary prevention by prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment. In Nigeria at present, there is no remedial provision (tertiary prevention) for brain damaged children who form the bulk of our child psychiatric clinic attenders. It is therefore suggested that future plans for expansion of Child Health facilities in the country should include adequate provision to meet the needs of this group of children