The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in Nigeria.

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 3, 461-474 (2007)

Authors and affiliations:
Mary Gloriac C. Njoku
DePaul University, USA, nmgloria@depaul.edu

Leonard A. Jason
DePaul University, USA

Susan R. Torres-Harding
Roosevelt University, USA

NLM Citation: PMID: 17439996


The present study found adult rates of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in 
Nigeria that were somewhat higher than rates from community-based CFS 
epidemiologic studies in the USA. The rates of chronic fatigue for both 
adults and children were also higher than in existing community-based studies.

It is possible that the presence of several fatiguing illnesses such as 
malaria and typhoid, the lack of adequate healthcare resources and poverty 
in Nigeria, place individuals at greater risk for fatigue and its syndromes.

There is a need for more epidemiologic studies on the prevalence and 
sociodemographic characteristics of CFS in developing countries.

Key Words: Africa • community-based research • epidemiology • international 
study

© 2007 SAGE Publications