Relative Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Components in Nigerians: the Adult Treatment Panel III Definition

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing in all populations worldwide and is associated with a substantially elevated risk of type 2 diabetes (5-fold) and of cardiovascular disease (2-3 fold). Metabolic syndrome is now established as a simple means of identifying individuals at increased risk of future cardio vascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adult Nigerians attending Family Medicine Clinics at two health facilities in Rivers State; Nigeria and to determine how much each diagnostic criterion contributed to the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Methods: Subjects were bled after an overnight fast; and venous blood obtained for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Measurements were made to determine height; weight; waist circumference and blood pressure. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Project: Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition. Results: The unadjusted and age-adjusted prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome at one centre were 19.8and 20.9respectively while they were 34.2and 31.6respectively at the other centre. The prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol was very high at both centres (78.3at one centre and 92.1at the other). Metabolic syndrome is most prevalent in females and older subjects. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (19.8and 20.9; unadjusted and age-adjusted; respectively) were lower at one centre than the other (34.2and 31.6; unadjusted and age-adjusted; respectively). Despite the very high prevalence of low HDL- cholesterol; the relative risk for metabolic syndrome was not statistical significant (RR=6.73; 95CI: 0.99-45.55)

Medical Waste Management at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: The generation and handling of wastes from medically related procedures poses a potential health hazard to health workers and non health workers alike; and this has far reaching consequences for the public in areas where such wastes are disposed of carelessly. Aim: To investigate the medical waste management procedure at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and assess the knowledge of; attitudes to and practice of waste management by staff of the Hospital. Methods: A stratified random sampling method was used for this descriptive cross sectional study; using a structured questionnaire that was pre-tested; as the instrument of data collection. The respondents were directly involved with medical waste generation; handling and disposal. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows software; version 12.0. Results: There was a high level of awareness among UPTH health workers of the different waste types and their hazardous nature. A majority of the respondents showed favourable attitudes towards the importance of guidelines on medical waste management and training in; and use of personal protective equipment. Also the staff avoided certain aspects of their jobs they considered risky. The study also showed that the procedure of medical wastes management i.e. generation; segregation; storage; treatment; and final disposal at the UPTH was inadequate. Conclusion: The knowledge; attitude; and practice of the UPTH members of staff regarding management of medical wastes appeared satisfactory. The procedure of wastes management at the hospital appeared inadequate. We recommend that health education on medical wastes management be aggressively pursued as a policy

The prevalence of obesity as indicated by BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending family medicine clinics as outpatients in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study's aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. Methods: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6. 04d). Results: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2). Obesity as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2) is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged