Quality of life group of cameroonian patients aged over 65 years in an urban setting: A cross-sectional study

Background. The quality of life of the elderly can be compromised by several chronic diseases. This has a considerable impact on their physical and mental capacities.This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of the elderly at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Methods.We carried out a cross-sectional study of elderly patients who consulted at the Yaounde Central Hospital forfive months. Sociodemographic characteristics were taken, and we also took data concerning their chronic conditions and depressive symptoms. The presence of any cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-mental state Examination (MMSE). Their functional capacity was assessed with the six-minute walk test. Quality of life was evaluated using the older people's quality of life questionnaire (OPQOL). The multivariate analysis was done on the logistic regression model, and the p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results.66 participants were included (35 women) with a median age of 70 (IQR: 67 -75) years. About 87.8% had at least one chronic condition, and 47% had two or more. The most prevalent chronic condition was hypertension (71.2%), followed by abdominal obesity (40.9%) and heart failure (24.2%). Mild depressive symptoms were present in 1.5% of our study population. Fourteen participants (21.2%) had a poor quality of life. The factors associated with a poor quality of life was a distance covered in the 6 MWT less than 350m (OR: 3.7, p < 0.05). Conclusion.There is a high prevalence of poor quality of life among elderly patients consulting at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. A distance covered in the 6MWT less than 350m is associated with poor quality of life.

Introduction. La qualité de vie des personnes âgées peut être compromise par la survenue de plusieurs pathologies chroniques. Cela a un impact considérable sur leurs capacités physiques mais aussi sur leurs capacités mentales. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer la qualité de vie des personnes âgées suivies à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé. Méthodologie. Nous avons réalisé une étude transversale analytique sur des patients âgés ayant consulté à l'hôpital central de Yaoundé pendant une période de cinq mois. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques ont été prises, ainsi que leurs différentes comorbidités. La présence d'un déficit cognitif a été évaluée à l'aide du Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE). Leur capacité fonctionnelle a été évaluée à l'aide du test de marche de six minutes. La qualité de vie a été évaluée à l'aide du score OPQOL.. L'analyse multivariée a été effectuée sur le modèle de régression logistique et les valeurs de p < 0,05 ont été considérées comme statistiquement significatives. Résultats. 66 participants ont été inclus (35 femmes) avec un âge médian de 70 (IQR : 67 -75) ans. Parmi eux, environ 87,8 % avaient au moins une maladie chronique et 47 % en avaient deux ou plus. L'affection chronique la plus répandue était l'hypertension artérielle (71,2 %), suivie de l'insuffisance cardiaque (24,2 %) et de l'arthrose (12,1 %). Des symptômes dépressifs légers étaient présents chez 1,5 % de la population de notre étude. 14 participants (21,2 %) avaient une mauvaise qualité de vie. Les facteurs associés à unemauvaise qualité de vie étaient une distance parcourue dans le 6MWT inférieure à 350m (OR : 3,7, p < 0,05). Conclusion. Il existe une forte prévalence de la mauvaise qualité de vie chez ce groupe de patients âgés camerounais dont le facteur associé retrouvéest une distance parcourue durant le 6MWT inférieure à 350m.Ceci confirme le bénéfice de l'activité physique sur le plan physique et mental, indispensable pour une meilleure qualité de vie.

Male knowledge of birth preparedness in Ogun State, Nigeria: A rural/urban comparative cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the knowledge of men concerning birth preparedness between rural and urban dwellers of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 men each in rural and urban areas of Ogun State using a multistage sampling method to select participants. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data about respondents' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of birth preparedness. Knowledge was graded as good and poor knowledge. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20 and presented as tables.Results: The mean ages of the urban and rural respondents were 36.58±6.760 and 37.61±9.788 respectively. The difference in the mean age of urban and rural residents was not statistically significant (t= -1.819, P=0.069). A higher proportion of urban respondents (53.4%) had a statistically significant good knowledge of birth preparedness compared to 30.2% of rural men (P<0.001). The association between age and knowledge of birth preparedness was statistically significant among rural respondents (P<0.001) unlike urban respondents (P=0.874). A statistically significant association was noted between education and knowledge (P<0.001) in the urban area as against the rural area (P=0.084).Conclusion: Knowledge of birth preparedness is better among male urban dwellers than their rural counterparts. Knowledge is statistically significantly associated with age in the rural area and with the level of education in the urban area. There is a need for an improved appropriate strategy that can raise knowledge of maternity care among rural men

Needs assessment for a formal emergency medicine residency program in southern Madagascar

Introduction:World Health Organization data for Madagascar reveal that the nation's under age five mortality rate is 56/1000, and that its maternal mortality rate is 440/100,000. Malaria, leprosy, plague, and tuberculosis remain significant communicable disease threats. Malnutrition rates are improving but continue to impact negatively on the general health of the Malagasy population, especially in the southern region with its 1.9 million inhabitants. There are no emergency medicine (EM) training programs to serve the southern half of Madagascar, which has a large urban population in Fianarantsoa. This study aimed to assess the need for and potential feasibility of an emergency medicine training program in southern Madagascar. Methods:We met with the institutional leadership on site at the university hospital in Fianarantsoa. A needs assessment was performed on multiple domains. Domain 1: existing hospital infrastructure and its physical plant and emergency centre (EC) space allotment. Domain 2: existing clinical and technological resources. Domain 3: educational resources and the existing curriculum for EM. Domain 4: medical student educational program and availability of prospective residency candidates. Domain 5: pre-hospital care and emergency medical services.Results: The size of the EC is adequate for the current census. Clinical resources are typical of many developing countries, with significant need for technological advancement and support, which we delineate in the body of our paper. There is an existing curriculum in Antananarivo and in Majanga, as well as one available through the African Federation for Emergency Medicine. The medical school in the area is relatively new, with graduating classes numbering approximately 30. There is no organised pre-hospital care system, no 9-1-1 equivalent, and no pre-hospital treatment from within metropolitan Fianarantsoa. Conclusions:While the needs assessment indicates substantial need for emergency medicine development in southern Madagascar, the yield (particularly for the metropolitan Fianarantsoa area) would serve the population well

A rural-urban comparison of ownership and utilization of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets among pregnant women in Ogun State Nigeria

Background:The use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets(LLINs) in Africaincreasedmean birth weight by 55g, reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 23% and decreased miscarriages/stillbirths by 33%. However, the benefit of the LLINs may be limited by the rate of ownership and utilization by pregnant women.Objective:To determine and comparethe ownership and utilizationof LLINs among pregnant womenin urban and rural areas of Ogun State. Methods:A community-based comparative cross-sectional study on 72 and 74 pregnant womenliving in urban and rural areas, respectively of Ogun State was carried out. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique and apretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire,information on LLINs ownership and usewere obtained. Results:Ownership of LLINs was 81.1% in rural areas compared to 66.7% in urban areas. About 65%of participantsin rural versus 44.4% in urban areas slept under LLINs.The predictor ofownership of LLIN was age group15-24years [AOR 0.10 (95%CI 0.01 -0.56)]. The predictors of utilization of LLINs includedurban residence[AOR 0.29(95%CI 0.13 ­0.65)], age group15-24years[AOR 0.17 (95%CI 0.04 ­0.70)], registration of pregnancy for antenatal care [AOR 5.12 (95%CI 1.14 ­23.03)] and knowledge on prevention of malaria [AOR 4.94 (95%CI 1.51 ­16.17)].Conclusion:Pregnant womenshould visit ANCclinics regularly, and health education on malaria should focus more on the prevention ofmalaria as well as encouraging the consistent use of the nets, particularly in the urban areas

Daily tobacco use and problem drinking among urban adults in South Africa: a longitudinal study

Introduction: there is a lack of longitudinal studies investigating daily tobacco use and problem drinking in Africa. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of daily tobacco use and problem drinking and to determine the factors associated with daily tobacco use and problem drinking among urban dwellers in a longitudinal study in South Africa.Methods: electronic interview data were collected from 2213 adults (mean age 45.7 years, SD=15.1; range 20-97) at time 1 (baseline assessment) and Time 2 (12 months follow-up assessment) from one urban centre in South Africa.Results: daily tobacco use only, was at time 1 24.0% and at time 2 23.4%, a decrease of 0.5%. Problem drinking only was at time 1 19.6% and at time 2 21.1%, an increase of 1.5%. Concurrent daily tobacco use and problem drinking increased from time 1 9.5% to 10.3% at time 2, an increase of 0.8%. In longitudinal regression analyses, being male and being born in current city were significantly associated with all three substance use indicators (daily tobacco use; problem drinking; and concurrent daily tobacco use and problem drinking). In addition, older age, not currently married, lower education, underweight and higher levels of perceived stress were associated with daily tobacco use and younger age was associated with problem drinking.Conclusion: high prevalence of daily tobacco use and problem drinking were found among urban dwellers and several socio-demographic (being male, being born in the city, not married and lower education) and health variables (being underweight and perceived stress) were identified which can guide substance use intervention programmes for this population

Prevalence of chronic respiratory disease in urban and rural Uganda

Objective To determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in urban and rural Uganda and to identify risk factors for these diseases. Methods The according to standard guidelines and completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms, functional status and demographic characteristics.The presence of four chronic respiratory conditions was monitored: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and a restrictive spirometry pattern. Findings In total, 1502 participants (average age: 46.9 years) had acceptable, reproducible spirometry results: 837 (56%) in rural Nakaseke and 665 (44%) in urban Kampala. Overall, 46.5% (698/1502) were male. The age-adjusted prevalence of any chronic respiratory condition was 20.2%. The age-adjusted prevalence of COPD was significantly greater in rural than urban participants (6.1 versus 1.5%, respectively; P<0.001), whereas asthma was significantly more prevalent in urban participants: 9.7% versus 4.4% in rural participants (P<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic bronchitis was similar in rural and urban participants (3.5 versus 2.2%, respectively; P=0.62), as was that of a restrictive spirometry pattern (10.9 versus 9.4%; P=0.82). For COPD, the population attributable risk was 51.5% for rural residence, 19.5% for tobacco smoking, 16.0% for a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 and 13.0% for a history of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusion The prevalence of chronic respiratory disease was high in both rural and urban Uganda. Place of residence was the most important risk factor for COPD and asthma

Delay to diagnosis and breast cancer stage in an urban South African breast clinic

Background. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in many low- and middle-income countries, and often presents at an advanced stage that affects prognosis irrespective of the care available. Although patient-related delay is commonly cited, the reasons for delay and the relationship of delay to stage are still poorly documented, especially in Africa. Objectives. To identify where patient-related socioeconomic delays occur and how these relate to stage at presentation. Methods. Consecutive women with a new breast cancer diagnosis were prospectively invited to complete a questionnaire on their socioeconomic characteristics and ability to access care. Clinical stage at presentation was documented. Results. Over 14 months, 252 women completed the questionnaire (response rate 71.6%). Their median age was 55 years (interquartile range 44 - 65), with 26.5% aged <45 years. Stage at presentation was stage 1 in 15.5% of patients, stage 2 in 28.5% and stage 3 in 56.0%. Almost a third of the patients (30.4%) presented with a T4 tumour (6.1% inflammatory). Total delay in presenting to the breast clinic was significantly associated with locally advanced stage at presentation (p=0.021). Average delay differed between early stage (1.5 months) and locally advanced (2.5 months), and most delay occurred between acknowledging a breast symptom and seeking care. The least delay was between attending a health service and presenting at the open-access breast clinic, with 75.0% presenting within 1 month. Factors associated with delay were difficulties with transport, low level of education and fear of missing appointments due to work. Conclusions. Most women delayed in seeking breast care. Facilitating direct access to specialist breast clinics may reduce delays in presentation and improve time to diagnosis and care

Implementation research: reactive mass vaccination with single-dose oral cholera vaccine, Zambia

Objective:To describe the implementation and feasibility of an innovative mass vaccination strategy ­ based on single-dose oral cholera vaccine ­ to curb a cholera epidemic in a large urban setting.Method:In April 2016, in the early stages of a cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia, the health ministry collaborated with Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization in organizing a mass vaccination campaign, based on single-dose oral cholera vaccine. Over a period of 17 days, partners mobilized 1700 health ministry staff and community volunteers for community sensitization, social mobilization and vaccination activities in 10 townships. On each day, doses of vaccine were delivered to vaccination sites and administrative coverage was estimated.Findings:Overall, vaccination teams administered 424 100 doses of vaccine to an estimated target population of 578 043, resulting in an estimated administrative coverage of 73.4%. After the campaign, few cholera cases were reported and there was no evidence of the disease spreading within the vaccinated areas. The total cost of the campaign ­ 2.31 United States dollars (US$) per dose ­ included the relatively low cost of local delivery ­ US$ 0.41 per dose.Conclusion:We found that an early and large-scale targeted reactive campaign using a single-dose oral vaccine, organized in response to a cholera epidemic within a large city, to be feasible and appeared effective. While cholera vaccines remain in short supply, the maximization of the number of vaccines in response to a cholera epidemic, by the use of just one dose per member of an at-risk community, should be considered

Informal transit, socio-spatial exclusion, and changing geographies of HIV/AIDS in urban Malawi

The role played by the transport sector in the regional spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is well known, yet attention has remained confined to entertainment hotspots and stopping places along long-distance highways and cross-border transport corridors. This paper draws attention to informal modes of transit prevalent in sub-Saharan African cities, by linking the rise of two-wheeled, manually operated bicycles, known as "Sacramento", to the potential spread of HIV and AIDS in Malawi. The findings of a qualitative study from Mzuzu city show that Sacramento operators are prone to demanding or accepting sexual favours from female commuters as payment for a ride. We draw on complementary theories of the political ecology of health (PEH) and feminist political ecology to show how a popular belief that Sacramento is an inferior mode of urban transit underpins risky sexual behaviour among men hired to operate this informal mode transport. The findings further show that operators' responses to this perceived inferiority are themselves also driven by gender discourses that seek to validate their identities as powerful go-getters. These scripts also create an environment that fosters multiple sexual partners and venerates unprotected sex. Because Sacramento is both a source of livelihood and an HIV risk milieu, it epitomises the contraction inherent in HIV and AIDS vulnerability in sub-Saharan Africa

Evaluation de la séroprévalence des hépatites virales B et C chez les donneurs de sang en milieu urbain dans un hôpital régional au Mali : cas de l'hôpital régional Fousseyni Daou de Kayes

Introduction : La recherche d'agents infectieux transmissibles notamment des virus des hépatites virales B et C chez les donneurs de sang permet de prévenir ces infections chez les receveurs de sang. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la séroprévalence des virus des hépatites virales B et C chez les donneurs de sang à l'hôpital régional de Kayes et contribuer à la sécurité transfusionnelle.Matériels et méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective et transversale portant sur les donneurs de sang à l'hôpital régional Fousseyni Daou de Kayes, menée du 1er janvier 2011 au 31 décembre 2015. Les données ont été recueillies à partir des registres de don de sang comportant les renseignements pour chaque donneur à savoir l'âge, le sexe, la catégorie du donneur, le résultat de la sérologie des virus des hépatites virales B et C. Les donneurs chez qui ces renseignements n'étaient pas disponibles ont été exclus de l'étude. La recherche d'agents infectieux et le groupage sanguin dans les systèmes ABO et RH (Rhésus) était toujours réalisée au préalable avant le don de sang chez les donneurs familiaux ou occasionnels. Les données ont été traitées au moyen du logiciel Epi info version 6.Résultats : La grande majorité des donneurs étaient des hommes (84%) avec un sex-ratio de 5,2. La tranche d'âge la plus représentée était de 26-35 ans (36%). Il s'agissait d'un don de sang familial ou compensatoire dans 95,6% des cas et d'un don volontaire par des donneurs réguliers ou nouveaux dans 4,4% des cas. La séroprévalence de l'Ag HBs était de 13,1% et celle de l'Ac anti VHC était de 1,4%. Par ailleurs, la séroprévalence de l'Ag HBs et de l'Ac anti VHC était respectivement de 0,13% et de 0,02% chez les donneurs de sang ayant un antécédent transfusionnel.Conclusion : La séroprévalence de l'Ag HBs reste élevée chez les donneurs de sang à Kayes d'une manière générale selon notre étude. Les campagnes de sensibilisation pour la promotion du don volontaire de sang s'imposent pour constituer un stock de sang conséquent pour couvrir les besoins transfusionnels de l'hôpital régional de Kayes

Anémie et pathologies associées au service de médecine générale du centre hospitalier universitaire de Yaoundé ­Cameroun

Les causes favorisant l'anémie sont les carences nutritionnelles, les parasitoses et les infections chroniques. Le but de notre étude est de d'évaluer la prévalence de l'anémie sur un an de consultation au service de médecine générale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaoundé-Cameroun, de ressortir les facteurs de risques et les pathologies associées à cette anémie. Il s'agit d'une étude prospective et descriptive. Tous les patients colligés ont été soumis à une numération formule sanguine, une goutte épaisse et une coprologie faits au laboratoire de l'Hôpital et des examens complémentaires étaient réalisés en cas de nécessité. Les résultats étaient les suivants : la prévalence de l'anémie était de 20,94%. Les résultats ont montré que les femmes étaient plus anémiques (16,68%) que les hommes (4,25%) sur toutes les tranches d'âge, et cette différence était significative ; p=0,0001. Les patients âgés de moins de 26 ans étaient plus anémiques que les autres tranches d'âge néanmoins l'anémie n'avait pas de liaison statistique avec l'âge ; p=0,2. De plus, les étudiants étaient statistiquement plus anémiques (8,40%) que les travailleurs (6,71%) et les ménagères (5,83%), la différence observée était significative ; p=0,001. Enfin notre étude révèle que les patients en carence nutritionnelle étaient statistiquement plus anémiques (10,97%) que ceux des autres groupes : accès palustre (5,26%), le groupe VIH et tuberculose (2,68%), le groupe hémopathie, parasitoses, addiction au kaolin ou géophagie, insuffisance rénale, cancer et polyménorrhées (1,98%) ; p=0,001. L'anémie constitue un problème de santé publique au Cameroun où la plus grande partie de la population souffre d'anémie carentielle. Les étudiants et les femmes étaient les populations à risque d'anémie

Prostate cancer detected by screening in a semi urban community in Southeast Nigeria: Correlations and associations between anthropometric measurements and prostate-specific antigen

Context: Prostate cancer (PCa) is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages in Nigeria. Aims: To determine the screen detected PCa prevalence in a suburban community and explore any relationships between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anthropometric measurements. Settings and Design: Nsukka is a town and local government area (LGA) in Southeast Nigeria in Enugu State. Towns that share a common border with Nsukka are Edem Ani, Alor-uno, Opi, Orba, and Ede-Oballa. Nsukka LGA has an area of 1810 km2 and a population of 309,633 at the 2006 census. All consecutive responders who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Subjects and Methods: A screening outreach was conducted in one location in Nsukka. PSA testing and digital rectal examinations were performed. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Statistical Analysis Used: Results were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 20 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY, USA). Categorical data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, with significance level set at P< 0.05. Pearson's correlation was conducted for interval data (P < 0.05). Results: One-hundred and sixty men met the inclusion criteria and were screened. Age range was 40­81 years; PSA range was 1.20­33.9 ng/ml. Digital rectal examinations (DREs) was abnormal in 17 men. Median BMI was 27.49. A Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between age and PSA, r = 0.127; P ≤ 0.05, and DRE findings and PSA, r = 0.178; P ≤ 0.05. There was no significant correlation between height and PSA, r = −0.99; P = 0.211; weight and PSA, r = −0. 81 P = 0.308; and BMI and PSA, r = −0.066; P = 0.407. 8/21 men consented to prostate biopsy with three positive, giving a screen detected PCa prevalence of 1.875%. Conclusions: Screen detected PCa prevalence in high this population and efforts to improve early detection may be of value in improving treatment outcomes

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in urban and rural dogs from southwestern Nigeria

Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoans infecting a wide range of mammals; the etiologic agents of Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis respectively; This study investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 233 serum samples were obtained from both urban and rural areas of Oyo state; Nigeria and tested by the western blotting technique for specific IgG to T. gondii and N. caninum.Results: The seroprevalence obtained for T. gondii was 19% (44/233) and 2.1% (5/233) for N. caninum in the dogs examined. Overall; the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii was more significant than for N. caninum (P 0.0001). T. gondii infection was also found to be more significant in roaming than in caged dogs (P 0.05). There was no significant association of other factors (age; breed; history of rabies vaccination; use of dog and the level of education of owner) with the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum infection. Conclusion: This report revealed that T. gondii infection is more common than N. caninum infection in Nigerian dogs; it suggests that improper housing and feeding of dogs could increase the risk of exposure to T. gondii infection. This is the first study to investigate the seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies in Nigerian dogs and T. gondii antibodies in dogs in southwestern Nigeria

Impact of performance-based financing on health-care quality and utilization in urban areas of Cameroon

This article looks at a pilot project designed to estimate the impact of performance-based financing (PBF) on the quality and utilization of health care in a predominantly urban setting - the Littoral region of Cameroon. It uses three quasi-experimental impact evaluation methods involving matching and difference-in-difference. Results show that the PBF pilot had a positive and significant impact on most essential aspects of quality of care. Meanwhile; there was no impact on any of the indicators of health service utilization with the exception (limited) of modern contraceptive methods. These findings suggest that the setting and indicators chosen are important in achieving maximum impact. However; it should also be noted that improvements in utilization might be limited as a result of high baseline figures. Finally; the findings show that the quality of care seems to be the most promising aspect in terms of improvements related to PBF in urban settings

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Birth Registration among Mothers in an Urban Community in Southern Nigeria

Background: Birth registration is both a fundamental human right and an essential means of protecting a child's right to identity. Objective: The aim was to assess the awareness; knowledge and practice of birth registration by mothers and the socio-demographic determinants of birth registration in an urban community in southern Nigeria. Methodology: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among mothers in an urban community in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State; Nigeria. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Awareness of birth registration was high (69.6) with mass media as the major source of information (60.5); but the composite knowledge of it was poor. Awareness of the agency responsible for birth registration was poor. Only 44.2 of the respondents registered the births of their children; two-thirds of those who registered births possess a birth certificate. Marital status and level of education were significantly associated with the knowledge of birth registration. Age; level of education; marital status; occupation; and place of delivery were the determinants of the practice of birth registration. Conclusion: There is a need for a change of strategy in the campaign for birth registration so that awareness can translate into better knowledge and practice. We advocate the establishment of community-based birth registration centers to improve accessibility and practice of birth registration

Obesity; overweight; and underweight among urban Nigerians

Background: Disease burden from communicable and noncommunicable diseases is a significant health challenge facing many developing nations. Among the noncommunicable diseases; is obesity; which has become a global epidemic associated with urbanization. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of weight abnormalities; their pattern of distribution and regional differences among apparently healthy urban dwelling Nigerians. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based descriptive survey was carried out in five urban cities; each from one geo-political zone of Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedures were used to select participants using the World Health Organization STEPS instrument. Ethical approval and consents were duly and respectively obtained from the Ethics Committee in the tertiary centers and participants in each of these cities. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp.; Amonk; NY; released 2011) with P value set at 0.05. Results: A total of 5392 participants were recruited; of which; 54.5 and 45.5 were males and females respectively. Mean (standard deviation) age and body mass index (BMI) were 40.6 (14.3) years and 25.3 (5.1) kg/m 2 . Obesity; overweight; and underweight were found in 17; 31; and 5 of participants respectively. Significantly; while underweight declined with increasing age; overweight; and obesity increased to peak in the middle age brackets. Age of ? 40 years was found to confer about twice the risk of becoming overweight. The prevalence of obesity and mean BMI were significantly higher both among the females and the participants from southern zones. Conclusion: Obesity and overweight are common in our urban dwellers with accompanying regional differences. Attainment of middle age increases the likelihood of urban dwelling Nigerians to become overweight/obese. There is therefore the need to institute measures that will check development of overweight/obesity early enough; while improving the nutritional status of the few who may still be undernourished

Socio-economic and demographic factors related to HIV status in urban informal settlements in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

The prevalence of HIVetAIDS is embedded in social and economic inequity and the relationship between social determinants and HIV incidence is well established. The aim of this study was to determine which socio-economic and demographic factors are related to HIV status in the age group 18 to 49 years in informal settlements in the Eastern Cape; South Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 informal settlements (n = 752) during March 2013 within the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City districts. A proportional cluster sample was selected and stratified by area and formal plot/squatter households in open areas. Respondents who volunteered to participate had to provide informed written consent before trained; bilingual peer educators interviewed them and completed the structured questionnaire. HIV status was determined and information on demographic and socio-economic variables was included in the bivariate analysis. The prevalence of HIV was higher; at 17.3; than the 2011 estimated national prevalence among the general population in South Africa. The level of education (?2 = 5.50; df = 1; p 0.05); geographical site (?2