ABSTRACT
Introduction: The ABO blood group system is unique in immunology and haematology because it is the only system in which antibodies are consistently and predictably present in the serum of normal individuals whose red cells lack the antigens. Several epidemiological studies have reported that the distribution of different ABO blood groups vary markedly among the populations of different geographical areas reflecting racial differences. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the association between ABO blood group and anthropometric indices among apparently healthy young adults of Yoruba ethnicity. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Physiological Sciences and University Health Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between May 2016 to June 2017. Methodology: Eighty apparently healthy young adults who were purposely selected participated in the study after screening for the ABO blood groups following the standard protocol. They were divided into four equal groups; 20 in each of blood groups A, B, AB and O who were age- and sex - matched. The weight (kg) and height (cm) of the participants were measured following standard protocol. Body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were estimated from weight and height using Quetelex and Mosteller formulae respectively. Chi-square was used to compare grouped data while the comparison of means of parameters among the four blood groups was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A p-value of < 0.05 was taken statistically significant. Results: Out of the total 80 participants, 15% were males. The mean ± SD of height(m) of participants with blood groups A, B, O and AB were 1.65 ± 0.06, 1.63 ± 0.08, 1.62 ± 0.08 and 1.63 ± 0.08 (F= 0.349, p= 0.790) respectively. The mean ± SD of weight(kg) of the participants with blood group A,B, O and AB were 56.15 ± 8.71, 56.00 ± 11.21, 57.10 ± 12.73 and 58.05 ± 10.35 (F= 0.154, p= 0.927) respectively. The mean ± SD of BMI in kg/m2 for blood groups A, B, O and AB were 20.74 ± 3.22, 20.86 ± 2.91, 21.79 ± 5.10 and 21.91 ± 4.21 (F= 0.472, p= 0.703) respectively while the mean ± SD of BSA (m2) for blood group A, B, O and AB were 1.60 ± 0.12, 1.59 ± 0.19, 1.60 ± 0.18 and 1.62 ± 0.15 (F= 0.098, p= 0.961) respectively. Conclusion: AB Blood group may be predisposed to metabolic syndrome due to the higher mean of weight, BSA and BMI found in this group.
ABSTRACT
This study examines the knowledge and attitude of female undergraduate students in Nigeria toward STIs/HIV/AIDS pandemic. Quantitative research technique was adopted to examine this objective using University of Lagos female students as study population. The specific research method adopted in the study is cross-sectional survey and total of 200 female students were randomly sampled during the period of data collection. Results of the study reveal that 75.0 percent of respondents are sexually active and many of them have multiple sexual partners. Consequently; about 10.5 percent of the sampled female students have contracted at least one form of STIs or the other. There is a significant association between current marital status of the female students and contraction of STIs at P 0.01. Specifically; 33.3of separated female students have ever contracted at least one form of STDs compared with 7.5 percent among single female students. In addition; there is a significant association between level of study and contraction of STDs by female students at P 0.01. In particular; 60.0 percent of extra-years students reported that they have ever contracted STDs compared with 16.7 percent among 100-200 female students. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS pandemic is 100.0 percent and the students were able to mention the three main routes of contracting HIV infection. Responses on the perception of female students about HIV/AIDS show that about 81.0 percent belief that HIV/AIDS is actually in existence; but 19.0 percent stated that it is not real. In addition; 34.0 percent of the respondents argued that HIV/AIDS is curable. Information on practice of safe sex among sexually active students reveals that only 41.0 percent of them are using condom regularly during sexual intercourse. This shows that many of the sexually active undergraduate female students in Nigeria are highly vulnerable to the contraction of STIs/HIV. In conclusion; more effort should be put together to educate students of higher institutions in Nigeria about STIs/HIV/AIDS epidemic. This will remove erroneous belief about the disease and also encourage safe sex among them
Subject(s)
HIV , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Attitude , Knowledge , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Students , Universities , WomenABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To provide information on the prevalence of visual impairment, blindness and the leading causes of visual changes among the elderly in Ife-Ijesha zone of Osun state in Nigeria. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive community based study. METHODS: All people aged 60 years or older were gathered at various centres in Ife-Ijesha zone of Osun State, Nigeria. They were all screened for various medical problems including eye ailments and blindness according to World Health Organisation (WHO) definition. Information was retrieved and clinical examination conducted by the ophthalmologist in the team. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: Out of the 681 elderly who presented for medical check up, 445 had eye problems. A few 25 (5.6%) were bilaterally blind while 202 (45.4%) were visually impaired according to the WHO definition of blindness and visual impairment. Blindness was twice as common in men as in women and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001). Cataract (42.3%), glaucoma (32.4%) and uncorrected aphakia (9.9%) were the leading causes of blindness in 69 eyes while 80% of visual impairment was due to cataract alone. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in this study population is high. These findings in a community where most of the elderly are fast losing traditionally accorded attention due to civilization and urban movement call for a great concern.