A Controlled study of effect of counseling on psychological symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, Nigeria

Psychological symptoms are common complications of HIV/AIDS. More often; decision making during management neglects the use of counseling; a common but important therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS. The increasing morbidity due to maladjustment to supportive care often results in poor quality of life. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of counseling in people living with HIV/AIDS and compare the levels of anxiety and depression in them. Four hundred and twenty newly diagnosed persons living with HIV/AIDS referred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in January 2007 were randomly divided into two groups; 1 and 2. Group 1 was instantly assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression; using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); while; Group 2 was assessed one month later after undergoing intensive counseling. A total of 392 respondents; consisting of 210 in group 1 and 182 in group 2 were analyzed; 28 (13.3) respondents in group 2 defaulted from the clinic and were excluded from the study. The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents in both groups were similar. Majority; 162 (77.1) respondents in group 1 and 137 (58.8) in group 2 aged between 20-49 years. Although; anxiety and depression were markedly reduced in 137 (34.9) and 35 (19.2) respondents in group 2 with counseling compared to 199 (50.8) and 90 (42.8) respondents in group 1 without counseling; the demographic variables of the respondents did not influence the level of anxiety and depression. However; depression was high in 24 (54.9) respondents in group 2 who had counseling and were unemployed; depression was associated with occupation (P0.04). Counseling reduces psychological symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore its use should be encouraged in people living with the disease to boost self-esteem needed for improved quality of life

Seasonal variation in admission for heart failure, hypertension and stroke in Uyo, south-eastern Nigeria

Background:Seasonal variation in hospitalization for cardiovascular disease has been described in thetemperate regions of the world as well as in Northern Nigeria. Increase admission rates during the coldseasons have been reported in these areas. No studies have been done in Southern Nigeria. This studyis thus aimed at describing the seasonal variation in admissions for heart failure, uncontrolledhypertension and hypertension related-stroke in Southern Nigeria.Methods:Hospital records of patients admitted to the medical wards of the University of Uyo Hospital(UUTH) with heart failure of all causes, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension­related stroke(Cerebrovascular accident) between January 1998 and December 2001 were used. Epi-Info 2002software was used to analyze data.Results:Of the 3500 patients admitted during the study period 542 (15.3%) were on account of heartfailure, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension related cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The meanage of patients was 52±12.8 years. The average monthly admission was eleven (11). More admissionswere recorded in the rainy (cold) season than in the dry (hot) season. The observed difference washowever statistically significant only for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension (P<.05).Conclusion:Admissions for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension are therefore more during thewet (cold) season in southern Nigeria. This may be attributed to the high default rate to follow up visitin this season when agriculturalactivity is intense and less attention given to medical care. This leads topoor compliance to medications and clinical deterioration. The already bad road network both in ruraland urban centers also become worse at this time making access to medical care difficult. Facilities andmeasures should thus be put in place to provide adequate medical care for these patients during thatperiod of the yea

Prevalence and Pattern of Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Adult Nigerians with Primary Hypertension

Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus relate to one another aetiologically and prognostically. Studies show that hypertension occurs frequently in diabetics than non-diabetics. Data on the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in hypertensive Nigerians are scanty. This study assesses the magnitude of this problem in adult Nigerians with primary hypertension. Method: Oral glucose tolerance test was performed on 124 adult Nigerians (64hypertensives; 60normotensives) to determine the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance. Body mass index and waist circumference were measured. Plasma glucose was analyzed by the glucose oxidase method. Results: The hypertensive(32 males;32females) and normotensive (30males; 30females) had mean ages of 47.6+/-10.1years and 44.2+/-7.6years.The mean body mass index and waist circumference of hypertensives and normotensives were 30.2+/-80kg/m;100.8+/-17.2cm and28.5kg/m;88.5+/-14.1cm. The mean plasma glucose in mmols/l; during oral glucose tolerance test of hypertensives and normotensives; at 0hr; 1hr and 2hrs were;4.79+/-0.99;6.94+/-1.5;5.96+/-1.82 and4.42+/-0.90;6.25+/-1.02;5.05++/-1.8 respectively. The response to glucose load was significantly higher in the hypertensives than normotensives particularly at 2hours p

Prevalence and Pattern of Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Adult Nigerians with Primary Hypertension

Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus relate to one another aetiologically and prognostically. Studies show that hypertension occurs frequently in diabetics than non-diabetics. Data on the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in hypertensive Nigerians are scanty. This study assesses the magnitude of this problem in adult Nigerians with primary hypertension. Method: Oral glucose tolerance test was performed on 124 adult Nigerians (64hypertensives; 60normotensives) to determine the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance. Body mass index and waist circumference were measured. Plasma glucose was analyzed by the glucose oxidase method. Results: The hypertensive(32 males;32females) and normotensive (30males; 30females) had mean ages of 47.6+/-10.1years and 44.2+/-7.6years.The mean body mass index and waist circumference of hypertensives and normotensives were 30.2+/-80kg/m;100.8+/-17.2cm and28.5kg/m;88.5+/-14.1cm. The mean plasma glucose in mmols/l; during oral glucose tolerance test of hypertensives and normotensives; at 0hr; 1hr and 2hrs were;4.79+/-0.99;6.94+/-1.5;5.96+/-1.82 and4.42+/-0.90;6.25+/-1.02;5.05++/-1.8 respectively. The response to glucose load was significantly higher in the hypertensives than normotensives particularly at 2hours p