ABSTRACT
In recent years the role of plasma fibrinogen as an independent cardiovascular risk factor has been increasingly recognized. Most of the studies on the relationship between plasma fibrinogen and cardiovascular risk have been in men; with that in women less investigated. Haemostatic and endothelial function in relation to thrombogenesis and CHD may be particularly important in women because women with myocardial infarction and angina chest pain are more often free of angiographically visualized coronary atherosclerosis than are men. This study was to establish the plasma fibrinogen level of adult women seen in the Outpatient Clinic. One hundred non-pregnant women attending the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) aged between 18-90 years who met the inclusion criteria and gave informed consent were recruited into the study. Each subject had 4.5mls of venous blood sample collected by vene-puncture using a plastic syringe. This was transferred into a tube containing 0.5ml of trisodium citrate (10:1 dilution); this was centrifuged immediately and plasma analysed for fibrinogen concentration by the modified Clauss technique. Comparison between pre-menopausal; peri-menopausal and post-menopausal groups was done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by student's t-test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. The fibrinogen concentration (mg/dl) were 257+44; 315+40 and 579+99 for pre-menopausal; peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women respectively (p0.05). ANOVA showed a Critical F-ratio 3.07; calculated df ratio was 220 (p0.05). Collorary to the ANOVA; student t-test of 1.7 (p0.05) between pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women; pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women 6.2 (p0.05); and peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women 3.5 (0.05). The critical range for student t-test was 12.7; while calculated t ratio was less. The foregoing findings raise a serious concern for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) using estrogens in women with severe symptoms of menopausal syndrome. Although the fattening room practice termed `Nkuho' or `Mbobo' among the Calabar women is on the decline it exposes women of reproductive age to increased cardiovascular risk. It is thus necessary that Primary Care Physicians begin to include plasma fibrinogen estimations as part of cardiovascular risk profiling as a health promotion strategy in all women of reproductive age
Subject(s)
Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases , Fibrinogen , Risk Factors , WomenABSTRACT
Background: Health is defined as a state of complete physical; mental; social and spiritual well being and not just the absence of disease. Domestic violence (synonyms: spouse abuse; partner or intimate violence; family violence) is a public health problem which is defined as any intentional abuse of a family member (mostly females but not exclusive) by his/her partner that causes pain or injury. There is paucity of data on domestic violence mainly because of under-reporting by the victims. However; domestic violence is said to be a more frequent occurrence than other recognized pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia; twin pregnancy or gestational diabetes for which women are routinely screened during the antenatal period. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a local Nigerian mission hospital in Jos; Plateau state. Methods: This was a cross-sectional; descriptive study of women attending antenatal clinic at ECWA Evangel Hospital; Jos over a six month period using the Abuse Assessment Screen developed by McFarlane to detect the prevalence of domestic violence. The data were analysed using Epi Info Version 2002. Results: Three hundred and forty pregnant women were studied. Majority of them were married and were mostly aged between 20 and 39 years. Domestic violence prevalence was 12.6(43) in the current pregnancy and 63.2(215) previously. Conclusion: The study establishes that women in our environment experience domestic violence during pregnancy and majority of them also have a previous history of abuse. There is the need to routinely screen for domestic violence in pregnant women so as to prevent potential adverse pregnancy outcomes and to interrupt existing abuse
Subject(s)
Domestic Violence , Pregnancy Complications , Spouse AbuseABSTRACT
Background: The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of directly observed therapy short course (DOTS) application in a Nigerian rural community.Methods: A retrospective study of all the records of DOTS at the centre from January 2001 to December 2005 was compiled and features such as: age; gender; drugs used; and outcome of treatment (defaulted; cured; died; or developed multidrug resistant-TB) were considered. Also the different personnel and infrastructure at the centre for the programme were also assessed. Results were analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software; and P values 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Two hundred and seventy four (274) cases of pulmonary TB were registered at the centre during the study period; consisting of 100(36.5) females and 174(63.5) males with a statistically significant gender difference (P0.001). The age range with the highest number of pulmonary tuberculosis cases was 31-40 years (24.8; n=68); and the age range with the lowest number was 71 years and above (1.1; n=3). Treatment outcome showed that 84.7(n=232) completed treatment with cure; 2.5(n=7) developed multidrug resistance at completion of treatment; 5.5(n=15) defaulted; 3.3(n=9) died in the course of treatment; and treatment in 11 people was still ongoing. Conclusion: The outcome of DOTS in the present study was impressive; and the programme should be extended to other rural communities; however; more efforts should be made towards the tracing of defaulters