ABSTRACT
Background:The impact of gas flaring in Ubeji metropolis, relative to other communities of Delta is of interest. This study assessed the environmental impact of gas flaring in Ubeji metropolis of Delta State. The objective of this study is to study the comparative assessment of the environmental impacts of gas flaring on five communities of unequal distance from gas flaring site. Methods:Questionnaire survey was used to evaluate three research questions that included the level of knowledge in the survey communities regarding health impact of gas flaring; prevalence level of assessed health conditions in Ubeji metropolis relative to communities farther from or nearer to Warri gas flaring site; and perceived impact of gas flaring on air quality indicated by health and environmental toxicity indices.Results:Descriptive evaluation of data shows Ubeji appears to have the highest proportion of persons suffering respiratory problems, but the figure for family members is less than some other communities. The respondents nearer flaring site show more awareness compared to those farther away. Critical evaluation showed no directional change in prevalence of disease linked to gas flaring. There is linear relationship between „distance to gas flare site‟ and „toxic impact on air quality‟.Conclusions:This report submits further data to the discourse that, on the basis of nearness to gas flaring site, there is significant difference between communities experience of environmental and health impact.
ABSTRACT
Background: Factors influencing acceptance of cervical cancer services are being investigated, and widely reported to be quite low. However, there is dearth of research investigation on the odds of women’s acceptance of this gynaecological service. Objective of this study was to investigates the odds of unwilling to accept cervical cancer services.Methods: The study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey and fourth piece in a series of analysis. Details of data collection are as previously described. Odds ratio was determined using online calculator; and based on proportion of respondents who have accepted the cervical cancer service, willing to complete an incomplete process and encourage others to take up the procedure.Results: The percentage of respondents who indicated no problem with HPV vaccination (55%) is higher than cervical screening (53%), but not statistically significantly different. On average, unwillingness to vaccinate later, complete their vaccinations or encourage their daughter are one-third of those who vaccinated. Those unwilling to take up cervical screening, encourage others to screen or overcome their fears are more than (161%) the subgroup who have been screened. Results show odds of unwillingness for both procedures are less than 1, but a little greater for cervical screening.Conclusions: It has been articulated that the likelihood to take up cervical cancer services will be influenced by the beliefs. This report advances that observed low acceptance level does not translate to high likelihood of unwillingness to accept the gynaecological services. Belief and nature of work of women need to be concertedly investigated.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the top two cancers affecting Nigerian women. This has created impetus to investigate the situation. This third of a four-part series seeks to evaluate perception, acceptance and psychosocial factors of cervical screening among women who are gainfully employed in the State’s civil service within Delta State Secretariat.Methods: Based on cross-sectional descriptive survey using a structured questionnaire and ‘N=285’ participants. Statistical analysis assessed percentage proportions of respondents; as well as absolute and relative frequencies of the factors associated with acceptance of screening. Chi-squared analysis was based on no/yes response to have done cervical screening.Results: About 10% of respondents have undergone cervical screening. 16% of the lowest income earners have done the screening, compared to 8% and 10% of the mid income and high income group, respectively. Nature of work implying time constraints was an absolute factor. Knowledge of what cervical cancer is; the causes; how to detect and prevent it are significantly associated (p <0.01), while accessibility, fear of adverse effect and attitude of healthcare workers were significant psychosocial factors (p 0.01).Conclusions: This report affirms nature of work and accessibility as two of four major factors influencing acceptance of cervical screening among working class women in Delta State secretariat. It is hereby suggested to expound sites of cervical service programs.
ABSTRACT
Background: The importance of cervical screening and HPV vaccination cannot be overemphasized. Yet, the level of uptake of HPV vaccination has never been evaluated among Secretariat personnel in Delta State of Nigeria. This part-of-four piece of study aimed to identify the barriers to the acceptance of HPV vaccination in Delta State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey method was adopted using a structured questionnaire. 285 participants were included. The structured questionnaire included questions on acceptance of HPV vaccination and the factors influencing acceptability. Statistical analysis included percentage proportions of respondents. Absolute and relative frequencies of the factors were also determined. Chi-squared analysis was performed based on dichotomy of participants based on yes/no response to being vaccinated.Results: Less than 8% of respondents have completed the HPV vaccination program. Low income earners have accepted the vaccination more than the high income group (p <0.003). Nature of work implying time constraints was an absolute factor. Accessibility is one of four factors that were significantly associated (p <0.002).Conclusions: Given the observation on nature of work and associated implication of time constraints and also inaccessibility as potentially major factors; it suffices to suggest that acceptance of HPV vaccination may be improved by expounding the days and sites of vaccination programs to be closer to the offices and scheduled around lunch-break times.
ABSTRACT
Background: Delta state of Nigeria is a typical micro-world of multicultural values and religious beliefs as well as socioeconomic strata that could impact on the uptake of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. Yet, the demographics of women in conjunction with knowledge and perception of cervical cancer screening have not been surveyed. This study aimed to assess the demographics of civil service women servants in Delta State and their knowledge regarding cervical cancer.Methods: The study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of female civil servants in the states’ capital city of Asaba. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on eight demographic factors (age, educational level, ethnicity, income level, marital status, number of children, religion and workplace); as well as information on knowledge of cervical. Percentage proportions of respondents were assessed for the eight demographic factors. Absolute frequencies of affirmative responses to the questions on knowledge were evaluation. Hypothesis was tested for statistical significance of the demographic variables.Results: Analysis of the respondents (N=285) show that virtually all participants have heard of cervical cancer and knows that sexual promiscuity is a risk of the health condition. Only less than 5% of them attribute healthcare workers as their source of knowledge. Except age and marital status, every demographic variable is significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Demographics of women are significant in terms of potential factors that could influence the uptake of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening.
ABSTRACT
The national institute of health on aging has made research funding calls for basic, clinical and epidemiological studies into the increased vulnerability of older adults to diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular complications. One of the indicated outcomes is the impact of age on diagnosis and management of the disease co-morbidity, including elucidation of the role of aging mechanisms that underlie the increased vulnerability of older adults. A cursory review of literature reveals that although there is information about aging and oxidative stress, little has been validated for adoption in the context of pathology-based evidence. Therefore, the objective of this hypothesis paper is to revisit the topic of ‘biochemical basis of metabolism’ in aging and diseases. The concepts of ‘aging-induced oxidative stress’ and ‘antioxidant-vitamins’ basis of diabetes progression’ are briefly linked to propose that increase in oxidative damage is a potential additive outcome underlying increased vulnerability of older adults to diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular complications. Further, the prospect of oxidative damage indices is re-presented as a hypothesis for validation to provide pathology evidence-based guidance to seek appropriate clinical laboratory criteria. The validation process would delineate reference values in vulnerable older adults relative to young and middle aged groups with a view to enable assessment, management and monitoring by diagnostic methods.