ABSTRACT
This study analyses the problems associated with compliance to treatment among type 2 diabetic patients attending the out-patient clinic in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. It also determines the extent to which patients comply with medications and understand blood sugar control. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires from 30 randomly selected subjects. An analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that 30% of the respondents were aged between 40 and 50 years, 63% were married, and 37% had secondary education. Those with a duration of diabetes of more than 5 years totalled 30%. 43% reported on understanding of good glycaemic control, while 33% defaulted in taking medications. Also, 37% agreed that medications should be stopped when they are feeling well, while 40% agreed that compliance was associated with fear of hypoglycaemia. It is important to explore the precursors to treatment adherence behaviour and to carry out interventions that can change negative attitudes toward treatment compliance and promote medical knowledge, which may help improve compliance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Subject(s)
/diagnosis , /therapy , Nigeria , Patient Compliance , Tertiary HealthcareABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the effect of ethanol extract of Spondias mombin Linn on membrane potential energy, the intracellular and extracellular concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in an easily accessible model cell, erythrocyte, was studied. The effect on the first approximation estimates of erythrocytic free energy changes (ΔG) was calculated. Study Design: Randomized study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria between January 2010 and February 2011). Methodology: Twenty-five female albino rabbits (1.47 ± 0.17 kg) of the same age set were divided into 5 groups of 5 animals. The first group served as the baseline control, the groups II and III animals were intraperitoneally administered 1ml of 750 mg/kg body weight of S. mombin extract daily for 7 and 14 days respectively, while groups IV and V animals were intraperitoneally administered 1ml of 0.14 IU/kg body weight of oxytocin drug ((Pitocin®, USA) daily for 7 and 14 days respectively. Plasma and lyzed red blood cells obtained were analyzed for extracellular and intracellular erythrocyte concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium using standard methods. Results: The study showed that both the extract and oxytocin administrations significantly (p<0.05) reduced intracellular [Mg2+] and extracellular [K+] and [Ca2+], with a concomitant increase in intracellular [Ca2+]. Both treatment with the extract and oxytocin, did not significantly (p>0.05) alter [Na+] and extracellular [Mg2+]. On the other hand, while the extract did not affect intracellular [K+], oxytocin significantly (p<0.05) reduced it. The results also indicated that while the extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the [K+]-based estimated ΔG, oxytocin treatment reduced it. On the other hand, both the extract and oxytocin caused a non-significant (p>0.05) drop in the Ca2+ based ΔG, with no significant (p>0.05) alteration of the [Na+] and [Mg2+] based estimated ΔG. The pole reversa observed with the study of the Ca2+-based ΔG indicates depressive effect of both the extract and oxytocin on Ca2+ ATPase pump. Conclusion: The observations above indicate that, while the use of the extract might enhance energy generation and conservation, the use of oxytocin might elicit exhaustive utilization of energy.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The study was designed: (i) to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites; (ii) to determine the relationship between parasitaemia and age/sex; (iii) to correlate the PCV levels with parasitaemia; and (iv) to determine the influence of protection against natural transmission on the prevalence of malaria. Methods: Participants were recruited at the Plateau State Human Virology Research Laboratory (PLASVIREC), Robert Gallo House at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos and grouped into: (i) Malaria and HIV co-infection group (n = 64); and (ii) HIV infected group without concurrent malaria infection (n = 136). Standard laboratory procedures were used for the HIV and Plasmodium parasites screening, malaria parasite density, and packed cell volume. Results: The results showed a significant difference (p <0.05) among the sexes and age groups. About 64 (32%) of the individuals had Plasmodium infection (30% Plasmodium falciparum, 0.5% P. malariae, and 1.5% mixed infections of P. falciparum and P. malariae). Malaria parasites were more common among the rural dwellers and in the age group of 21–30 yr. Regression analysis showed a negative association of malaria parasitaemia and PCV among the malaria–HIV positive and malaria-HIV negative (r2 = 0.529; p <0.001). Interpretation & conclusion: In the present study, PCV might be of useful indicator and if not monitored could lead to AIDS establishment especially where high malaria parasitaemia is noted. The findings further suggest that the defined stage of HIV infection in the study, malaria coinfection may moderate the impact of HIV infection on PCV.