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1.
The Nigerian Health Journal ; 23(3): 717-733, 2023. figures, tables
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1518991

ABSTRACT

Background: Environmental exposure to toxins has been strongly implicated in its multi-faceted etiology of chronic kidney disease, a serious public health problem affecting individuals, families, and communities. There is a need to synthesize available studies on the effect of heavy metal exposure on renal function, considering the rising global burden of kidney disease. The objective of this study is to determine the association between exposure to heavy metals and renal disease. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used to conduct the review. A comprehensive independent search, title, abstract, and full-text screening of available literature on Google Scholar, PubMed, and OAREScience was done between March 2021 and May 2021. The criteria for study inclusion were full-text articles published in English language in the last 20 years (2001-2020), and observational primary human studies reporting the association between heavy metal exposure and renal disease. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Results: A total of 552 studies were identified following the search from the different databases. A total of 13 studies were finally included in the review. Heavy metals implicated in the studies include cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, with ten studies showing environmental exposure as the primary source. Ten (10) studies showed an association between heavy metal exposure and renal impairment (p<0.05) while only 3 studies reported no association. Conclusion: Environmental monitoring is needed to stem the tide of heavy metal exposure in view of the growing burden of chronic kidney disease.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Metals, Heavy , Environmental Exposure , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Systematic Review
2.
Article | IMSEAR | ID: sea-210138

ABSTRACT

Background:Safety and health management are some of the vital constituents of oil and gas industry activities, because most of the operational conditions, chemicals and end products associated with oil and gas production are well-known to pose serious safety and health threats to the workers. However, these hazards can be prevented and controlled with good safety practices. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices of workers in the downstream petroleum companies about occupational hazards and safety processes.Materials and Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which involved a quantitative approach to collect data from 379 technical workers engaged in operationsin the selected downstream petroleum companies, sampled via multi-stage sampling technique. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Data was analysed via Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software.Original Research Article Results:Almost one-third 120(32.0%) of the respondents were between the ages of 38-43years old. Majority 343(91.0%) were males, while most 277(73.0%) were single. Majority 363(95.8%) had goodLevel of knowledge on occupational Hazard, while 359(94.7%) of the respondents had good Level of knowledge on safety measure on occupational hazard. More than one-third 139(36.70%) had positive behaviour towards preventive measures for occupational hazard, while 167(44%) had good practice towards Safety measures for occupational hazard. Level of knowledge on occupational hazard was significantly associated age, sex and religion (p<0.05). Conclusion:Though most of the respondents were knowledgeable about occupational hazard and safety measures, positive behaviour towards safety measure and its practice was low among workers in the downstream petroleum companies. Hence the need for behavioural interventional programmes directed at ensuring positive occupational safety related behaviour among workers generally and those in industrial settings particularly

3.
Br J Med Med Res ; 2016; 17(1):1-10
Article in English | IMSEAR | ID: sea-183452

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of contraceptive uptake among women of reproductive age in semi-urban communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. The information will be useful in reordering priorities and strategies for family planning interventions in the state. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional, household-based study, employing a cluster sampling technique proportionate to size, to recruit eligible participants. Study Location: The study was carried out in September 2013 in five contiguous communities located at the fringes of the Port Harcourt city. Methodology: Anonymous questionnaires were administered to 772 women of reproductive age normally resident in these five communities. Visitors were excluded. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software package. The Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between contraceptive use and demographic and socioeconomic variables, while Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of contraceptive uptake. The level of statistical significance was set at p= .05. Results: A total of 772 women aged (15-49) years participated in the study and 731 (94.7%) knew about modern contraceptives and their benefits. Young age (15-34 years old), (χ2= 12.7, df = 3, p= .01) and being single, (χ2=16.270, df=3, p < .01) were significantly associated with contraceptive usage. Younger women had six times higher odds of contraceptive usage than older women; [O.R (95% C. I) = 5.97 (1.56-22.90) and 5.96 (1.63 -21.71)], and women with contraceptive knowledge had 19% higher odds of usage than contraceptive naïve women [O.R (95% C. I) = 0.19 (0.09-0.40)]. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of young age and knowledge about contraceptives in promoting its acceptance among women. We therefore advocate for an early introduction of curriculum-based family planning education in schools, local media campaigns and peer education to create more awareness about contraceptives.

4.
Br J Med Med Res ; 2016; 13(7): 1-9
Article in English | IMSEAR | ID: sea-182587

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate the sexual practices of undergraduate university students in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in order to provide evidence for appropriate interventions. Study Design: A multi-stage random sampling design and stratified sampling proportionate to size was used to select study participants. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in four out of the 18 public universities in the region between October and December 2013. Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 828 students selected from four faculties and eight departments of the universities. Married students and those from departments of medical and health sciences were excluded. Data was analyzed using Epi Info ver. 6.04d software package. The Chi-square test was performed at 95% confidence level and p-value set at P=.05. Results: A total of 391(47.2%) males and 437 (52.8%) females participated in the study. The majority of the students 444(53.6%) were in sexual relationships: 150 (33.8%) males and 294 (66.2%) females. Of these, 358 (80.6%) had had an HIV test and knew their HIV status: males 125 (34.9%) and females 233 (65.1%), but only 280(63.1%) had knowledge of the HIV status of their sexual partners: males 93(33.2%) and females 187 (66.8%). More females than males knew their HIV status and those of their sex partners (p=.00). Similarly, only 216(48.6%) used condoms in their last casual sex, while only 145(32.7%) used condoms consistently with a non-regular partner: males 71(49.0%) and females 74(51.0%) respectively. Finally, less than half of the students 216(48.6%) were consistent with safer sex negotiation with their partners. Conclusion: The study highlights the occurrence of high sexual risk behaviours among undergraduate university students. We advocate the inclusion of sexuality education in the General Studies curriculum for students and the provision of accessible Sexually Transmitted Infection services through youth-friendly channels, like Youth Friendly Centres.

5.
Article in English | IMSEAR | ID: sea-166888

ABSTRACT

Aims: Non-adherence to treatment represents a significant challenge to anti-retroviral treatment goals. This study aimed to identify and explore perceived barriers to adherence in non-adherent HIV patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Study Design: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of HAART experienced patients who had less than 95% adherence to their HAART medication. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between May and June 2011 at the Antiretroviral treatment center of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in the Southern part of Nigeria Methodology: Data collection was via quantitative and qualitative methods. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire adapted from the Adult Antiretroviral Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) study was used to identify barriers to adherence. In addition, four focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 27 purposively selected participants. Quantitative data was analyzed with SPSS version 18, while the FGDs were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Ninety-six (96) patients, 39 (40.6%) males and 57 (59.4%) females with median age of 35.5 years participated in the study. Identified barriers to adherence included; being away from home during medication times 41 (42.7%), being busy with other things 35 (36.5%), forgetfulness 33 (34.4%), running out of pills 25 (26%), difficulty taking pills at specified times 25 (26.0%), the need to avoid side effects 16 (16.7%), and lack of a social support system 15 (15.6%). Barriers identified by the FGDs were fear of taking HIV drugs in front of others, sharing drugs with infected spouse, alcohol use, financial challenges, poor understanding about the effects of the drugs, forgetfulness, long clinic hours and poor attitude of health workers. Conclusion: Adherence counseling, use of reminder systems and treatment supporters are useful Public Health interventions for improving adherence and should be integrated into service delivery at this and other centers. In addition, better organization of the clinic, increasing staff strength and training will go a long way to address these barriers. Decentralization of HIV treatment centers to secondary and primary health facilities needs consideration.

6.
IJPM-International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2013; 4 (1): 63-71
in English | IMEMR | ID: emr-140637

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the level of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy [IPTp] in Rivers State, Nigeria, to identify obstacles prohibiting utilization in order to make recommendations for improved uptake and malaria control in general. A cross-sectional study was carried out in November 2008 among 339 pregnant women and those who had delivered children in the last 1 year, using a multistage sampling method. Data were analyzed using the Epi-Info version 6.04d statistical software package and hypothesis tests were conducted to compare summary statistics at 95% significance level. Most of the respondents [76.4%] had knowledge that malaria was caused by mosquitoes and was harmful in pregnancy. Although majority of the pregnant women [80.8%] attended antenatal care clinics, knowledge of the correct use of SP was low [32.6%] and only 62.8% took malaria preventive treatment. Of these, 58.4% took SP, while nearly a third, 31.8%, took chloroquine. Only 16.4% took their SP at the health facility directly observed by health workers according to the national guidelines. The commonest reason for not preventing malaria was that they were not sick during the period of pregnancy. Misconceptions about IPTp persist among women known to have attended antenatal care clinics, resulting in only a minority of pregnant women receiving IPTp as recommended by national guidelines. Efforts directed at awareness creation on the new malaria prevention and treatment policy are therefore necessary to enhance the uptake of IPT in pregnancy in Rivers State. Further studies are however, needed to evaluate the knowledge and practices of health care workers on the new malaria treatment policy

7.
J Vector Borne Dis ; 2011 Sept; 48(3): 133-137
Article in English | IMSEAR | ID: sea-142782

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Malaria presents a huge health and economic burden to families living in malaria endemic areas. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is one of the global strategies in decreasing the malaria burden on vulnerable populations. The use of ITNs reduces clinical malaria by over 50% and all cause mortality in children by 15–30% when the overall population coverage is >70%. This study was aimed at establishing the level of household insecticide-treated bednet ownership and utilization in Rivers State, Nigeria before a statewide scale-up distribution campaign. Study design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in the Rivers State in November 2008 among household heads or their proxies to serve as a pre-intervention baseline for the scale-up distribution of insecticide treated bednets in the state. The households were selected by a multi-staged sampling technique: first stage being the selection of Local Government Areas (LGAs) from Senatorial districts, second stage the selection of communities from LGAs and final stage the selection of households. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO/FMoH and analyzed using the Epi-Info version 6.04d statistical software package. Hypothesis tests were conducted to compare summary statistics at 95% significance level. Results: A total of 811 household heads or their proxies were interviewed. Their age ranged between 20 and 70 yr, with a mean of 47.96 ± 4.39 yr. The study showed that although 552 (68.1%) of the households owned bednets, only 245 (30.2%, 95% CI=27.1–33.5) of them owned long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). Similarly, only 37.2% of those who owned ITNs slept under them the night preceding the survey. Conclusion: Household ITN ownership and utilization were low in the state. Incorporating behavour change communication package as part of the ITN distribution intervention is advocated to increase ITNs utilization in the state.

8.
port harcourt med. J ; 4(2): 128-134, 2010. tab
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1274123

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypertension is the commonest non-communicable disease with variable prevalence rates in different parts of the world. Dyslipidaemia is associated with and predisposes to hypertension and hence increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim: To determine the lipid profile in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and compare them with age, sex and body mass index (BMI) of matched healthy non-hypertensive controls. Methods: A prospective descriptive study of newly diagnosed and treatment naive hypertensive patients. Healthy non-hypertensive adult Nigerians, who gave informed consent, consisting mainly of hospital staff and relatives of patients, matched for sex, age and BMI were recruited as controls. Results: A total of 89 patients, 42 females and 47 males and 87 healthy adults matched for age, sex, and body size were recruited as controls. Mean age of hypertensive subjects was 42.6±9.3 years and mean age for the control subjects was 41.5±4.5 years. The mean systolic blood pressure in the hypertensive subjects was 177.6±20.1 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 110.9 ±9.9 mmHg. The mean BMI in the hypertensive patients was 28.7±4.2 kg/m2, while the controls had mean BMI of 28.2±4.0 kg/m2 (P=0.5178). The mean total cholesterol (TCH) was 5.3±1.1 mmol/l in the study subjects and 4.7±0.95 mmol/l in the controls (P =0.0002). The mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol 250 in the study subjects was 4.3±1.1 mmol/l and 3.6±0.9 mmol/l in the control group (P=0.000054), while the mean triglyceride in the subjects was 1.3±0.3 mmol/l and 1.0±0.3 mmol/l in the controls (P=0.0000). Conclusion: Newly diagnosed hypertensives have significantly higher serum cholesterol levels than non-hypertensives of comparable age, sex and body size


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Hypertension , Lipids , Nigeria
9.
port harcourt med. J ; 4(1): 35-39, 2009.
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1274117

ABSTRACT

Background: The HIV prevalence rate in Rivers State was low at onset; but increased progressively; often exceeding the National average since 2001. However; there has been a reported decline in the prevalence in Nigeria and elsewhere with wide local and zonal differences. Aim: To assess the HIV sero-prevalence among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt; Rivers State. Methods: Hospital records of all pregnant women who registered and attended the antenatal clinic from 2nd January 2005 to 31st December 2007 and were screened for HIV infection at the Haematology laboratory were retrieved and analysed using Epi-Info version 6.04d. Results: A total of 9;869 ANC attendees were screened for HIV infection at the Hospital. The prevalence rates were 4.8in 2005; 5.4in 2006 and 5.3in 2007. The pattern of infection showed that the highest prevalence rate of 5.6was found among the youngest age group (15- 24 years); clients with only primary education (8.5); and skilled workers (7.3) (p= 0.000). Conclusion: HIV infection is still in its epidemic phase in Rivers State unlike in other areas in the country where declines have set in. Caution is therefore required in extending the emerging declines in prevalence rates elsewhere to Rivers State; so that the existing political will and commitment in control efforts in the State are not weakened; if the State wishes to experience a sustained decline in prevalence rate in the foreseeable future


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Pregnant Women , Prevalence , Review
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