ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of religious practices and diet doctrines on obesity and hypertension among Pentecostal and orthodox Christians in the Tamale metropolis. Study Design: This study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between January and June 2014, at the Tamale metropolis, Ghana. Methodology: Three hundred (300) Ghanaian subjects (50.3% Pentecostal participants from the Perez Chapel International and the Church of Pentecost and 49.7% Orthodox participants from the Presbyterian Church and Bethel Methodist Church), 18-72 years of age were recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, waist and hip circumference as well as blood pressure were measured for each of the study participants. Results: The male participants were taller, heavier with higher mean WHR as well as higher mean SBP as compared to the female participants. The females however, had broader hips as compared to the male participants. The males were more likely to fully comply with the religious prescription on fasting (52.6% vs. 40.7%; p = 0.0397) and diet (30.8% vs. 20.4%; p = 0.0375) as compared to the female. The prevalence of obesity among the population in this study ranged from 17% to 28% depending on the criteria used in the weight classification (i.e. BMI, WHR and WC) and the prevalence of hypertension was 15.0% with no significant difference between both genders. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant increase in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among both males and female populations, with obesity being more prevalent among females. Compliance to religious doctrines on fasting and or diet does not have an impact on the prevalence of obesity and hypertension from this study.
ABSTRACT
"Background: Pharmacogenomics/pharmacogenetics has the potential to mitigate adverse drug reactions and optimize pharmacotherapy in individuals. Over the past several years; there has been increasing attention towards the characterization of pharmacogenomic biomarkers in African populations; both locally and internationally. However; the perceptions of the African health care community towards pharmacogenomic testing have not been studied. Objectives: To assess knowledge and perceptions of pharmacogenomics among health care professionals in Benin City; Nigeria. Methods: In this preliminary and pilot investigation; we used a semi-structured qualitative survey methodology to understand the perceptions of pharmacists and pharmacologists towards pharmacogenomics in an academic care centre in Benin City; Nigeria. Three themes were explored: Knowledge and experience with pharmacogenetics; Expectations about how a pharmacogenetic testing service could be used; and Capacity building for pharmacogenetic service delivery.Results: Though none of the participants had received training or undertaken research in pharmaco-genomics; all participants were familiar with the field and listed beneficial outcomes associated with pharmacogenetic testing. Participants identified factors such as lack of funding; infrastructure; and manpower for limitations of pharmacogenomic testing in Nigeria. Participants listed numerous ethical issues and concerns in recruiting participants for research and introducing pharmacogenetics in the clinic; including the need to ""win the confidence of the people."" Conclusion: Pharmacists and pharmacologists in an academic centre in Nigeria are aware of the benefits of pharmacogenomics; but cite many hurdles to overcome before this field can become a routine part of patient care in their communities."