Prevalence of physical activity and dietary patterns as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among semi-urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases globally. Limited studies have assessed the prevalence of these risk factors in community-based settings in Nigeria. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of physical activity and the dietary pattern of residents in selected semi-urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 500 randomly selected residents from two semi-urban communities. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select households and participants. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of the WHO STEPS instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were determined at 5% level of significance. Results: The mean age was 35.36 ± 12.24 and a mean household size of 4.07 ± 1.85. Majority (87.2%) of the respondents engaged in low physical activity (< 150-300 min/wk). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was low among respondents at 33% and 36.4% respectively. The employment status of respondents was significantly related to expected workplace physical activity level (χ2=11.27; P=0.024). Conclusions: This study highlights the need for the development and implementation of community-driven, multi-layered public health promotion initiatives across different settings

Assessment of Vitamin C Deficiency among Population in Semi Urban Area: A Hospital Based Study

Background: India has made tremendous progress in allfronts since independence including food production. Scurvy isa clinical syndrome that results from vitamin C deficiency.Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessingVitamin C Deficiency among Population in Semi Urban Area.Materials & Methods: The net semi-urban population in thepresent study was 796 patients. After obtaining the writtenconsent in these patients, blood samples were taken and weresent to the department of general pathology. From the bloodsamples, plasma concentrations of vitamin C were calculatedusing an-autoanalyzer. All the results were recorded inMicrosoft excel sheet and were analyzed by SPSS software.Results: A total of 796 semi-urban subjects were analyzed.Among these 796 subjects, deficient levels of vitamin C wasfound to be present in 28.64 percent of the patients, while suboptimal and adequate levels of vitamin C was found to bepresent in 26.64 and 44.72 percent of the patients. Among 228vitamin C deficient subjects, 39.48 percent belonged to the agegroup of more than 45 years. 54.82 percent of the Vitamin Cdeficient patients were males while the remaining werefemales.Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency is prevalent in significant insignificant amount among semi-urban population.

Extension of effective day length and its effect on sleep characteristics due to exposure to mobile phone screen in female students in a semi urban and urban setting

Background: Approximately more than 2.5 billion cell phones are projected for 2017. The blue lightemitted by screens on cell phones, computers, tablets, and televisions restrain the production of melatoninis the hormone that controls the sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm. There is ample evidence that anovel, short-wavelength-sensitive photoreceptor system is primarily responsible for a variety of non-visuallight responses, in particular, resetting the timing of the circadian pacemaker, suppressing melatoninproduction.Methods: The study investigates the effect of exposure to LED backlit screens used in cell phones by 50undergraduate girls of Goa and Mumbai in the age group of 18 to 22. Data was collected using the KristinDehmler Technology usage scale, the Insomnia impact scale, Epworth Sleepiness scale. [Pittsburgh sleepquality index (PSQI)], and sleep-wake behavior [Munich chronotype questionnaire (MCTQ). T-tests andcorrelations using the SPSS to assess differences in the two groups of semi urban and metropolitan girlswere done.Results: The study predicts that this light exposure will extend day length and impact sleep characteristicsin the form of number of awakenings, difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, non-restorative sleepand nighttime restlessness. The endogenous evening rise in melatonin occurred later in the LED-backlightcondition; due to the use of cell phones affected the circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmaticnuclei which most likely received a longer “day” signal, inducing a phase delay.Conclusion: Participants reported higher amounts of nocturnal cell phone use reported spending less timesleeping and poorer sleep quality No significant differences were found between the urban Mumbai groupand the semi urban Goa group..

Afecciones respiratorias por el uso de leña y carbón en comunidades de Paraguay

Introducción: El uso de combustibles sólidos está asociado con más de 4 millones de muertes prematuras anuales en el mundo, especialmente de mujeres y niños. El uso del carbón y la leña son todavía muy prevalentes en Paraguay donde el 21% de la población urbana y 71% de la población rural utilizan estos combustibles para cocinar. Objetivo: Describir el uso de energía en los hogares de dos comunidades en Paraguay, una semi urbana y una rural. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio de tipo descriptivo y de corte transverso que se realizó por medio de una encuesta en 250 casas seleccionadas aleatoriamente. Resultados: El análisis de los datos obtenidos muestra que más del 74% de los hogares usan carbón vegetal, ya sea como combustible principal o secundario, el gas licuado del petróleo (GLP) es más usado en la comunidad semiurbana (59% > 43%) y la leña es más usada en la comunidad rural (49.6% >22.8%). El uso de leña implica un mayor tiempo destinado a la recolección, acondicionamiento y cocinado de alimentos. El uso de leña y carbón se hace predominantemente al aire libre (84% de los hogares) en cocinas sin chimenea. Se encontró una mayor prevalencia de enfermedades respiratorias en los hogares que utilizan carbón o leña (45%> 29%). El uso de electricidad para cocinar no es muy prevalente (únicamente el 7% lo usa como combustible principal). Conclusión: El uso de carbón y leña en los hogares del Paraguay es alto lo que tiene repercusiones en la salud y favorece las condiciones de inequidad social en el país. Se considera que una buena alternativa al uso de biomasa en Paraguay sería la electricidad, debido a que cuenta con grandes recursos hidroeléctricos y la red eléctrica cubre a casi la totalidad de la población (99%).

Introduction: The use of solid fuels is associatedwith more than 4 million premature deaths annually in the world, especially in women and children. The use of charcoal and firewood is still very prevalent in Paraguay, where 21% of the urban population and 71% of the rural population use these fuels for cooking. Objective: To describe the use of energy in the homes of two communities in Paraguay, a semi-urban and a rural one. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study that was carried out by means of a survey in 250 randomly selected households. Results: The analysis of the data obtained showed that more than 74% of households used charcoal, either as a primary or a secondary fuel. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was more commonly used in the semi-urban community (59%> 43%) and firewood was more used in the rural community (49.6%> 22.8%). The use of firewood implies a longer time for the collection, preparation and cooking of food. The use of firewood and charcoal was predominantly outdoors ( 84 % of households) in kitchens without a fireplace. A higher prevalence of respiratory diseases was found in households that used charcoal or firewood (45%> 29%). The use of electricity for cooking was not very prevalent (only 7% used it as the main fuel). Conclusion: The prevalence of the use of charcoal and wood in homes was high and has repercussions on collective health and favors the conditions of social inequality in the country. We suggest that promotion of electricity for cooking would be a viable clean alternative, because the country has large hydroelectric resources and the electric network covers almostthe entire population(99%).

Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Post-Menopausal Women in a Semi-Urban Community in Nigeria.

Aims: Menopause is associated with a myriad of chronic health risks. This study assessed the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk profile of post-menopausal women from a semi-urban community in Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Ife Central Local Government, Ile - Ife, Nigeria Methodology: One hundred and twenty menopausal women aged 55 years and older participated in this study. The respondents were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. The Framingham Heart Study Questionnaire was used to assess CVD risk level. Risk scores were classified as low (0-19), medium (20-29) and high risk (40+). Socio-Economic Status (SES) was assessed using a validated questionnaire while cardiovascular and anthropometric parameters were measured following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents were 64.9±8.4 years, 73.4±15.2kg and 27.3±5.4kg/m² respectively. A majority, 84(70.0%) of the respondents had high blood pressure, 77(64.2%) had over five years duration of onset of menopause while 13(10.8%) had high cardiovascular risk. Half of the respondents, 64(53.3%) were in the low SES class. High CVD risk was higher among individuals with over five years of menopause. Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed significant relationship between CVD risk and each of age (r = 0.507; P = 0.01), body weight (r = 0.257; P = 0.01), onset time of menopause (0.359; P = 0.01), blood pressure status (r = 0.665; P = 0.01), occupation (r = 0.330; P = 0.01) and SES (r = 0.406; P = 0.01) among post-menopausal women. Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD risk was high among Nigerian post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community. Age, body weight, years of onset menopause, blood pressure, occupation and socio-economic status level had significant relationship with high cardiovascular disease risk.