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Aims: To determine the prevalence, and explore clinical correlates for tinnitus among elderly subjects. Study Design: Cross sectional community-based analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Sagamu community for a period of six weeks between 1st April and 18th May, 2015. Methodology: Consenting elderly subject (aged ≥ 60 years), who lived in the communities for a minimum of five years continuously were selected by multistage stratified sampling technique. Estimated sample size was 216 subjects. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic, otological and other systemic diseases parameters. The main outcome measure was Tinnitus present or absent. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive, uni and multivariate logistic regression analyses, LRA. Results: 212 elderly subjects completed the study. Prevalence of tinnitus according to socio-demographic characters revealed significant differences between age groups (p= 0.016), sex (p=0.010), level of education (p=0.005) and family settings (p=0.001). Univariate analyses revealed significant differences in previous ear discharge (p=0.019), previous ear syringing (p<0.001), previous loss of consciousness (p=0.004), observed hearing loss (p<0.001), confirmed hearing loss (p<0.001), exposure to noise (p<0.001), tendency to depression (p<0.001), and osteoarthritis of knee joint (p=0.045). Multivariate adjusted LRA confirmed previous ear syringing for wax impaction OR=6.863, 95% CI, 1.043-45.149 (p=0.045), observed hearing loss OR= 2.755, 95% CI, 1.116-6.800 (p=0.028), exposure to noise OR=50.213, 95% CI=5.358-70.542 (p=0.001) and tendency to depression OR=2.600, 95% CI, 1.000-6.759, (p=0.049) as clinical correlates for tinnitus among elderly subjects. Conclusions: There is high prevalence of tinnitus, with clinical correlates being otological and audiological parameters. Noise regulation and need for proper care for elderly at the community level were emphasized.
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Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic disorder amongst Black people and one of the major chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) affecting children, poses a significant psychosocial burden, not only on the sufferers but also on the parents. This study therefore sets out to assess the influence of these parents’ knowledge and practices towards reducing the frequency and seeking appropriate treatment of Sickle Cell Crisis in their children. Methodology: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. A Total Sampling of all the sickle cell patients that attend the selected facilities were recruited into the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaires which were interviewer administered. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 20.0. Results: A total of 415 patients were recruited into the study. Only 39.0% had adequate knowledge of SCD, 75.2% on prevention of crisis and 62.0% on predisposing factors to sickle cell crisis. About two-third [68.0%] of participants’ source of information is by hospital staffs. Majority 81.4% have only one child with SCD. The frequency of sickle cell crisis was statistically significantly associated with the Marital status of the parents [x2 = 24.029, p = 0.0001], Parents level of education x2 = 18.538, p = 0.0001, and the source of parents information about SCD x2 = 18.194 and P = 0.001. On logistic regression analysis, predictors of low frequency of crisis were individuals who had parents with tertiary education [OR=2.37, CI=1.45-3.87], information from health workers [OR=0.58, C.I=0.43-0.79], and family income above minimum wage [OR=0.147, C.I=0.06-0.34]. Conclusion: The study reveals that the level of care and support given to SCD children may reflect in their parent’s level of education, depth of knowledge about the disease and financial capability, therefore attention to the psychosocial problems of parents and/or caregivers of these children is of utmost importance.