Perception, Knowledge, and Attitude toward Physical Activity Behaviour: Implications for Participation among Individuals with Essential Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding lifestyle behavior among individuals with hypertension is important for achieving hypertension control. AIM: This study explored perception, knowledge, attitude and participation in physical activity (PA) among individuals with hypertension attending tertiary hospitals in a south-eastern Nigerian state. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey involved 200 individuals with hypertension from the Out-Patient Departments of the two teaching hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. Information on age, education level, gender, height, sleep duration, perception of PA, knowledge about PA, attitude towards PA, and participation in PA was collected using a self-developed and pilot-tested questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP), height, body weight, and waist circumference were measured using standardized procedures. PA level was assessed using 7-Day International PA Questionnaire. RESULTS: Majority of participants reported good perceptions of PA behavior, in terms of not being discouraged by relations and friends, and of its benefits. They reported good knowledge about PA behavior. The participants demonstrated positive attitude in terms of benefits, importance, and involved risk of PA, and reported high level of participation in PA. There were significant correlations among knowledge about PA, attitude towards PA and participation in PA. PA level generally correlated significantly with attitude and participation in PA CONCLUSIONS: Perceived high level of participation in PA in this study sample can be attributed to their much knowledge and positive attitude towards PA. Increasing the knowledge about PA among individuals with hypertension by creating awareness about benefits and utilization of PA will improve their attitudes towards PA, and thereby fosters their participation in PA.

The pattern and challenges of infertility management in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Infertility remains a threat to successful reproduction by couples desirous of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of infertility cases amongst infertile couples seeking care in Lagos University Teaching Hospital as well as challenges in their management. METHODS: A review of the management of couples referred for infertility to the gynaecological outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria from 1(st) January 2005 to 31(st) December 2006. RESULTS: The incidence of infertility was found to be 26.8% of the gynaecological consultations with a mean duration of infertility of 4.3 ± 3.4 years. The mean age of the women was 33.8 ± 5.2 years and 66.1% were nulliparous. Secondary infertility accounted for 80% of cases. Male factors only was the cause in 11.1%, female factor only in 37.8%, both male and female factors in 40% while no cause was identifiable in 11.1%. There was no association between tubal occlusion and a history of induced abortion in this study (p >0.05). There was a high rate of discontinuation of care by their large numbers lost to follow up. CONCLUSION: Infertility is still a public health problem in Lagos, Nigeria.

Five year review of treatment outcome of directly observed therapy (DOT) for re-treatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients in UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in Nigeria. The country is currently fourth among the 22 high-burden countries (HBCs) of the world, with an incident of all new cases of 311/100,000 population per year out of which 137/100,000 population are smear positive and prevalence of 616/100,000 population. To highlight the burden of re-treatment smear positive pulmonary TB with and without HIV infection and determine how directly observed therapy (DOT) using the retreatment regimen has affected the treatment outcome in the management of these patients. A five-year retrospective study from April 2003 to March 2008 to evaluate the treatment outcome data of re-treatment pulmonary TB who were also screened and confirmed for HIV at the outpatient clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. The effect of HIV status and treatment outcome was assessed so also the prevalence of HIV among recurrent FPTB patients. The total number of cases assessed was 127. Majority of the patients were between the ages of 20 to 49 (73.2%). Forty-two of the PTB patients were HIV positive (33.1%). The treatment outcome was as follows: Cured 81 (63.8); Treatment completed 13(10.2%); Died 22 (17.3%); Defaulted four (3.1%) and transferred out seven (5.5%) More patients were cured and had treatment completion among the HIV negative patients compared with HIV positive patients (p < 0.0001) The mortality was higher in those with HIV positive than negative patients (p < 0.0001). Re-treatment pulmonary TB is frequent at this referral centre. A contribution to re-treatment prevention entails more rigorous management of new TB cases, particularly at lower levels of care. This effort will reduce the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) tuberculosis.

Five year review of treatment outcome of directly observed therapy (DOT) for re-treatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients in UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in Nigeria. The country is currently fourth among the 22 high-burden countries (HBCs) of the world; with an incident of all new cases of 311/100;000 population per year out of which 137/100;000 population are smear positive and prevalence of 616/100;000 population. To highlight the burden of re-treatment smear positive pulmonary TB with and without HIV infection and determine how Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) using the retreatment regimen has affected the treatment outcome in the management of these patients. A Fiveyear retrospective study from April 2003 to March 2008 to evaluate the treatment outcome data of retreatment pulmonary TB who were also screened and confirmed for HIV at the outpatient clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan; Nigeria. The effect of HIV status and treatment outcome was assessed so also the prevalence of HIV among recurrent PTB patients. The total number of cases assessed was 127. Majority of the patients were between the ages of 20 to 49(73.2). Forty-two of the PTB patients were HIV positive (33.1). The treatment outcome was as follows: Cured 81(63.8); Treatment completed 13(10.2); Died 22(17.3); Defaulted four (3.1) and transferred out seven (5.5) More patients were cured and had treatment completion among the HIV negative patients compared with HIV positive patients (p0.0001) The mortality was higher in those with HIV positive than negative patients (p 0.0001). Re-treatment pulmonary TB is frequent at this referral centre. A contribution to re-treatment prevention entails more rigorous management of new TB cases; particularly at lower levels of care. This effort will reduce the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) tuberculosis

Arm area measurements as indices of nutritional reserves and body water in African newborns.

Although application of non-invasive techniques for early evaluation of body water, calorie and protein reserves has been available for more than two decades, there is a dearth of information on the evaluation of extracellular water, protein and calorie reserves in the African newborn. A cross-sectional study of arm area measurements was undertaken in 510 term new-born infants consisting of 318 infants who were normal weight term infants (NWTI) with a mean birth weight of 2898.5 +/- 287.7 g and 192 low birth weight term infants (LBWTI) with a mean birth weight of 2176.5 +/- 194.7 g. The triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), the arm fat area (AFA), percentage of arm area (AFA%) and arm water area (AWA) were significantly greater in females than males weighing > 2500 g at birth (P < 0.05), though the mean birth weight and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were similar (P > 0.05). With the exception of AFA%, all measured and calculated indices were significantly lower in LBWTI than in the NWTI irrespective of sex (P < 0.05). The measurements may aid detection of newborns at risk of developing malnutrition in an area of the world where childhood undernutrition is common.

Experience with an in-patient treatment model for alcohol and drug dependence in Nigeria.

A new programme for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria is based on the modified Minnesota/Therapeutic Community model. It therefore incorporates the disease concept of drug dependence and the 12-steps of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). Chores and responsibilities are shared by all while learning experiences/sanctions are meted out for rule contravention. Most of the patients seen were forcibly brought by relatives, they were all males and polydrug abusers with no appreciable withdrawal symptoms during detoxification phase of the programme. About a third completed the treatment schedule. A sharp drop in abscondence rate was observed with the introduction of spiritual therapy. Experience showed that the patients had difficulty in conforming to rigid rules and staff had problems in coping with some of the complex issues of drug management.

Nigerian secondary school teachers: a pilot survey of views and knowledge about drug abuse.

The views and knowledge level of 135 randomly selected Secondary School teachers in the Abeokuta Local Government area of Ogun State on drug abuse were sought through a self report anonymous questionnaire. They were mostly male teachers (59.3%) under the age of 30 years (89.6%). The majority (59.3%) were never exposed to drug education as students whilst less than 20% have been exposed since qualifying as teachers. 72.6% do not currently teach their students Drug education. Although the majority had a good concept of the definition of drug abuse, their view on the potential drugs of abuse and the concept of "drug dependence" were inadequate. Respondents recently exposed to drug education were more likely to identify salicylate analgesics as potential drugs of abuse at a statistically significantly level (p less than 0.05). 85.9% of the respondents chose "guidance counselling" as the approach to the management of student drug abusers despite the dearth of this professional cadre in the schools. The disquieting implications of these findings in relation to the National Campaign aimed at stemming the increasing tide of drug abuse among youths in the country were discussed and suggestions proffered on ways of rectifying these. Finally the authors gave suggestions on the pattern and content of teacher-targetted formal drug education programme in the light of the findings.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a report of two cases in Nigeria.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome occurring in two Nigerians are reported. The features of this life threatening complication of treatment with neuroleptic drugs are highlighted with a view to emphasizing the need for the clinician to consider it a possibility in any febrile patient with a history of neuroleptic ingestion. The increased awareness will aid early diagnosis and prompt management which are necessary to prevent fatal outcome.

Post-partum mental illness in northern Nigeria.

All the major psychotic disorders observed following childbirth in the West also occur among patients in Northern Nigeria. The age at onset of post-partum mental disorder is observed to be lower among Northern than Southern Nigerian women; this, in the authors opinion, is probably because women in Northern Nigeria are generally "given out" to their spouses in early teenage. The study also comments on a probable entity of "pure puerperal psychosis."

Serum copper in schizophrenia in Nigerians.

Serum copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 102 schizophrenic patients and 95 healthy control subjects. The serum copper concentrations were significantly higher in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal control subjects. The average serum copper in schizophrenic females was higher than in schizophrenic males, but the difference was not statistically significant.