Effect of ambulatory mobility aid devices on cardiovascular parameters, walking speed, perceived exertion, and balance of older adult men in Enugu, Nigeria.

Introduction: Ambulatory mobility aids are several devices the elderly may use in order to improve their walking pattern, balance, or safety while mobilizing independently. Objectives: To assess the effect of ambulatory mobility aid devices on cardiovascular parameters, walking speed, perceived exertion, and balance of older adult men. Methods: A sample of 156 old men was studied. Data were obtained through measurement of the participants' walking speed (distance covered/second), cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure), perceived exertion (difficulty or ease in breathing), and balance (ease in standing) after walking with and without the selected walking aid devices. Analysis was done to compare the effect of the walking aid devices on the selected dependent variables. Results: Results showed ambulation with mobility aid devices resulted in increase in the heart rate and blood pressure with the greatest increase observed when walking with Zimmer frame. Ambulation with mobility aid devices resulted in decrease of the walking speed of the participants when compared to ambulation without devices. Perceived exertion of participants after using Zimmer frame and walking cane was within 4.06 ± 1.35 and 3.98 ± 1.26, respectively, as opposed to 3.08 ± 0.73 after ambulation without aid. Use of Zimmer frame provided enough balance for participants. Conclusion: Ambulatory mobility devices caused difference in cardiovascular parameters when compared to ambulation at rest and without aid. It was recommended that selection of ambulatory mobility aid devices should depend on objective mobility assessments and periodical re-evaluation to ensure that it suits a person's functional requirements and physical capabilities.

Belief towards caesarean section: A community based study of male partners in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Introduction: Caesarean section is a surgical procedure used in delivering a baby by incising the abdomen and uterus of the mother. In a typical Nigerian culture, it is seen as a method to deliver a baby when the mother is not strong. Based on this premise, most men show a very negative attitude towards the procedure. This negative attitude may translate to a belief which might not be wholesome. Objectives: To assess the belief of male partners towards caesarean section. Methods: A sample of 400 male partners was investigated. The instrument used for data collection was a 22-item valid and reliable (α = 0.98) questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire was administered to the participants on face-to-face approach. Data were analysed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Results data showed that the male partners studied had negative beliefs towards caesarean section. Significant differences existed in the belief of the respondents towards caesarean section as it relates to their age, level of education, occupation, religion and location of residence (p < 0.05). Using a stepwise multiple regression model, all the socio-demographic variables studied played out to be significant (p < 0.05) predictors of belief towards the subject matter. Conclusion: The male partners have negative belief towards caesarean section and the personal characteristics of the subjects predicted their belief towards the subject matter. The existing phenomenon can be changed through health campaigns and education using healthcare workers and health educators.

Emotional impact of COVID-19 lockdown and mitigation options: A cross-sectional survey of households in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has continued to plague households, leading to lockdown problems. Adopting appropriate mitigation strategies can reduce the impact on family members. PURPOSE: To assess the emotional impact of COVID-19 epidemic lockdown and mitigation measures among households in Ebonyi State. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey design was used to study 516 participants. Emotional impact of COVID-19 lockdown (r = 0.73) and mitigation options (r = 0.92) questionnaire was used for data collection. Of the 516 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 493 copies (95.5% return rate) were used for data analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, standard deviations, and t-tests. RESULTS: The data showed the emotional impact of the COVID-19 epidemic was high (2.97 ± 0.48) on households. They embraced friendly communication and communication with their partners, maintaining regular contact with their loved ones by phone, email, social media, or video conference to alleviate the COVID-19 lockdown. No significant differences were found in the emotional impact for location (p > 0.05). Significant differences were not observed in many gender-based mitigation options. Conversely, a significant difference existed in the mitigation options based on location (t = 3.143, p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in friendly interactions and communication with partners (t = 0.354, p > 0.05), finding opportunities to develop excellent and promising news and images (t = 0.770, p > 0.05) and maintaining regular communication with loved ones via phone, email, social media, and video conference (t = 0.448, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The emotional impact of COVID-19 confinement was significant on family life and was more prevalent among men and urban dwellers. There is need to organise an awareness campaign on fundamental ways to overcome emotional distress using media targeting family members to promote emotional health.