Risk factors for diabetes mellitus among rural adults in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus remains a high burden for individuals all over the world. Identification of adults at risk for diabetes mellitus provides potential opportunities for early diagnosis and prevention of diabetes mellitus. This study sought to determine the risk factors for diabetes mellitus among adults in a rural Nigerian community. METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study of 750 subjects age > or = 15 years using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Subjects were examined for weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference; body mass index and waist-hip ratio were calculated. Blood samples were collected from subjects for estimation of plasma glucose concentration using the glucose oxidase method of Trinder. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to standard WHO/IDF criteria. RESULTS: Subjects consisted of 385 (51.3%) males and 365 (48.7%) females (male: female 1.05:1) with mean age of 39.42 +/- 16.17 years. Physical inactivity and body mass index were not identified as risk factors for diabetes mellitus. In multiple logistic regression, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was independently associated with age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05, p = 0.03), alcohol intake (OR 9.04, 95% CI 1.68-48.8l, p = 0.1), parental history of diabetes mellitus (OR 57.02, 95% CI 7.88-432.9, p < 0.001) and waist-hip ratio (OR 22175.12.95% CI 19.38-253736.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We established that advancing age, alcohol intake, parental history of DM and increasing waist-hip ratio were risk factors for diabetes mellitus among rural adults in Nigeria. Identification of these risk factors in rural adults would be an important step in prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in the rural population.

Ethnicity, family socioeconomic inequalities, and prevalence of vaginal douching among college students: the implication for health.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the association between ethnicity and family socioeconomic status (SES) as it relates to the prevalence of vaginal douching among female undergraduates in a university community. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 among 1,535 female undergraduates using a semistructured behavioral questionnaire adapted by the authors from previous research related to vaginal douching practice. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of vaginal douching was 79.35% and the practice was significantly associated with the mother's age, ethnicity, low SES (educational level, occupation, and monthly income), and area of residence. The father's age and SES were statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Ethnicity and low SES of mothers were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of douching in daughters. These factors should be considered among others in any intervention to discourage vaginal douching among college women.

Obstetric fistula repair: experience with hospital-based outreach approach in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The huge back-log of obstetric fistula and the increasing incidence of the condition in Nigeria is a cause for concern for all stake-holders. This worrisome trend requires concerted effort with innovative strategies to redress the situation. METHODS: Hospital-based outreach programs sponsored by a non-governmental organization with volunteer medical and health personnel were used to repair selected cases of obstetric fistula in Nigeria. RESULTS: Fifty-two relatively simple obstetric fistulas were selected out of 68 (selection rate 76.5%) that presented for repair at 12 outreach programs in 5 different states of Nigeria. All the cases were repaired by one trained gynecological surgeon with a cure rate of 100%. The majority (50.0%) of the women were aged between 16 and 20 years with a mean age of 23.8 years ± 3.6. Most (80.9%) of the women in the study population were primiparous. The majority (50.0%) of the women were divorced at the time of their presentation for repair. A vast majority (76.9%) of the women had either primary level of education or no formal education. There was a preponderance (53.8%) of juxtacervical VVF among women in the study population. CONCLUSION: The use of hospital- based outreach approach to repair simple cases of obstetric fistula if multiplied could help reduce the large number of women living with unrepaired VVF in Nigeria.

Quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite the global efforts and huge financial investment in HIV/AIDS, the quality of life in people living with the disease continues to deteriorate, posing serious problems with increased mortality. AIM: The objectives of the study were: (i) to assess the quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS, and (ii) to compare quality of life in males and females living with the disease. METHODS: A total of 309 people living with HIV/AIDS from the HIV clinic, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were randomly assessed for quality of life, using HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of life (HAT-QOL) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 265 (85.8%) respondents consisting of 113 (36.6%) males and 152 (49.2%) females were analyzed. The mean age for males was 36.8 +/- 4.0 years and females 31.9 +/- 3.3 years. The difference in mean was statistically significant (t = 31.831, p < 0.01), occupation was statistically significant (chi(2) = 11.348, p < 0.02). Females showed lower quality of life in comparable domains than males. The differences in life satisfaction (chi(2) = 10.362, p < 0.01) and health worries (chi(2) = 9.944, p < 0.01) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed impairment in quality of life, except in medication worries and sexual function in people living with HIV/AIDS. Improvement in HAT-QoL indices will enhance positive quality of life.