Body size preference among Yoruba in three Nigerian communities.

Following our previous observation of an aversion to weight reduction in Nigerians with type 2 diabetes, we measured several parameters of body dimensions and preferences in otherwise healthy adults in three communities to study the phenomenon further. The study population of 524 participants (304 F) was 99.8% of Yoruba ethnic origin with a mean age of 43.9 ± 17.2 years. Females had a significantly (p > 0.001) higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference compared to the males; the values being 24.55 ± 5.5 vs. 21.75 ± 3.71 kg/m(2); 84.98 ± 12.67 vs. 80.92 ± 9.85 cm; 96.32 ± 12.94 vs. 89.36 ± 8.06 cm, respectively. There was a high level of satisfaction amongst respondents with their body size (Kendall's t = 0.52, p < 0.001) which they also predicted with a high degree of certainty even without the prior use of a weighing scale. The relationship between current body size (CBI) and BMI emerged as CBI = 1.22 + 0.32 BMI. In the 41% of respondents who expressed unhappiness with their current body size, there was a strong aversion for a smaller body size and the preference was often for a bigger body figure. Strikingly, many more women than men were less dissatisfied with their bigger body sizes. Stepwise regression indicated that CBI and gender were the two most important variables that best related to casual blood sugar (RBS) among the factors entered. The mathematical relationship between these variables that emerged was: [Formula: see text] where gender = 0 for male and 1 for female. The results suggest that larger body sizes were positively viewed in these communities consistent with our previous observations in type 2 diabetes.

Mathematical modeling of the epidemiology and the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS infections in Nigeria.

Many of the already proposed models for the transmission of HIV/AIDS do not fit the situations in Nigeria. This is in part due to the fact that many of the models pay more attention to either homogeneity of sexual contact or population of homosexuals. Although some notable models have also been studied by different authors in times and places for heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS epidemics, none of these models addressed the peculiar transmission dynamics in Nigeria. In this study, we grouped the population into susceptible, infected and AIDS men and women with sexual contact as the major route for HIV transmission. Assuming a strong sexual network between the groups and with the AIDS group unable to contribute to infection, we formulated mathematical models for the heterosexual transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Our models incorporated parameters and variables that describe the nature and the strength of the transmission across the groups. We also presented model predictions on pattern of mixing between and within the groups and how these in turn determine the global dynamics of the epidemics in Nigeria. Our simulation results show that, an increase in the transmission probability as well as in the number of sexual partnership poses more treat to the population than other parameters. The model predictions show that the epidemics tend to level up after year 2010. The number of sexual partners change per year and the probability of an effective contact are among the most critical variables in the HIV/AIDS epidemics in a community of heterosexual Nigerians. Our results agree with recent findings of similar models for some Sub-Saharan African countries. Also, results from the predictions based on the most recent National HIV Seroprevalence Surveillance Survey conducted in Nigeria agree with our findings.

Deterioration of noise-induced hearing loss among bottling factory workers.

BACKGROUND: Repeated exposure to excessive noise will eventually lead to an irreversible increase in hearing thresholds. In theory, the damage reflects both the intensity of the noise and the duration of exposure. This is not linear with respect to duration of exposure; rather, the worker may experience a disproportionate loss in the early years of exposure. METHODS: A prospective study surveying workers of the production section (i.e. most noise-exposed area) of a bottling factory was carried out in December 2003 and in December 2005. A self-administered questionnaire was used to extract information about worker's demographic characteristics, drug intake, and medical and occupational history, as well as information on the use of hearing protection devices. Noise mapping of the various departments of the factory was carried out. Otological examination, tympanometry and audiometry were also carried out on selected subjects. RESULTS: Eighty-four workers, 76 (90.5 per cent) men and eight (9.5 per cent) women, were studied. Their mean age was 33.0 +/- 7.6 years in 2003 and 35.0 +/- 7.6 years in 2005. The recorded noise levels in the factory production section ranged between 91.5 and 98.7 dBA. The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss among workers was noted to be 64.9 and 86.9 per cent for test one (2003) and test two (2005), respectively. The degree of hearing deterioration within the two years of this study was 1.0-3.2 dB for the right ear and 1.6-3.4 dB for the left ear. This deterioration was at discrete frequencies. More than half (53.6 per cent) of the workers did not have a hearing protection device. Of the 46.4 per cent who did, only 38.5 per cent claimed to have used it regularly. INTERPRETATION: These findings showed that there was a high prevalence of mild sensorineural hearing loss and significant hearing deterioration among workers, due to exposure to excessive noise over a two-year period. The study demonstrates the practical importance of serial audiometry for noise-exposed workers as a means of monitoring hearing deterioration. It is necessary to enforce existing occupational health laws in our industries in order to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, since it is eminently preventable.

Effects of dietary sucrose intake on glycaemic control in Nigerians with type 2 diabetes.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are routinely advised to abstain from using dietary sugar for fear of aggravating existing diabetic control; yet the supporting evidence for this recommendation is unavailable, hence this study. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of dietary sucrose can affect diabetic control. Adults with stable type 2 diabetes [monthly fasting blood sugar (FBS) of 0.05) correlation between sucrose intake and FBS. The results suggest that dietary sucrose intake of this amount had no adverse effect on glycaemic control and body weight in individuals with type 2 diabetes over the period of observation.

Inadequate control of blood pressure in Nigerians with diabetes.

To observe the extent to which blood pressure (BP) was reduced to below 140/90 mm Hg in Nigerians with diabetes (DM), data were collected using structured questionnaire, standard sphygmomanometer, and measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG). Two hundred forty-four subjects (85 males) aged 17-84 years with a mean duration of DM of 7.9 years and who regularly attended the clinic for diabetes at least monthly for no less than 6 months were involved. Eleven percent, 13 of the 115 treated hypertensives, had BP controlled to levels below 140/90 mm Hg. Nifedipine was the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive (44.30%), followed by alpha-methyldopa (15.7%) and then the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) captopril and lisinopril (11.3%). Thiazides (9.7%) or thiazide-based fixed combination tablets were prescribed in about 25% of the patients. Eighteen percent were on more than one antihypertensive concurrently and dosages were often at threshold. The majority of the hypertensives with BP below 140/90 mm Hg were on thiazide-based medications. In 152 participants, the presence of hypertension did not affect glycemic control (chi2 = 4.41, df = 2, P = .1) observed and 60% of the entire population had FBC < or = 7.9 mmol/L. Lack of access to care does not explain these findings and suggests an area for improvement. Fortunately, the data also show that thiazides were associated with better control of BP at a cost that was affordable without jeopardizing diabetic control.

Diabetic care in Nigeria: report of a self-audit.

As part of a wider study aimed at establishing baseline data on standard of diabetic care to compare with subsequent reassessment after measures to improve outcomes have been introduced, the case notes of 118 Nigerians (42 males) with diabetes attending a teaching hospital-based diabetic clinic were reviewed to assess the quality of professional care in a year with reference to an international standard of diabetic care. Patient attendance at the clinic averaged about nine times annually and majority of them had been attending the facility for about 6 years. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was tested four or more times in 92.4% of the patients. The corresponding figures for footcare were 1.7%; referrals for eye, dental, or cardiac examination were 12.7%, while lipid profile, serum creatinine, and urinary protein estimation were documented in 16.9% of the patients. In contrast, high-risk assessment or part of it was documented in all patients, and in 61.9%, high-risk intervention was recorded. The data suggest that the quality of diabetic care was less than optimal, and foot examination and referrals, etc. are specific areas for improvement.