Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among occupational drivers in Mubi, Nigeria.

Background. Studies on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among drivers in northern Nigeria are modest. Objectives. This survey determined the prevalence of risk factors, onset of WMSDs and experience of ergonomic training, coping strategies and treatment options adopted by drivers. Methods. This cross-sectional survey utilized an adapted version of the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire for examining WMSDs among drivers. Descriptive and χ2 statistics were employed to summarize and analyze data, respectively; the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results. The prevalence of WMSDs among the respondents was 21.2%. The annual prevalence of the various WMSD domains was lower back pain (34%), neck pain (18.9%), upper back pain (22.3%), shoulder pain (18.2%), knee pain (14.9%), ankle pain (17%), wrist pain (7.5%), elbow pain (7.5%) and hip/thigh pain (15.1%). χ2 analysis showed that age (p = 0.006), marital status (p = 0.027) and educational level (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with prevalence of WMSDs. The majority of the drivers (92.5%) had no ergonomic training while 77.4% did not seek treatment. Conclusions. Adequate sensitization on health-seeking behavior and coping strategies through seminars and workshops should be conducted to improve health-seeking behavior and coping strategies of occupational drivers.

Casual blood pressure of adolescents attending public secondary schools in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Although evidence exists that adolescents' hypertension could lead to adults' hypertension, it is a general belief that measures for early detection and treatment of this condition is seldom undertaken especially in medically underserved communities such as Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among adolescents in Maiduguri, Nigeria, and explored the association between undiagnosed hypertension and adolescents' physical characteristics and parental socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Participants' physical characteristics were assessed, and information on their socio-demographics including parental socioeconomic status were obtained. Blood pressures and heart rates of the participants were also measured three times at 5-10-min period. RESULTS: The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among the students was 13.2 %, and overwhelming majority (82.4 %) of the hypertensive students were in the prehypertensive stage, while 17.6 % were in the stage 1 classification of hypertension. Higher prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was observed for the females compared to the male adolescents (X (2) = 15.49, p = 0.001), and presence of undiagnosed hypertension is positively but tenuously linked to age (r = 0.11, p = 0.01), body mass index (r = 0.10, p = 0.01), and parental income (r = 0.26, p = 0.02) of the students. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that any effective programs designed to mitigate undiagnosed hypertension among adolescents in this city should include strategies that address possible barriers to physical activity and exercise among female adolescents in the society.

Co-morbidities and socio-demographic distribution of stroke survivors referred for physiotherapy in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: a retrospective study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study investigated some co-morbidities, and age, gender and occupational distribution of stroke survivors seen in the Physiotherapy clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria; A 3-year retrospective study (January, 2008 to December, 2010). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 236 case notes of stroke survivors referred to the Physiotherapy clinic within the period of study were obtained and reviewed. RESULTS: Majority (50.8%) of the stroke survivors were hypertensive, type 2 diabetes mellitus accounted for 14.8%, HIV 11.4%, chronic renal and heart diseases constituted 8.1% and 3.8% respectively. Those with hperlipidaemia and obesity comprised 3.0% each, and not specified encompassed 5.1%. One hundred and forty-one (59.7%) of the cases seen were males and 95 (40.3%) were females. The average age of the male and female patients were 56.0 ± 15.8 and 49.8 ± 18.8 years respectively. Housewives (31.8%) constituted the highest occupational groups while students (5.9%) were the least. CONCLUSION: The most common co-morbidities found among the stroke survivors were hypertension (50.8%), diabetes mellitus (14.8%) and HIV (11.4%). Majority of the stroke survivors were at their peak age when they are most economically relevant and productive (below 60 years). This suggests that the disability resulting from stroke will have a great negative impact on quality of life and socio-economic lives of these patients as well as a burden on the society. To alleviate this impact and lessen the societal burden of the disease, the public should be well educated and informed on the importance of seeking prompt and appropriate health care services.