Physical activity and pattern of blood pressure in postmenopausal women with hypertension in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal changes during menopause have been attributed to hypertension-a common public health concern. This study investigated physical activity (PA) and pattern of blood pressure (BP) in postmenopausal women newly diagnosed with hypertension and referred for treatment at the medicine outpatient clinic of a tertiary health facility in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. It compared BP pattern and adiposity variables [body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR)] between two PA groups. METHODS: Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 220 participants in this cross-sectional survey after obtaining their informed consent. International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA level, while a 16-item questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic and clinical profiles of the women. BP, BMI and WHR were assessed using standard measurement procedures. Descriptive statistics of mean ± standard deviation were used for data summarization and independent t-test was used to compare variables between low level and moderate to vigorous level PA groups. RESULTS: Participants' mean values include: age 61.6 ± 8.5 years, years since menopause 12.75± 8.15, BMI 28.63±4.99kg/m(2), WHR 1.11±0.08, SBP and DBP 145.9±17.9; 93.7±11.4 mmHg respectively. Mean values of SBP, DBP, BMI and WHR were higher among participants with low PA compared to those with moderate to vigorous even though the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Involvement in moderate to vigorous physical activities among menopausal women in Nigeria should be encouraged. This may reduce hypertension and adiposity with a possible control of cardiovascular disease risk.

On-site physicians at a major sporting event in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Although the need for on-site physicians at mass gatherings has been investigated in developed countries, it has not been studied in a developing country, where resources are limited, paramedical services are unavailable, and transportation and other facilities are inadequate. HYPOTHESIS: The presence of on-site physicians would result in the effective management and prehospital care of casualties at mass gatherings or major sporting events in a developing country. METHODS: A retrospective review of the planning procedures and medical records of the 19th Nigerian University games was conducted. Data from demographic profiles of visitors presenting to the on-site, secondary, and tertiary medical centers and the treatments used were extracted from log-books and processed and interpreted. RESULTS: The Games hosted 6000 accredited athletes and officials, and an estimated 80,000 spectators. Medical coverage was provided by 54 doctors and other healthcare staff at on-site, secondary, and tertiary medical centers. No trained paramedics were available. A total of 494 visits were made to the medical centers (medical usage rate of 2.1/1000, patient presentation rate of 0.08). Forty-six percent of the visitors were evaluated by a physician on-site. Ninety percent of the visits were managed on-site, while 5% and 3% were referred to secondary and tertiary medical centers, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of on-site physicians at a major sporting event resulted in the majority of injuries and complaints being effectively treated on-scene. This reduced the number of hospital referrals and saved time and money for treatment.