Physico-chemical characterisation of some ground water supply in a school environment in Ilorin, Nigeria

The water quality assessment of some ground water supply to a school in Ilorin City was carried out over a year. The concentration of nitrates in the samples were determined using a UV - visible spectrophotometer. The wells located within the student hostels were found to be high in nitrate with concentrations ranging from 7.11 - 8.54 mg/l. This is close to the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 10 mg/l allowed in drinking water. The concentrations in the boreholes ranged between 0.43 - 1.34 mg/l. The trace metal analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations were found to be below detection limit. The concentration of copper (Cu) ranged between 0.017 - 0.065 mg/l, the concentration of magnesium (Mg) ranged between 4.29 - 16.28 mg/l while calcium (Ca) concentration ranged between 26.60-235.60 mg/l. The metal concentrations were all within WHO recommended concentrations in drinking water. A linear regression carried out using the polymath software gave a negative slope

Factors Associated with Health-related Quality of Life among Post-paralytic Polio Survivors in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to assess Quality of Life (QOL), and examine its association with occupation and level of education among polio survivors. The study was a cross-sectional survey of polio survivors (N = 54) registered with the Post Paralytic Polio Survivors Association, living in Gusau, North Western Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) QOL BREF 26 Items English version was used to assess QOL, while a biodata form was used to assess demographic variables. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Wilcoxon rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 22.4 ± 5.4 years and mean QOL scores were 45.2 ± 9.7, 54.8 ± 11.4, 41.3 ± 10.9 and 44.4 ± 12.1 in physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental domains, respectively. The participants’ overall perception of their QOL and health averaged 3.3 ± 0.8 and 3.6 ± 0.7, respectively. No significant association was observed between all the domains. Occupation status (P > 0.05) and educational level had no significant relationship with all the domains (P > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that the QOL of polio survivors is not associated with their occupational status and level of education. It was suggested that follow-up research should try to clarify whether improving occupational and education status raises the QOL of polio survivors. Keywords: Polio, quality of life, survivor

Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure: Findings from the Ibadan Pregnant Women’s Survey

Physical activity, if there are no medical caveats, is beneficial to all people including pregnant women. This study examined the level of physical  activity in a group of pregnant Nigerian women. Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity of 453 pregnant  women. The mean age of participants was 30.89}4.44 years, 222 (49.0%) were sedentary, and only 46 (10.2%) presented with moderate activity  level. The highest amount of energy (75.9 MET-hEwk-1) was expended on household activities. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy had more than three times the risk of being sedentary (OR=3.26, 95% CI = 2.11-4.56) but the risk reduced by 58% in gravid .5 women. Most of the pregnant women recorded physical activity that was lower than the  recommended level, which could lead to unfavourable health outcomes for mother and child. Efforts to promote physical activity in pregnant women in this environment are desirable. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Keywords: Physical activity, Energy expenditure, Pregnancy, Maternal health promotion Sfil n'y a pas de mises en garde medicales, l'activite physique est  benefique pour toutes les personnes y compris les femmes enceintes. Cette etude a examine le niveau d'activite physique dans un groupe de femmes nigerianes enceintes. Un questionnaire base sur lfactivite  physique a ete utilise pour evaluer l'activite physique de 453 femmes  enceintes. L'age moyen des participants etait de 30,89 } 4,44 ans, 222 (49,0%) etaient sedentaire, et seulement 46 (10,2%) ont presente avec le niveau d'activite physique modere. Le montant le plus eleve de l'energie (75,9 MET-h. sem - 1) ont ete consacres aux activites menageres. Les  femmes dans le troisieme trimestre de la grossesse courent plus de trois fois le risque d'etre sedentaire (OR = 3,26, IC 95% 2,11 a 4,56 =) mais le risque se reduit de 58% en gravides . 5 femmes. La plupart des femmes enceintes ont enregistre l'activite physique qui etait inferieur au niveau  recommande, ce qui pourrait conduire a des resultats defavorables sur la sante de la mere et de l'enfant. il est souhaitable dfavoir des efforts pour promouvoir l'activite physique chez les femmes enceintes dans cet environnement. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Mots-cles: activite physique, depenses d'energie, grossesse, promotion de la sante maternell

Relationship Between the 6-minute Walk Test and Correlates of Type 2 Diabetes: Indication for caution in exercise prescription

Physical exercise is adjudged effective in the prevention and co-management of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, because of the different levels of exercise capacity; it must be prescribed with caution based on the individual’s peculiarities. The link between the 6-minute walk test and some correlates of T2D was investigated. This cross-sectional study of 58 consenting patients with T2D was conducted at the diabetes clinic of a secondary health centre in Kano, Nigeria. The measurements included the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) for exercise capacity and the T2D correlates including age, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. The relationships between the parameters were determined using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05. The participants consisted of 36 males (62.1%) and 22 females (37.9%). The mean 6MWD for males was 302 ± 33.28 meters and was shorter in women. The 6MWD correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with each of age [r = -0.78 (males), -0.62 (females)], waist circumference [r = -0.82 (males), -0.77 (females)] and body mass index [r = -0.66 (males), -0.74 (females)], while the waist hip ratio correlated significantly with the 6MWD only in the male participants (r = -0.59). Low exercise capacity in patients with T2D was associated with higher age and adiposity. Prescription of physical exercise to patients with T2D who present with one or a combination of these variables should be done with care in order not to exceed safe limits. KEY WORDS: type 2 diabetes, physical exercise, age, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip rati

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Outcome of a twelve-week Therapeutic exercise programme

Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with theirphysical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeuticexercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders ofType 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic ofAminu KanoTeaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades,disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weekswithout therapeutic exercises. Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P0.05). T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function

Interrelationship among physical activity, quality of life, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in a sample of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes

A number of complexities surround the health and well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes. These difficulties relate to self-care efforts and outcomes, and several other factors play regulatory functions. This study was carried out to investigate the inter-relationship among physical activity, quality of life, and clinical and sociodemographic factors in a group of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of two major healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and quality of life was assessed using the Diabetes Quality of Life Brief Clinical Inventory. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were also documented. A total of 227 patients with type 2 diabetes with a mean age of 55.83 ± 13.76 years took part in the study. A total of 156 (68.7%) of the participants, had low level of physical activity, while 81 (35.7%) reported quality of life scores below the intermediate score and hypertension was the mo 63 (27.8%) of the participants. Being 50 years and older (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.21-3.67) increased the odds of having lower quality of life, while physical activity of moderate-to-high intensity reduced the odds (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.8). A substantial proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes had below intermediate level quality of life, and most of them were physically inactive. Lower quality of life was also linked with sociodemographic and clinical variables but patients with moderate-to-high physical activity were likely to reduce by half the risk of poor quality of life.Keywords: physical activity, quality of life, sociodemographic characteristic

Relative Therapeutic Efficacy of the Treadmill and Step Bench in Gait Rehabilitation of Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

The aim of this research is to compare the efficacy of treadmill and step bench exercises in hemiparetic gait rehabilitation. Previous studies have supported the use of treadmill and step bench exercises in gait rehabilitation. Nineteen patients were recruited for an 8-week, 2-group quasi-experimental study which was conducted at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. The patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups: A (step bench exercise) and B (treadmill). Groups A and B had 9 and 10 participants respectively. The mean age of the participants in group A was 47.78 + 8.17 years, while that of participants in group B was 46.9 + 7.11 years. Data collected on cadence, stride length, stride width, step length, stride velocity and foot angle before treatment at the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment were analysed using inferential statistics. There was a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) in the pre-treatment and post-treatment scores in both groups. Comparison of the post-treatment mean scores of the 2 groups was made and the t-values for cadence, stride length, step length, stride width, stride velocity and foot angle were 1.18, -0.91,-0.86, 0.78,1.19 and 0.01, respectively, after analysis was carried out using the unpaired t test. The results showed no significant difference in the mean scores of the measured gait parameters for the groups (p&gt;0.05). It was concluded that hemiparetic stroke patients will benefit from both rehabilitation protocols, and that neither rehabilitation protocol is superior to the other

Profile of children with new-born brachial plexus palsy managed in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria

 New-born Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) is birth injury resulting from traction to the brachial plexus at birth. It is an injury to two or more cervical or thoracic nerve roots. It has been reported to be one of the most common birth injuries of the new-born. Persistent presentation of children with NBPP in Nigeria paediatric practice necessitates the need to examine prevalence, patterns and possible predisposing factors. This study therefore investigated retrospectively, profiles of children who presented with NBPP over a ten year period and were managed at the Physiotherapy department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria. A  retrospective cross-sectional survey, in which files of children with NBPP located from the database of the Physiotherapy department were retrieved in order to assess infant and maternal information. One hundred and seventy children, 93 (54.7%) males and 77 (45.3%) females were studied. Their mean birth weight was 4.21±0.54 kg, 99 (58.2%) were delivered in private (non-government) hospitals, majority 163 (95.9%) presented with Erb’s Palsy. Mothers, 54 (31.8%) were mostly primiparous and a seemingly persistent elevation in two-yearly incidence of NBPP was observed. Improved healthcare policy in child delivery is encouraged in non-government hospitals in Nigeria to provide preventive measures toward incidence of NBPP. Documentation of physiotherapy management of children with NBPP should include outcomes from admission through to discharge.Keywords: New-born, Brachial plexus Palsy, Incidence, Physiotherapy, Nigeri

Increase in Adiposity of Type 2 Diabetes Patients following Withdrawal from Therapeutic Exercise

In order to achieve optimum health status, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients are usually encouraged to undergo regular and consistent therapeutic exercises. This study investigated whether the gains of exercises on adiposity variables of T2D patients are maintained within a few weeks of withdrawal from exercise and whether it was significantly related to the age of the patient and the duration of diagnosis of T2D. Forty-three T2D patients aged between 30 and 64 years were recruited for this study. They were placed on a combination of endurance and strengthening exercises for 12 weeks. The participants were thereafter observed for another 12 weeks without exercises. The adiposity variables measured in both phases of the study include: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and percent-body-fat (PBF). Significant improvements (P less than 0.05) for all the variables were achieved after 12 weeks of therapeutic exercises. The variables, however, showed significant relapses (P less than 0.05) within six weeks of withdrawal of exercise and these were significantly related (P less than 0.05) to both the age of the patient and the duration of diagnosis. The endurance and strengthening exercises improved the adiposity variables of theT2D patients, but the gains began to decline within six weeks of withdrawal from the exercises. The increase in adiposity was more as the age and duration of diagnosis of the patients increased. KEY WORDS: weight maintenance, body composition, diabetes mellitu

Psychosocial stress among patients with type 2 diabetes: habitual physical activity as a promising moderator

Psychosocial stress is a disabling condition and is common among people with diabetes mellitus in view of the complexity of the disorder. It is however not clear if the psychosocial stress has any link with habitual physical activity, which is an important component in the care of people with diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the likely connection between habitual physical activity and psychosocial stress among people with type 2 diabetes. A total of 193 adults with type 2 diabetes took part in this study. Psychosocial stress was assessed using the Revised Questionnaire on Stress in patients with Diabetes (QSD-R) while physical activity was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p &lt; .05. The mean age of the participants was 58.76 ± 14.27 years with mean duration of diagnosis being 6.41 ± 4. 51 years. With a mean score of 2.8, work activity was the main source of physical activity for the patients with the least activity index of 1.2 coming from sports participation. Hypoglycaemia and self-medication/diet were the most important sources of stress to the patients and the overall psychosocial stress was related to habitual physical activity (r = - .73, p = .002). Significantly, patients with higher physical activity index presented with lower psychosocial stress. Apart from the well-known improvement in glycaemic control, type 2 diabetes patients that participate more in physical activity may be able to reduce their psychosocial stress.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, psychosocial stress, habitual physical activit