Habitual Physical Activity, Peripheral Neuropathy, Foot Deformities and Lower Limb Function: Characterizing Prevalence and Interlinks in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may have diverse foot problems, but how these problems are linked with physical activity is not clear. This study investigated the prevalence of foot problems among patients with T2DM and investigated how the problems were related to physical activity.Methods: Habitual physical activity, peripheral neuropathy, lower limb functions and foot deformities of 246 T2DM patients were respectively assessed with the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, Lower Limb Function Scale, and a self-designed foot deformity audit form.Results: Habitual physical activity index (3.2 ± 0.83) was highest in work-related activities; 69 (26.1 %) patients presented with peripheral neuropathy and 52 (19. 7%) had the lowest limb function. Pes planus was the most prevalent foot deformity (20.1%). Significant differences existed in physical activity indices across deformity groups (p < 0.05) and total activity index was related to neuropathic and lower limb function scores (p < 0.05).Conclusion: A higher work-related but reduced participation in sports and leisure time physical activity among the patients was observed. Habitual physical activity was lowest in patients with a forefoot deformity, higher neuropathic scores and lesser lower limb function scores. Patients with T2DM in these categories may be a target for special physical activity intervention programmes.Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Foot Complications, Physical Activit

Awareness Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Female Undergraduate Students Of University Of Ibadan, Nigeria

The mortality and morbidity rate of carcinoma of the breast among Nigerian women is alarming and is a serious health issue to health professionals especially nurses. The high rate of mortality and morbidity associated with breast cancer can be reduced through early detection measures which include mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast self examination (BSE). The aim of this study therefore is to determine the level of awareness of breast cancer screening methods among the female undergraduate students of University of Ibadan who are future mothers. This is a non-experimental descriptive study that utilised a self-structured questionnaire for collection of data. Three hundred willing female undergraduate students drawn proportionately from the three halls of residence participated in the study. Only 286 out of the 300 questionnaires distributed, were correctly filled, and fit for analysis. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilised for analysis of data. The age of the respondents ranged from 16 to 40 years. Majority (92.6%) were single. Those who have heard about BSE, CBE and mammography were 82.7%, 59.8% and 46% respectively. The mass media top the list of sources of information. However, only 33.8% demonstrated good knowledge of appropriate time BSE should be carried out. Larger proportion; 81.2% had never accessed CBE at any particular time in life. There is a significant association between the respondents\' level of awareness of mammography and the respondent mothers\' level of education, (P ? 0.05). The findings of the study revealed high level of awareness of BSE but low level of knowledge. Similarly, the number of respondents who had benefited from CBE was very low. Therefore, nurses, midwives and doctors are encouraged to teach their clients BSE and incorporate CBE into the routine physical examination of their clients. Keywords: Awareness, Breast cancer, Screening, Undergraduate students.African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 11 (1&2) 2008: pp. 161-17

What women do to prevent and treat malaria in Ibadan

Malaria is a life threatening parasitic disease transmitted from person to person through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria constitutes one of the health problems, which slow the level of development in Nigeria. Up to 50% of outpatients attendance and 40% of admissions are due to malaria in Nigeria. This study examines what women do to prevent and treat malaria in Ibadan. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected among Bodija market women in Ibadan. Questionnaires were administered among 501 market women and 10 in-depth interviews were conducted also among market women but who were nursing children at the time of the study. Data showed that although majority of the respondents used window nets, medicine (95.2%) and insecticide (80.0%) were mostly used to prevent malaria. Use of ITN was low with only 21.2% used it for children and 0.6% for self. Less than half of the respondents (41.9%) have heard about it. Although self-medication (38.4%) was the main method of treatment, use of herbs and hospital was on equal proportion of 30.3% and 30.9% respectively. Spiritual methods were rarely used (0.4%). There is no significant relationship between age and treatment pattern (p>0.05). Qualitative data revealed that significant others influence decisions about prevention and treatment of malaria. In conclusion, data showed that use of ITN is very low as preventive measure while a combination of therapies is used for treatment.African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 9(1) 2006: 14-2

Perceived causes of malaria among market women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Malaria is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. About 300 million cases occur each year resulting in, at least, one million deaths in Africa. A life threatening parasitic disease transmitted from person to person through female Anopheles mosquito bite is responsible for up to 50% of outpatients\' attendance and 40% admission in Nigeria. One major problem facing prevention and control of malaria in Nigeria is delay in health seeking due to wrong perception of the disease among others. This study therefore examined how people perceive the cause of malaria. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected among Bodija market women in Ibadan. A total of 501 questionnaires were administered to randomly selected market women and 10 in-depth interviews were conducted among selected nursing mothers. Data showed that certain misconceptions exist about causes of malaria as less than half of the respondents could link malaria to mosquito. Majority of the respondents did not know the category of people who are vulnerable to malaria while 13.8% were of the view that fair complexioned people are more vulnerable. Headache was considered as a major symptom of malaria. Level of education influenced how respondents defined malaria. Qualitative data revealed that Malaria could result from too much exposure to sun and close interaction with Malaria infected person especially among children. It is, therefore, concluded that negative perception of malaria disease still exist and this has major implication for health seeking behaviour in society where home remedy is the basic source of therapy.African Journal for the Study of Psychological Social Issues Vol. 8(2) 2005: 335-34

Psychoeducation for psychological issues and birth preparedness in LMICs: A systematic review

Background: Psychological issues usually accompany the pregnancy of first-time mothers and psychoeducational interventions might be effective in addressing these concerns and preparing first-time mothers for childbirth and the postnatal period. This study aimed to identify, analyse and synthesise the components as well as determine the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions that are used for managing psychological issues and enhancing birth preparedness among primigravid women or couples in LMICs. Method: A systematic search of 12 databases (APA PsycINFO, Emcare, Embase, MEDLINE(R), Ovid Nursing, British Nursing Index, Health and Medical Collection, ProQuest, CINAHL, Cochrane, Hinari and PubMed) was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 1946 and October 2021. Quality of the included studies was appraised by the JBI critical appraisal tool and a narrative synthesis was conducted to analyse data extracted from included articles. The systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021237896). Findings: The initial search yielded 8,658 articles. Sixteen articles including seven randomised controlled trials and nine non-randomised trials met the inclusion criteria and were selected and reviewed for quality. Thirty-nine outcomes were measured in the studies including psychological outcomes, birth preparedness outcomes and other outcomes. The design of the interventions included antenatal education that was delivered through lectures, role plays, trainings, and antenatal counselling. All the psychoeducational interventions had a significant effect (p <. 05; Cohen’s d or Hedge’ g = 0.2 to 1.9) on certain psychological outcomes including childbirth attitude, fear of childbirth, depression, fear, and anxiety and birth preparedness outcomes. Interpretation: Although first-time mothers experience a range of psychological issues during pregnancy, psychoeducational interventions were beneficial in addressing their psychological concerns. It would appear that these interventions are less expensive and could be easily implemented in LMICs. However, rigorous research like RCTs are hereby warranted to standardise the interventions and outcome assessment tools