Validation of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale in Nigeria: Impact on Patients’ Cognitive Capacity

Self-management programmes targeted at enhanced self-efficacy are progressively being emphasized as a cost-effective way of alleviating patients’ chronic illnesses. However, no measure of self-efficacy has been validated for chronic disease patients with varied cognitive failures. Chronic disease patients with complete data on cognitive failures and the SEMCD at their assessment between March and April 2016 in the southwest of Nigeria were used. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to assess the factor structure of the SEMCD scale. Reliability and parameter estimates of the scale were established using traditional Cronbach’s alpha and item response theory (IRT) analyses. A total of 1214 patients were included. CFA supported the single factor structure of the SEMCD scale (Fit index= 1.00, comparative fit index = 1.00, root mean square error of approximation = 0.00). Internal consistency was high (α=0.94). A unidimensional graded response model also supported a single scale scoring process for the survey and showed all items as worthy contributors to the measuring scale. Significant negative relationships of the scale with cognitive failures (r = -0.10, p<0.01) and for the construct validity, with measures of health status (r = -0.26 - -0.10; p<0.01) and health care utilization (r = -0.24 ─ -0.12; p<0.001) were found. Scores from the SEMCD scale are valid for measuring self-efficacy in chronic disease patients with varied cognitive failures. Results support the scale as an outcome measure to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management programmes in patients with diverse cognitive capacities

Attitudes towards genetic testing: The role of genetic literacy, motivated cognition, and socio-demographic characteristics

Understanding reasons for why people choose to have or not to have a genetic test is essen tial given the ever-increasing use of genetic technologies in everyday life. The present study explored the multiple drivers of people’s attitudes towards genetic testing. Using the Interna tional Genetic Literacy and Attitudes Survey (iGLAS), we collected data on: (1) willingness to undergo testing; (2) genetic literacy; (3) motivated cognition; and (4) demographic and cultural characteristics. The 37 variables were explored in the largest to-date sample of 4311 participants from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds. The results showed that 82% of participants were willing to undergo genetic testing for improved treatment; and over 73%—for research. The 35 predictor variables together explained only a small propor tion of variance: 7%—in the willingness to test for Treatment; and 6%—for Research. The strongest predictors of willingness to undergo genetic testing were genetic knowledge and deterministic beliefs. Concerns about data misuse and about finding out unwanted health related information were weakly negatively associated with willingness to undergo genetic testing. We also found some differences in factors linked to attitudes towards genetic testing across the countries included in this study. Our study demonstrates that decision-making regarding genetic testing is influenced by a large number of potentially interacting factors. Further research into these factors may help consumers to make decisions regarding genetic testing that are right for their specific circumstances

Food intake in relation to obesity and subjective cognitive complaints : a cross-sectional study from Nigeria

There is evidence from research that dietary lifestyle influences health and mental well-being but there is limited understanding of the mechanism in Nigerian adult population. This study evaluated association of food intake with obesity and subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in Nigerian adults. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1338 random samples aged 18-87 years who were visiting six different public hospitals in the southwest Nigeria between March 2016 and April 2016. Standard food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and SCC questionnaire were used while anthropometric data were measured using standard clinical procedures. Associations were determined by linear and unconditional logistic regressions, after adjustment for age, ethnicity, education, gender, marital status, family type, alcohol and smoking status. Consumption of four different foods was significantly associated with SCC while one food intake was significantly associated with obesity measure (i.e., body mass index): meat product (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), 1.002; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.001-1.004; P <.0001), and sugary snacks (AOR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.002- 1.011; P <.01) were associated with increased SCCs whereas consumption of cereal products (AOR, 0.999; 95% CI, 0.998-1.000; P <.01) and potatoes (AOR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-1.000; P <.05) were associated with decreased levels of SCCs. Consumption of non-alcoholic beverages was associated with decreased BMI levels (AOR, 0.998; 95%CI, 0.997-1.00; P <.05). Linear regression analyses on these data largely recapitulated the results. In conclusion, consumption of cereals, potatoes and non-alcoholic beverages appear beneficial to health and the findings could serve as an intervention strategy for tackling SCCs and obesity

Alcohol use and HIV risk sexual behaviours among counseling and testing clients in Nigeria

Background: Alcohol use is an important factor for high risk sexual behaviours thereby enhancing HIV transmission and acquisition.Objectives: This study sought to find out the pattern of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours among HIV counseling and testing clients.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information from consenting consecutive HIV counseling and testing (HCT) clients.Results: A total of 358 HCT clients comprising 301 (84.1%) males and 57 (15.9%) females were interviewed. HIV prevalence among the respondents was 19 %( n=68). Overall, most of the respondents 83.2% (n=298) used alcohol. Majority of the respondents 148(90.2%) who had multiple sex partners used alcohol p=0.00. Alcohol use was prevalent 157(76.6%) among the respondents who didn't use condom for sexual acts p=0.00.Conclusion: Alcohol use was prevalent and significantly associated with HIV risk sexual behaviours among studied HCT clients.Keywords: HIV infection, alcohol consumption, prevention, Nigeri