A survey of the knowledge of chronic diseases of lifestyle among members of a university community in South Africa

Background: The increase in the prevalence of chronic disease among people of different colours, religion, age group and economic status has been documented. Having adequate knowledge of chronic disease is a major impetus towards behavioural changes that lead to prevention and management of chronic diseases.Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey that examined the knowledge of a University community on the risk factors and signs and symptoms of chronic diseases of lifestyle. Chronic disease of lifestyle assessment questionnaire was administered, online, on the Community. A list-based sampling frame survey was conducted via the emails.Results: A total of 124 (50.2%) respondents were females and 132 (53.7%) of our respondents were within 21–30 years of age. About 13.1% of our respondents were single while 41.6% completed tertiary education. Also, 26.9% were employed and vast majority of them were from black (92.2%) racial affiliation. The majority of them knew that smoking (92.2%), obesity (87.3%), alcohol consumption (84.1%) and stress (88.2%) are the causes of chronic diseases of lifestyle. More than half (52.66%) of the participants had adequate knowledge of the chronic diseases of lifestyle while 21.63% had poor knowledge of chronic diseases of lifestyle.Conclusion: The majority of the participants had good knowledge about the risk factors of chronic diseases of lifestyle but their overall knowledge was poor.Keywords: stroke, hypertension, diabetes, knowledge, chronic diseases of lifestyl

Chronic diseases of lifestyle risk factor profiles of a South African rural community

Globally, chronic diseases of lifestyle account for millions of dollars spent annually on health. These diseases share similar risk factors including: physical inactivity, obesity, cigarette smoking, and hypertension among others. This study sought to assess risk factors for chronic diseases of lifestyle of a rural community in South Africa. This study used a survey design with data randomly collected using the WHO STEPS Instrument for Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance from participants who attended routine checks from February to October 2018 from a trained healthcare practitioner. Informed consent was sought from all participants before the administration of the instrument. The research setting was the community Primary Health Center. About 54.0% of participants presented with no family history of hypertension but 19.7% had a family history of type II diabetes mellitus. More women were found to be hypertensive, with the majority (93.4%) monitoring their blood pressure. The study revealed that more men were current smokers. A large number of participants were engaged in a sedentary lifestyle with about one-third of the participants reported being obese. Physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension were among the lifestyle-related risk factors for chronic diseases among residents of this rural community

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of low back pain and activities that may prevent it among adolescents in Nigeria

Background: Awareness of activities that may result in low back pain (LBP) among adolescents is fundamental in preventing adulthood LBP. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents' knowledge, attitude, and perception of LBP and activities that may prevent LBP in Kano, North-western, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 400 school-going adolescents recruited using a multistage random sampling technique. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test with 0.05 set as level of significance. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 16.0±1.50 years. LBP annual prevalence was 34.2%, with more girls (31.1%) reporting having LBP compared to boys (28.4%). More than half (59.3%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of LBP and activities that may prevent it. However, they had a good attitude (63%) and perception (74%) of LBP and activities that may prevent it. There was no significant association of levels of knowledge, attitude, and perception of LBP and activities that may prevent LBP with gender, age, and class of study (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents in Kano, North-western Nigeria had poor knowledge of LBP and activities that may prevent it. Therefore, there is a need to embark on an LBP prevention program among adolescents in Kano, North-western Nigeria. Keywords: Low back pain; prevention; adolescents; knowledge; attitude; perception

Effects of a 10-week strength training programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week strength training (ST) programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). The findings of this study would help clinicians/clinical staff to take ST into consideration in the management of patients with hand OA thereby enhancing clinical outcome. This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 30 patients with hand OA participated in the study. Handgrip and pinch strength were measured using electronic hand dynamometer (in kg) and mechanical pinch gauge (in kg) respectively prior to and following a 10-week ST programme. The amount of handgrip and pinch strength of both hands generated by each participant was used as a quantitative measurement of the development of hand function. Data generated were analyzed using inferential statistics of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the statistical significance was accepted for p value of <0.05. The findings of the study showed that the ST programme had significant effects on hand function of patients with hand OA. It was concluded that the ST programme can substantially enhance hand function of patients with hand OA. Therefore, the ST programme should be considered as a key element in the management of patients with hand OA

Effects of a 10-week strength training programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week strength training (ST) programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). The findings of this study would help clinicians/clinical staff to take ST into consideration in the management of patients with hand OA thereby enhancing clinical outcome. This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 30 patients with hand OA participated in the study. Handgrip and pinch strength were measured using electronic hand dynamometer (in kg) and mechanical pinch gauge (in kg) respectively prior to and following a 10-week ST programme. The amount of handgrip and pinch strength of both hands generated by each participant was used as a quantitative measurement of the development of hand function. Data generated were analyzed using inferential statistics of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the statistical significance was accepted for p value of <0.05. The findings of the study showed that the ST programme had significant effects on hand function of patients with hand OA. It was concluded that the ST programme can substantially enhance hand function of patients with hand OA. Therefore, the ST programme should be considered as a key element in the management of patients with hand OA

The relationship between body fat percentage and body mass index in overweight and obese individuals in an urban african setting

The increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in both developed and developing countries is associated with musculoskeletal and other non-communicable diseases. To address this, an accurate measure of body adiposity, bearing in mind several shortcomings of body mass index (BMI), should be used. This study determined the relationship between BMI and body fat (BF)% among adult Nigerians of different ethnic groups residing in an urban setting. Using multistage cluster sampling technique were recruited 1571 subjects (>18 years; male=51.2%) in a cross-sectional study. Body adiposity indices were assessed using BMI and BF%. Using BF%, the result shows that a total number of 156 (9.9%) had low BF% while 291 (18.5%) had very high BF%, while the BMI classifications of body adiposity, 68 (4.3%) were underweight while 271 (17.3%) were obese. There was a strong and positive statistical relationship between BF% and BMI when both were paired without controlling for gender and age (r=0.81, P<0.01). The results show that there is a strong positive association between BMI and BF%, and age and sex are predictors of this association

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hausa version of the Oswestry Disability Index 2.1a for patients with low back pain

Study Design: Validation of a translated, culturally adapted questionnaire. Objective: To translate the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2.1a into Hausa Language and to validate its use in a cohort of patients with low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data: The ODI is one of the most commonly used condition-specific questionnaires for assessing functional disability in patients with LBP, yet, no formal cross-culturally adapted and validated Hausa version exists. Methods: The Hausa version of the ODI 2.1a (ODI-H) was developed according to established guidelines. Validation was performed among 200 patients with LBP recruited from both rural and urban Nigeria. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach alpha), test-retest reliability by computing intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the ODI-H with Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and finger-floor distance test. Divergent validity was assessed by correlating the ODI-H with age, educational level, and occupational status. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis were also performed. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed with three models: 1) one-factor theory-driven model, 2) two-factor theory-driven model (dynamic and static factors), and 3) a model based on our EFA. Results: The ODI-H had high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.87) and excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.937) with standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change being 3.69 and 10.2 respectively. The construct validity (convergent and divergent validity) is supported as all (6:6, 100%) the a priori hypotheses were confirmed. The EFA yielded a two-factor model explaining 54.3% of the total variance but demonstrated poor fit. The one-factor and two-factor theory-driven model had acceptable fit but the one-factor theory-driven model was better. Conclusion: The ODI-H version 2.1a was transculturally equivalent, reliable, and valid tool for assessing functional disability among Hausa-speaking patients with LBP. The use of this tool can be recommended for future clinical and research purposes

Assessment of functional capacity and sleep quality of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Adequate sleep improves physical and mental alertness. However, there is a dearth of empirical data on functional capacity (FC) and sleep quality (SpQ) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Objective: This study investigated the relationship between FC and SpQ of patients with CHF and apparently healthy controls (HCs). Methods: This case-control study recruited 50 patients with CHF whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40%, attending cardiac clinics of selected government hospitals in Osun State. Furthermore, 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were assessed. The FC (VO2 max) and SpQ were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients had a significantly lower FC and poorer SpQ than HCs, 4.6 ± 0.5 versus 11.3 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min (t = −3.452; p = 0.001) and 8.74 ± 1.6 versus 3.8 ± 1.3 (t = −5.371; p = 0.001), respectively. HCs were about five times more likely to walk longer distance [odds ratio (OR), 4.8; confidence interval (CI), 2.0–11.1] and had a better heart rate (OR, 2.8; CI, 1.4–5.3) than patients. SpQ had a significant negative correlation with FC of patients (r = −0.362; p = 0.001) but a significant positive correlation with HCs (r = 0.481; p = 0.041). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between FC and body mass index in both groups (CHF: r = 0.247, p = 0.022; HCs: r = 0.321, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Patients with heart failure demonstrated lower functional capacity and poorer sleep quality