The paediatric flat foot and general anthropometry in 140 Australian school children aged 7 - 10 years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many studies have found a positive relationship between increased body weight and flat foot posture in children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From a study population of 140 children aged seven to 10 years, a sample of 31 children with flat feet was identified by screening with the FPI-6. Basic anthropometric measures were compared between subjects with and without flat feet as designated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results of this study, in contrast to many others, question the association of flat feet and heavy children. A significant relationship between foot posture and weight (FPI (L) r = -0.186 (p < 0.05), FPI(R) r = -0.194 (p < 0.05), waist girth (FPI (L) r = -0.213 (p < 0.05), FPI(R) r = -0.228 (p < 0.01) and BMI (FPI (L) r = -0.243 (p < 0.01), FPI(R) r = -0.263 (p < 0.01) was identified, but was both weak and inverse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study presents results which conflict with those of many previous investigations addressing the relationship between children's weight and foot posture. In contrast to previous studies, the implication of these results is that heavy children have less flat feet. Further investigation is warranted using a standardized approach to assessment and a larger sample of children to test this apparent contradiction.</p

Whole genome comparison of a large collection of mycobacteriophages reveals a continuum of phage genetic diversity

The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic information shows that phage genomes are mosaic, and the genetic architecture of phage populations remains ill-defined. To understand the population structure of phages infecting a single host strain, we isolated, sequenced, and compared 627 phages of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genetic diversity is considerable, and there are 28 distinct genomic types (clusters) with related nucleotide sequences. However, amino acid sequence comparisons show pervasive genomic mosaicism, and quantification of inter-cluster and intra-cluster relatedness reveals a continuum of genetic diversity, albeit with uneven representation of different phages. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis shows that the mycobacteriophage population is not closed, and there is a constant influx of genes from other sources. Phage isolation and analysis was performed by a large consortium of academic institutions, illustrating the substantial benefits of a disseminated, structured program involving large numbers of freshman undergraduates in scientific discovery

Maternal and perinatal mortality in ward a, ikosi-isheri lcda in lagos state, nigeria: from “guestimates” to near actuals

Background: The problem of authentic statistics on maternal and peri-natal mortality has persisted in Nigeria probably because of inadequate involvement of community members in data management.Objective: The objective of this study was to improve the accuracy of information on pregnancy outcome in a ward in Lagos state.Methods: Residents of Ward A of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State were educated on the importance of accurate health data. Youths selected based on criteria and community-based health care providers, following refresher training on research methods,assisted with the collection, analysis and presentation of data.Results: The records of churches, mosques, Traditional Birth Attendants, the government owned Primary Health Care (PHC) centre and 7 private health facilities in the ward reported no (0) maternal mortality, but 14 out of 633 live births in the latter died, giving a peri-natal mortality of 22.1per thousand in one year. However, neither the CDAs, nor LCDA nor the state received regular reports on pregnancy outcome.Conclusion: Under-reporting or over-estimation of pregnancy outcome can be reduced by involvement of the leaders of Residents Associations and other relevant community members in data management. Data should becollected by smaller units into which a ward is divided and collated at the ward level for transmission to the LGA/LCDA. Feedback to community members will improve awareness about the importance of appropriate antenatal, natal and peri-natal care. Health care providers are also more likely to take prompt action to prevent maternal and peri-natalmortality. Key words: Maternal mo rtality, peri-natal mortality, community participatio

Cost of Care Among Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health challenge. Currently it is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide, and Nigeria ranks fourth amongst 22 high-burden countries for the disease. This study sought to appraise the direct and indirect costs borne by TB patients attending the Chest Clinics at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and Mainland Hospital, (formerly Infectious Disease Hospital), Yaba, both in Lagos, Nigeria. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2008, recruiting all consenting TB patients that had commenced treatment at the Chest Clinics of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of 205 pretested, self-administered questionnaires and analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 12.0; SPSS Inc. 2003). Long-run average costs were employed in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Guidelines for Cost and Cost- Effectiveness Analysis of Tuberculosis Control, converting at US$1=N120. Result Throughout the duration of treatment, the typical TB patient earned an annual income of fifteen thousand, seven hundred and ninety five thousand naira only (N15, 795), equivalent to about one hundred and thirty-two dollars (US$132) and spent 7% of this on transport fare to attend his clinic daily. Direct costs (medical and non-medical) ranged between US$113 and US$401 with an average of US$161.28. This equates to 10$199) in indirect costs. Conclusion Direct and indirect costs of TB are exorbitant in Nigeria, and are especially due to poor social infrastructure and transport facilities

Socio-demographic determinants of stigma among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Patients living with tuberculosis (TB) experience significant disruption of their social life and are exposed to stigma and discrimination. This situation impacts on treatment adherence by individual patients and on disease control especially in developing nations. Different aetiological propositions have been propounded, including the relationship of tuberculosis with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Objectives: We sought to evaluate self-reported stigma experience among TB patients in Lagos and examine its sociodemographic determinants. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, recruiting 205 patients on treatment at two government-owned referral centres for tuberculosis, using self-administered questionnaires to collect each respondent&rsquo;s data. Result: Eighteen percent reported a previous stigma experience. Stigma experience was observed to be significantly determined by age, low socio-economic status, level of education below secondary level, disclosure of status, history of weight loss, previous smoking and alcohol history. Also, patients unable to work on clinic days were more likely to experience stigma. Sexs, religion, marital status and ethnicity were not significant determinants. Conclusion: Experience of stigma among patients with tuberculosis is common and may adversely affect treatment adherence. Healthcare workers and policy makers need to pay closer attention to the identified determinants for effective tuberculosis control.Keywords: Tuberculosis, AIDS, stigma, disclosure, weight los

Socio-demographic determinants of stigma among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Patients living with tuberculosis (TB) experience significant disruption of their social life and are exposed to stigma and discrimination. This situation impacts on treatment adherence by individual patients and on disease control especially in developing nations. Different aetiological propositions have been propounded, including the relationship of tuberculosis with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Objectives: We sought to evaluate self-reported stigma experience among TB patients in Lagos and examine its sociodemographic determinants. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, recruiting 205 patients on treatment at two government-owned referral centres for tuberculosis, using self-administered questionnaires to collect each respondent’s data. Result: Eighteen percent reported a previous stigma experience. Stigma experience was observed to be significantly determined by age, low socio-economic status, level of education below secondary level, disclosure of status, history of weight loss, previous smoking and alcohol history. Also, patients unable to work on clinic days were more likely to experience stigma. Sexs, religion, marital status and ethnicity were not significant determinants. Conclusion: Experience of stigma among patients with tuberculosis is common and may adversely affect treatment adherence. Healthcare workers and policy makers need to pay closer attention to the identified determinants for effective tuberculosis control

Original article - SOME FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT BLOOD PRESSURE IN NIGERIAN CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS.

Objective: To investigate the influence of age, nature of job and duration of employment on the blood pressure of the workers of a cement factory in Nigeria. Design: BP was measured using the standard sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Workers were classified based on age, type of job, and the number of years they have worked in the factory. Setting: The factory is located in a village and has an ill-equipped clinic run by a nurse. Participants: All the workers present in the factory for the three days of the study participated. Results: Blood pressure increased with age. Increases in blood pressure were not influenced by "cement related jobs" in the factory. The administrative staff had the highest number of "hypertensives". Newly employed workers were found to have higher mean systolic and diastolic pressures than others. Conclusion: Pollution in the cement factory may not influence blood pressure directly, but inactivity and the psychological stress associated with working in a potentially hazardous environment are factors to consider