Psycho-sociocultural Analysis of Attitude towards Littering in a Nigerian Urban City

This study examined the influence of altruism, environmental self-efficacy, locus of control, self-concept, age, gender, and level of education as predictors of attitude towards littering among residents of some selected communities in Ibadan metropolis. An ex-post cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, one thousand, three hundred and sixty participants participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Data collection was through a battery of measures combined into a single questionnaire. Pearson product-moment correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, and One-Way ANOVA statistical techniques were tools of testing hypotheses. Findings indicated that a combination of altruism, environmental self-efficacy, locus of control, self-concept, age, and gender explained 57% of the variance in attitude towards littering. The relative contributions reveal that altruism (beta = -.23, p < .01), environmental selfefficacy (beta = -.18, p < .01); locus of control (beta =.34, p < .01), and self-concept (beta = -.51, p < .01) contribute significantly to attitude towards littering. Also, level of educational attainment has significant effect on attitude towards littering. These findings provide link between psychological factors and attitude towards littering, and suggest reasons for ineffectiveness of previous anti-littering campaigns among residents of Ibadan. Thus, the psychological variables in this study have implications for interventions on littering attitude.Key words: Attitude, littering, psychosociocultural, urban city, Nigeri

Vitamin B12 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin

Background: Due to the clinical benefits of metformin, its associated side effects such as vitamin B12 deficiency are usually overlooked and rarely investigated.Objective: This study was carried out to determine the serum level of vitamin B12 in Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin.Methods: Serum vitamin B12 level was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 81 T2DM patients who have been on metformin for 5 years or more. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum concentration of &lt;200 pg/dl, borderline deficiency as 200 – 300 pg/dl and &gt;300 pg/dl as normal. Differences in vitamin B12 levels between different groups were assessed using Mann Whitney U test and P&lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency and borderline deficiency were recorded in 8.6% and 26.0% of the patients respectively. Vitamin B12 level was significantly lower in patients who have been on metformin for  ≥10 years compared with patients with &lt;10 years history of metformin use. Similarly, patients who were on metformin at a dose of &gt;1000 mg/day had significantly lower vitamin B12 level when compared with patients on ≤1000 mg/day.Conclusion: Low serum vitamin B12 level is associated with longer duration and higher dose of metformin use. Therefore, routine determination of vitamin B12 level in patients with T2DM on high dose of metformin and those with prolonged use of metformin might help in identifying patients that would benefit from vitamin B12 supplements.Keywords: Metformin, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Vitamin B12 deficienc

Characterisation of heart failure with normal ejection fraction in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of heart failure with normal EF in a native African population with heart failure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a hospital cohort study. Subjects were 177 consecutive individuals with heart failure and ninety apparently normal control subjects. All the subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography. The group with heart failure was further subdivided into heart failure with normal EF (EF ≥ 50) (HFNEF) and heart failure with low EF(EF <50)(HFLEF).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The subjects with heart failure have a mean age of 52.3 ± 16.64 years vs 52.1 ± 11.84 years in the control subjects; p = 0.914. Other baseline characteristics except blood pressure parameters and height were comparable between the group with heart failure and the control subjects. The frequency of HFNEF was 39.5%. Compared with the HFLEF group, the HFNEF group have a smaller left ventricular diameter (in diastole and systole): (5.2 ± 1.22 cm vs 6.2 ± 1.39 cm; p < 0.0001 and 3.6 ± 1.24 cm vs 5.4 ± 1.35 cm;p < 0.0001) respectively, a higher relative wall thickness and deceleration time of the early mitral inflow velocity: (0.4 ± 0.12 vs 0.3 ± 0.14 p < 0.0001 and 149.6 ± 72.35 vs 110.9 ± 63.40 p = 0.001) respectively.</p> <p>The two groups with heart failure differed significantly from the control subjects in virtually all echocardiographic measurements except aortic root diameter, LV posterior wall thickness(HFLEF), and late mitral inflow velocity(HFNEF). HFNEF accounted for 70(39.5%) of cases of heart failure in this study.</p> <p>Hypertension is the underlying cardiovascular disease in 134(75.7%) of the combined heart failure population, 58 (82.9%) of the subjects with HFNEF group and 76(71%) of the HFLEF group. Females accounted for 44 (62.9%) of the subjects with HFNEF against 42(39.3%) in the HFLEF group (p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The frequency of heart failure with normal EF in this native African cohort with heart failure is comparable with the frequency in other populations. These groups of patients are more likely female, hypertensive with concentric pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy.</p

Clinimetric evaluation of active range of motion measures in patients with non-specific neck pain: a systematic review

The study is to provide a critical analysis of the research literature on clinimetric properties of instruments that can be used in daily practice to measure active cervical range of motion (ACROM) in patients with non-specific neck pain. A computerized literature search was performed in Medline, Cinahl and Embase from 1982 to January 2007. Two reviewers independently assessed the clinimetric properties of identified instruments using a criteria list. The search identified a total of 33 studies, investigating three different types of measurement instruments to determine ACROM. These instruments were: (1) different types of goniometers/inclinometers, (2) visual estimation, and (3) tape measurements. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was demonstrated for the cervical range of motion instrument (CROM), Cybex electronic digital instrument (EDI-320) and a single inclinometer. The presence of agreement was assessed for the EDI-320 and a single inclinometer. The CROM received a positive rating for construct validity. When clinical acceptability is taken into account both the CROM and the single inclinometer can be considered appropriate instruments for measuring the active range of motion in patients with non-specific neck pain in daily practice. Reliability is the aspect most frequently evaluated. Agreement, validity and responsiveness are documented less frequently

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Incidence and nature of graffiti writing among Ibadan University students

No Abstract

Self-Esteem and Achievement Motivation as Predictors of Perceived Sense of Competence among Workers in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital

This study explored the relationship between self-esteem, achievement motivation and perceived sense of competence among workers in a Nigerian university teaching hospital. Using a correlational design, one hundred and seventy (n=170) workers selected from different sections and clinics at a University teaching hospital in a south western state in Nigeria participated in the study. They comprised of males 85 (50%) and females 85 (50%) with ages ranged between 20 years and 55 years, and a mean of 32.39 years (SD= 7.13). The following instruments were used for data collection: self esteem scale developed by Adanijo and Oyefeso (1986), need for achievement scale developed by Edward (1954), perceived sense of competence scale developed by Wagner and Morse (1975) and modified by Synder and Morris (1978). Five hypotheses were tested using correlational statistics such as the Pearson r, Simple linear multiple regeression, independent t-test, and One-Way analysis of Variance. Results revealed that a positive relationship existed between achievement motivation (r = .52; p&lt;.01), self esteem (r = .65; p&lt;.01), and perceived sense of competence. There was a significant joint influence of achievement motivation, self-esteem, age and years of experience on perceived sense of competence (R2 = .55; F (4, 165) = 51.10; p&lt;.001). In addition, the independent contributions show significant independent influence of achievement motivation (&#223;=.37; t = 6.55; p&lt;.001), self-esteem (&#223;=.59; t = 9.90; p&lt;.001), and age (&#223;=-.16; t = 2.80; p&lt;.01) on perceived sense of competence. The meaning behind achievement motivation and self-esteem in relationship to perceived sense of competence is discussed, as well as the implication for these factors in enhancing the perceived sense of competence among workers. This will enable researchers and human resource professionals to look at the relationships among these variables in detail

Psychological Factors Predicting Risk-Taking Propensity of Poultry Farmers

The importance of perceived fear of failure, achievement motivation, and locus of control in explaining risk-taking propensity was tested among poultry farmers. A sample of 238 poultry farmers (133(55.9%) males 105 (44.1%) females), with ages ranged between 19 years and 70 years with a mean of 39 years (Sd=10.70) were randomly selected among members of Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Ibadan Branch. Using a correlational design, the following measures were used: Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI), Need for achievement scale, Locus of Control Behaviour and Risk-taking propensity. Results indicate a significant joint influence of perceived of fear of failure, achievement motivation, locus of control, age and years of experience on risk-taking propensity of poultry farmers (R2 = .58; F (5, 232) = 63.51; p&lt;.001). The independent predictions show significant independent influence of fear of failure on risk-taking propensity (&#223;=-.49; t = 4.74; p=n.s). Also, need for&#160; achievement (&#223; = .20; t = 2.98; p&lt;.01) and locus of control (&#223; = .34; t = 3.36; p&lt;.001) contribute significantly to variants in risk-taking propensity. The result also shows a significant effect of educational levels on risk-taking propensity of poultry farmers (F (3, 234) =3.38; p&lt;.01). Overall, the findings of this study hold perceived fear of failure, achievement motivation and locus of control are important in understanding risktasking propensity. Therefore, it is possible to achieve improvement in risk-tasking propensity among poultry farmers with psychological intervention. Training sessions, seminars and conferences organized for poultry farmers are important arenas for reducing fear of failure, improving need for achievement, locus of control, and healthy perception of risk-taking propensity, which could be important for individual, group and societal economy and well-being.Key words: Risk taking propensity, locus of control, need for achievement, perceived fear of failure, poultry farmin

Psychological well-being of victims of war displacement: The case of Liberian refugees in Nigeria

No Abstract