Nutritional status, prevalence of some metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease and BMI-metabolic-risk sub-phenotypes in an adult Nigerian population

Studies have shown that metabolic risk factors associated with increased body mass index are the critical factors that confer risk for the chronic diseases associated with fat. The prevalence of these disorders is scarcely reported in Nigeria. We evaluated 542 adult Nigerians for nutritional status, serum total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose level and hypertension, using standard anthropometric and clinical methods. The results show that 32.1%, 11.8%, 19.6%, 11.8% and 60.7% of the population, irrespective of sex were over-weight, obese, hyperglycaemic, hypercholesterolemic and hypertensive respectively. Approximately 33% of the obese population were metabolically-healthy obese-like (MHO-like) while 8.6% of the normal BMI population were metabolically-obese normal-weight-like (MONW-like). Other sub-phenotypes were present at rates of 5 \u2013 32% in the population. The results are discussed and compared to figures from other populations. Our data apparently supports the view that the assessment of metabolic risks for chronic diseases, irrespective of body mass index, may be more useful in identifying individuals or groups at risk of these disorders

Oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase activity in brain of rats fed with diet containing permethrin

Many pesticides have been reported to cause a lot of health problems in workers, users and non-target organisms in the environment. Permethrin containing insect pesticide has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms. However, the underlying mechanism involved in the toxicity is not well understood. The present study was envisaged to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in permethrin neurotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates of Wistar rats. Oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups compared with their parallel controls. Concomitantly, the activity of SOD was found to decrease or increase significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared with their controls. Our result also showed that activity of SOD was aged and concentration dependent. Hence, the newly weaned rats appear to be more susceptible to the pesticide contaminated diet because the SOD activity decreased more in the brain homogenates compared with the middle aged rats or aged rats. Observed aggressive behaviour was noticed in the pesticide exposed rats, hence a possible neurobehavioral effect. The result demonstrated that the pyrethroid insect powder exerts its toxic effect by promoting oxidative stress in the brain and this may affect normal brain functioning and growth

Variations in the prevalence of point (pre)hypertension in a Nigerian school-going adolescent population living in a semi-urban and an urban area

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypertension has been shown to start in early life and to track into adulthood. Detecting adolescents with hypertension and prehypertension will aid early intervention and reduce morbidity and mortality from the disorders. This study reports the point-prevalence of the two disorders in a semi-urban and an urban population of school-going adolescents in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 843 adolescents from two places of domicile were studied. Their blood pressures and anthropometric indices were measured using standard protocol. Point-hypertension and point-prehypertension were defined with respect to each subject's gender, age and height. The prevalence of the disorders was calculated and reported age-wise and nutritional status-wise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of point-prehypertension in the semi-urban area was 22.2% (20.7% for girls and 23.1% for boys) while it was 25.0% (21.8% for girls and 29.2% for boys) in the urban area. The prevalence of point-hypertension was 4.6% (4.1% for girls and 4.8% for boys) in the semi-urban area and 17.5% (18.0% for girls and 16.9% for boys) in the urban area. Point-prehypertension was not detected among the thin subjects of both places of domicile. The prevalence of point-prehypertension was similar in both the urban and semi-urban areas among the subjects who had normal BMI-for-age, and over-weight/obese subjects respectively. From the semi-urban to the urban area, the prevalence of point-hypertension increased approximately 3-folds among thin and normal BMI-for-age subjects, and 10-folds among overweight/obese subjects. Systolic hypertension was more preponderant in both the semi-urban and urban areas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of both disorders is considerably high in the studied populations. Urgent pediatric public health action is needed to address the situation.</p

Comparative Effects of the Leaves of Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina Incorporated Diets on the Lipid Profiles of Rats

The hypolipidaemic effects of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Vernonia amygdalina (VA)diet preparations on the lipid profile of rats were compared. The rats were fed for 28 days on diet specially formulated to contain 5%, 15% and 30% by weight of the leaves of each plant respectively while the control group was fed standard rat diet. The serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined on blood samples collected on the 28th day. The results show that the VA diet induced a significantly lower serum total cholesterol level at the 15% and 30% concentrations relative to the GL diet preparation. The results also show that there was no significant difference between the effects of GL and VA diet preparations at the various levels of treatments. The comparison of the effects of the two diet preparations show that VA produced higher levels of HDL-C compared to GL which was significant at 5% and 15% concentrations respectively. It appears from our results that VA diet preparation may have better hyperlipidaemic effect than GL diet preparation. Therefore, VA may have better therapeutic promise in preventing lipid related pathologies compared to G

Association Between Blood Pressure and some other Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in a Lean Black Population

Blood pressures, serum total cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, anthropometric parameters and ages of five hundred and thirty eight adult Nigerians, living in two localities were measured using standard protocol. The mean age of the subjects was 50.5 ± 10.8 years while their mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.9 ± 5.0 kg/m2. Hypertensive subjects who had desirable serum total cholesterol levels had lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (152.33 ± 19.55 mmHg, for males, and 145.60 ± 18.64 mmHg, for females) compared to those who had undesirable serum total cholesterol levels (174.02 ± 24.93 mmHg, for males, and 177.65 ± 31.11 mmHg, for females). For normotensive subjects, serum total cholesterol status did not significantly affect SBP. SBP in the hypertensive subjects was highest in the overweight group (159.17 ± 25.31 mmHg) and lowest in the obese group (150.69 ± 20.14 mmHg). In normotensive subjects, SBP did not change markedly between the BMI groups. Data on the effects of age and blood glucose levels are presented. Risk factors for hypertension may not affect individuals with and without the disorder linearly. The underlying mechanistic processes that link changes in these risk factors to their physiological consequences for blood pressure elevation and regulation deserve more attentio

Nutritional status, prevalence of some metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease and BMI-metabolic-risk sub-phenotypes in an adult Nigerian population

Studies have shown that metabolic risk factors associated with increased body mass index are the critical factors that confer risk for the chronic diseases associated with fat. The prevalence of these disorders is scarcely reported in Nigeria. We evaluated 542 adult Nigerians for nutritional status, serum total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose level and hypertension, using standard anthropometric and clinical methods. The results show that 32.1%, 11.8%, 19.6%, 11.8% and 60.7% of the population, irrespective of sex were over-weight, obese, hyperglycaemic, hypercholesterolemic and hypertensive respectively. Approximately 33% of the obese population were metabolically-healthy obese-like (MHO-like) while 8.6% of the normal BMI population were metabolically-obese normal-weight-like (MONW-like). Other sub-phenotypes were present at rates of 5 – 32% in the population. The results are discussed and compared to figures from other populations. Our data apparently supports the view that the assessment of metabolic risks for chronic diseases, irrespective of body mass index, may be more useful in identifying individuals or groups at risk of these disorders

Oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase activity in brain of rats fed with diet containing permethrin

Many pesticides have been reported to cause a lot of health problems in workers, users and non-target organisms in the environment. Permethrin containing insect pesticide has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms. However, the underlying mechanism involved in the toxicity is not well understood. The present study was envisaged to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in permethrin neurotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates of Wistar rats. Oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups compared with their parallel controls. Concomitantly, the activity of SOD was found to decrease or increase significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared with their controls. Our result also showed that activity of SOD was aged and concentration dependent. Hence, the newly weaned rats appear to be more susceptible to the pesticide contaminated diet because the SOD activity decreased more in the brain homogenates compared with the middle aged rats or aged rats. Observed aggressive behaviour was noticed in the pesticide exposed rats, hence a possible neurobehavioral effect. The result demonstrated that the pyrethroid insect powder exerts its toxic effect by promoting oxidative stress in the brain and this may affect normal brain functioning and growth

Predictive factors to access and use of family planning services by rural and semi-urban dwellers in Afikpo North Local Government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Pregnancy and childbirth are important periods when women of reproductive age frequently come in contact with healthcare facilities and&nbsp; providers. These periods afford them the privilege for discussion and decision on post-partum family planning with healthcare providers. Male&nbsp; partner consent has been shown to have a positive impact on access and uptake of modern contraception. This study was aimed at assessing the availability, uptake and male partner consent for post-partum family planning (PPFP) amongst rural and semi-urban dwellers in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study conducted on 205 postpartum women, 40 health workers at the primary health centres (PHCs) and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Afikpo North LGA were selected by a random sampling technique. Information was obtained via 3&nbsp; categories of interviewer-administered questionnaire for the different categories of individuals involved in the study. Data analyses was done using SPSS version 21.0. The overall findings showed a high prevalence of grand multiparity (51.2%) and child-bearing at extremities of reproductive age (20.5%) despite generally good awareness of modern contraception (92.7%) and availability of family planning services and modern birth control methods in all the PHC facilities. Of note is that a good percentage of the women received antenatal care (38.1%) or had their last delivery at TBAs places (42.4%) despite the fact that only 60% of the TBAs are aware of modern family planning methods and none of them offer family planning services. The prevalence of modern contraceptive usage was 41.5% and the male partner consent was present in 72.9% of modern contraceptive users. Despite high level of awareness and availability of modern family planning services, the TBAs should be more sensitized in order to improve the uptake of PPFP. Keywords: Access, family planning, postpartum, rural dwellers, Afikpo La grossesse et l'accouchement sont des périodes importantes pendant lesquelles les femmes en âge de procréer entrent fréquemment en contact avec les établissements de santé et les prestataires de soins. Ces périodes leur donnent le privilège de discuter et de prendre des décisions sur la planification familiale post-partum avec les prestataires de soins de santé. Il a été démontré que le consentement du partenaire masculin a un impact positif sur l'accès et l'utilisation de la contraception moderne. Cette étude visait à évaluer la disponibilité, l'adoption et le consentement du partenaire masculin pour la planification familiale post-partum (PPFP) parmi les habitants des zones rurales et semi-urbaines d'Afikpo North, dans l'État d'Ebonyi, au Nigéria. L'étude a été menée auprès de 205 femmes post-partum, 40 agents de santé des centres de santé primaires (SSP) et des accoucheuses traditionnelles (AT) d'Afikpo North LGA sélectionnées par une technique d'échantillonnage aléatoire. Les informations ont été&nbsp; obtenues via 3 catégories de questionnaires administrés par les enquêteurs pour les différentes catégories d'individus impliqués dans l'étude. Lesanalyses de données ont été effectuées à l'aide de SPSS version 21.0. Les résultats globaux ont montré une forte prévalence de la grande multiparité (51,2%) et de la maternité aux extrémités de l'âge de procréer (20,5%) malgré une bonne connaissance de la contraception moderne (92,7%) et la disponibilité des services de planification familiale et des méthodes modernes de contrôle des naissances en toutes les installations de SSP. Il est à noter qu'un bon pourcentage des femmes ont reçu des soins prénatals (38,1%) ou ont eu leur dernier accouchement dans les lieux des accoucheuses traditionnelles (42,4%) malgré le fait que seulement 60% des accoucheuses traditionnelles connaissent les méthodes modernes de planification familiale et aucune d'entre elles offrir des services de planification familiale. La prévalence de l'utilisation de contraceptifs modernes était de 41,5% et le consentement du partenaire masculin était présent chez 72,9% des utilisatrices de contraceptifs modernes. Malgré un niveau élevé de sensibilisation et de disponibilité des services de planification familiale modernes, les accoucheuses traditionnelles devraient être plus sensibilisées afin d'améliorer l'adoption de la PPFP. Mots-clés: Mère adolescente, nutrition, santé, soutiens, défis, théorie cognitive sociale &nbsp

China-Africa Health Development Initiatives: Benefits and Implications for Shaping Innovative and Evidence-informed National Health Policies and Programs in Sub-saharan African Countries

Background and Introduction: This review paper examines the growing implications of China’s engagement in shaping innovative national initiatives against infectious diseases and poverty control and elimination in African countries. It seeks to understand the factors and enhancers that can promote mutual and innovative health development initiatives, and those that are necessary in generating reliable and quality data for evidence-based contextual policy, priorities and programs. Methods: We examined the China-Africa health cooperation in supporting global health agenda on infectious diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, Ebola, TB, HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevention, control and elimination spanning a period of 10 years. We reviewed referenced publications, global support data, and extensive sources related to and other emerging epidemics and infectious diseases of poverty, programs and interventions, health systems development issues, challenges, opportunities and investments. Published literature in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Books and web-based peer-reviewed journal articles, government annual reports were assessed from the fi rst Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2006 to December 2015 Third Ministerial conferences. Results: Our findings highlight current shared public health challenges and emphasize the need to nurture, develop and establish effective, functional and sustainable health systems capacity to detect and respond to all public health threats and epidemic burdens, evidence-based programs and quality care outcomes. China’s significant health diplomacy emphasizes the importance of health financing in establishing health development commitment and investment in improving the gains and opportunities, importantly efficiency and value health priorities and planning. Conclusions and Global Health Implications: Strengthening China-Africa health development agenda towards collective commitment and investment in quality care delivery, effective programs coverage and effi ciency, preparedness and emergency response is needed in transforming African health information systems, and local health governance structures and management in emerging epidemics. Furthermore, innovative evidence of operational joint solutions and strategies are critical in advancing healthcare delivery, and further enhancing Universal Health Care, and Sustainable Development Goals to attain global health improvements and economic prosperity. Key words: China-Africa • Partnership • Multilateralism • Engagement • National • Global Health  • Disease • Sustainable • Development Copyright © 2016 Tambo et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.