Prevalence and awareness of hypertension and associated risk factors among bank workers in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is largely asymptomatic and common among adult Nigerians, and considered to be of public health importance. Banking work is associated with stress, a risk for hypertension.Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and awareness of hypertension and its associated risk factors among bankers in Owerri.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was aimed at determining the knowledge, prevalence of hypertension and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease among bank workers in Owerri. We randomly selected banks by balloting in Owerri and assessed 194 bankers using a self-administered questionnaire on their knowledge and social habits. Their blood pressure (mmHg), weight (Kg) and heights (meter) were measured. Results are presented in proportions and odds ratio.Results: We studied 194 bankers; 100 males and 94 females. Most respondents (98%) had a good knowledge of hypertension but 80.4% (156) had poor knowledge of the risk factors of hypertension; 86.6% (118) and 59.3% (115) had poor knowledge of its treatment and complications respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 12.4% with odds of a male being hypertensive 4.2 (95% CI 1.5 – 11.7), P-value= 0.006. Thirteen (68.4%) bankers with hypertension had good blood pressure control. Alcohol consumption in 12 (50%) and obesity in 9 (37.5%) bankers were the commonest cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion: Bank workers in Owerri have a good knowledge of hypertension despite a low prevalence of hypertension. Additional educational effort aimed at addressing blood pressure control and life style modification is necessary among bankers.Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, bankers, awareness, risk factors, cardiovascular diseas

HIV/TB Co-infection Among HIV Positive Children Attending Clinics In Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome and tuberculosis are among the leading causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide. The resurgence of tuberculosis in children is partly attributed to the coexisting burden of human immunodeficiency virus infection, which is most pronounced in sub Saharan Africa.Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of HIV/TB co-infection among HIV positive children attending clinics at Imo State University Teaching Hospital.Method: This is a retrospective review of HIV/AIDS children attending HIV clinics at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria from January, 2011- December, 2012.Results: Of the total of 128 HIV infected children reviewed during the 24 months period, 16(12.5%) were coinfected with tuberculosis, (95% CI, 10.7% - 14.3%). Among these 16 patients, TB co-infection was diagnosed before commencement of ART in 93.7% of them. Majority of the TB cases (87.5%) presented with pulmonary TB amongst whom only 25.0% were sputum positive. The factors found to affect TB development significantly were stage of HIV disease (p=0.000) and CD4 count level (P=0.021) of patients. The factor with the highest influence on TB development was the clinical stage of HIV disease (Odds ratio =6.013) and that of least influence was sex of patient (Odds ratio= 0.8319).Conclusion: The study revealed a moderately high TB/HIV co-infection rate. Low CD4 count level below 200cell/ml and late clinical stages of HIV disease contribute significantly to the development of TB disease.Key Words: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, co-infection, children

Prevalence of Needle Stick Injuries among Healthcare Workers in Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Needle stick injuries represent one of the most important occupational hazards to which health workers are exposed. These injuries result from accidental piercing of the skin and or mucous membranes by sharp objects. Needle stick injuries carry the risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, especially hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Objective: To determine the prevalence of needle stick injuries amongst health care workers in Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu South East Nigeria.Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study. Data was collected using a semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Result were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Out of a total of 153 respondents, only 36(23.5%) suffered at least one needle stick injury in the previous year. The highest prevalence rate was among the nurses 23(28.4%). Most injuries occurred during intramuscular injection 17(47.2%).10 (27.8%) reported their injuries to a doctor/supervisor. 9(25%) received post exposure prophylaxis.Conclusion: The prevalence of needle stick injuries among respondents was 23.5%. Nurses were mostly affected. Most of the accidents were unreported. Risk factors identified were nature of occupation, non use of personal protective devices and inadequate training on safety practices.Key words: Needle stick injuries, healthcare workers, prevalenc

Evaluation of Premarital Health Care Knowledge among Adolescent Females in a Secondary School in Orlu, Imo State South Eastern Nigeria

Background:  The primary aim of premarital health care is to ensure that women are in their best possible physical and emotional state of health when they marry and conceive. Premarital care will lower both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as enhance mothers’ psychological well-being.Objective:  To evaluate the level of premarital health care knowledge received by adolescent girls in a secondary school in Orlu.Methodology:  It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Results were analyzed and presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts.Results: It showed that out of 288 respondents, 202(70%) of the girls had good premarital health care knowledge, while 86(30%) had poor premarital care knowledge. It was also observed that premarital health information were sourced from non-health professionals like girl friends, mothers and sistersConclusion: Majority of the respondents have good premarital health care knowledge, and a low prevalence of sexual activity, unlike   those with poor premarital health care knowledge.Keywords: premarital care, adolescents, evaluatio

The Prevalence of Smoking among Undergraduates of Imo State University Owerri, SouthEastern Nigeria

Background:- Smoking is the act of inhaling and exhaling, swallowing or tasting of fumes of a burning substance such as tobacco into the body system. It is an addictive act with adverse effects on health and social life. Tobacco smoking is presently the most popular form of smoking and is practiced by over one billion of the world’s population, with cigarette smoking being the most predominant. In Nigeria, recent research shows that the incidence of smoking is on the increase especially among the youths, with the resultant devastating effects, which is felt more in our communities due to poor health facilities, low nutritional status and dearth of knowledge as to its negative effects.Objectives:-(1)         To determine the prevalence of tobacco use amongst undergraduates of Imo State University Owerri.(2)         To make appropriate recommendations to control tobacco use among youths.Methodology:- This is a descriptive cross sectional study. Data was collected using a semi-structured self administered questionnaire; it was analyzed and presented using tables and other descriptive statistical methods.Results:- Of the 350  respondents, only 95(27%) smoke tobacco, and this can be attributed to awareness of the health and social hazards associated with it. There were more male smokers 88(25%) than female smokers 7(2%). The highest number of cigarettes taken per day was 8 sticks. 84(80%) respondents who are smokers were introduced to the act by friends and course mates; 85(81%) of respondents smoke just to derive satisfaction. Over 323(95%) of respondents are aware of the health hazards posed by smoking, while 222(78%) admitted their desire to quit smoking.Conclusion and Recommendation:- The prevalence of smoking among undergraduates of Imo State University was 27%, with more males involved than females. It is a habit common amongst youths with many negative effects on health. More enlightenment of the students on the dangers of smoking is needed in order to achieve behavioral change. Furthermore, the sale and use of tobacco products should be prohibited in the university campuses, while counseling and help centres should be provided to help those who want to quit the act.Key words: Smoking, undergraduates, prevalence

The prevalence of alcohol consumption among undergraduates of Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Alcohol consumption implies the ingestion of any alcoholic drink or beverage. When digested, alcohol is metabolized by the liver to release its active ingredient, ethanol. Alcohol misuse is a very important global health problem with a pattern of abuse varying in different parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one-third of the world’s population has tasted alcohol. The health and social effects are so enormous as it predisposes to, and causes or  ggravates a wide range of diseases which can lead to death in some cases.Objective: To determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among undergraduates of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were  collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire,  collated, analyzed and presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts.Results: Of the 350 respondents, 63% consumed alcohol. Out of this, 42% were males, and 21% females. The average number of bottles of beer  consumed per day was two, and 63% of those who drank alcohol were  introduced to the act by friends and course mates, 21% by relatives, 12% assumed the habit based on personal decision and 3% were enticed by radio and television adverts. Amongst the respondents, 86% drank alcohol for personal enjoyment and satisfaction, 26% drank for relaxation with friends and 15% to cool off tension in times of anxiety or depression.Conclusion: The prevalence of alcohol consumption among undergraduates of Imo State University Owerri was high, with more males involved than  females.Keywords: Beer, consequences, friends, intake, misuse, student

Pattern of Disease Occurrence among Prisoners in Owerri Central Prison, Imo State, SouthEast Nigeria (A 5-Year Review: 2006-2011)

Background: The history of prison in Nigeria is replete with poor environmental sanitation with associated health deterioration of the inmates. Some people view the situation as being normal, after all the inmates are offenders who do not deserve anything good. As a result, a lot of both communicable and non-communicable diseases occur amongst prisoners following adverse conditions such as poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding, poor feeding, lack of portable water and poor ventilation.Objective: To evaluate the pattern of disease occurrence among prisoners in Owerri central prison. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of the prison inmates’ health records. The study population consisted of 1743 inmates who were incarcerated for various offences during the study period which covered five years (2006 – 2011). Information on their medical conditions and socio-demographic data were obtained from their medical case records. Data collected was calculated manually and analyzed using a computer software (excel sheet). It was presented using frequencies and percentages in tabular form.Result: Malaria and Anaemia (36.4%) were the most prevalent of all the diseases. All patients who had malaria also suffered from anaemia. This was closely followed by upper respiratory tract infections (12.72%), typhoid fever and diarrhoea (10.69%), scabies (8.96%), tuberculosis (1.16%), Gunshot wounds (1.45%) and surgical cases (1.45%) appeared as the least prevalent cases.Conclusion: The study revealed that age, gender and duration of stay were the disposing factors to the occurrence of diseases among the inmates of Owerri central prison.Keywords: Pattern, disease, occurrence, prisoner

Prevalence of and attitude towards needlestick injuries among medical practitioners in Nnewi; South Eastern Nigeria

Study Design and Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of needlestick injuries among medical practitioners inNnewi. To determine the predisposing factors and the attitude of the doctors to this occupational hazard with a view to recommending preventivemeasures and appropriate post exposure actions.Materials and Methods: The study population was the medical practitioners in Nnewi. Data was collected using a self-administered structuredquestionnaire covering 3 years period (January 2003 to December 2005).Results: The overall prevalence of needlestick injuries in the study population was 64. 6%, surgeons had significantly higher episodes ofneedlestick injuries than physicians, 89.3% and 47.1% respectively (P 10years(83.3%), than those that have practiced for less than10years(56.9%). (P< 0.05). 53.7% of the subjects took some post exposure measures, surprisingly only 6.1% reported to the appropriateauthority and 3.7% took any form of post exposure prophylaxis.The physicians recorded a higher percentage of correct attitude score (52.9%) than surgeons (40.5%).Conclusion: The high prevalence of needlestick injuries and the grossly inadequate post exposure measures among medical practitioners inNnewi necessitate the introduction of a comprehensive needlestick enlightenment and prevention programme

Evaluation of the practice of self-medication among undergraduates of Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri, South-East Nigeria

Background: The concept of self-medication entails the use of drugs, herbs or home remedies on an individual’s own initiative or on the advice of another person within his or her environment without consulting a qualified medical health services provider. It is widely practised in both developing and developed countries, and empirical evidence shows that great populations of persons in our communities indulge in the practice.Objective: To evaluate the practice of self-medication among undergraduates of Imo State University Owerri.Methodology: It was a descriptive cross sectional study. Data was obtained using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Results were analyzed and presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts.Results: Only 38.9% of the respondents consulted qualified doctor when ill, the rest (61.1%) practised self-medication or by using drugs recommended by friends, family members or a paramedical worker. Reasons  given for self-medication include cheaper costs (52%), avoidance of delay at the hospital (51.6%), past experience of the efficacy of the drugs (51.9%).Conclusion: Factors that influence self-medication should be addressed by appropriate stakeholders for it to be curbed.Keywords: Analgesics, Antacids, Anti-malarials, Headaches, Medical Scienc