Comparative Study of the Foot Arch Index Among Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in a South Eastern Nigeria Community: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Objective: Physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy result in biomechanical alterations which result in re-adjustments in the musculoskeletal system. Influence of these changes on the foot during gestation has been understudied. The aim of this study was to compare the arch indexes of pregnant and non-pregnant women and then determine the relationship between arch index and each of gestational age and body mass index (BMI) of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this study, 328 (215 pregnant women in different trimesters and 113 nulliparous women) participants were selected from Enugu in South-Eastern Nigeria. Their arch indexes were obtained from their foot prints. Data was summarized using frequency counts, mean, standard deviation and percentages. Inferential statistics of independent t test and Pearson correlation test were used to determine the differences and relationships among variables with alpha level set at P < 0.05. Results: Results showed that a greater percentage of the pregnant women (57.2% on the right foot and 59.1% on the left foot) had low arches, indicating pes planus as compared to their age-matched nulliparous counterparts (19.5% on the right and 23.3% on the left). Statistical analysis further showed significant differences between the arch indexes of women in both groups. No significant relationship was found among gestational trimesters, BMI and arch index of pregnant women. Conclusion: Pregnant women have lower arch indexes, indicating pes planus, than nulliparous women. Gestational trimesters and BMI had no associations with the arch index during pregnancy

Pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists (Keke Napep riders) in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Tricyclists are continuously exposed to vehicle emissions and other environmental pollutants, due to the nature of their job and vehicle design, which may be hazardous to health. However, there is paucity of data on the pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists in Nigeria, which should have provided insight into any relevant health concerns in this population, hence this study. Objectives: This study evaluated the pulmonary functions of tricyclists, in comparison with those of age-matched non-tricyclists. Methods: Two hundred and ten (210) [150 commercial tricyclists; 60 non-tricyclists] males (aged 20-65years) participated in this unmatched case-control study in Enugu, Enugu state, Nigeria. Their pulmonary functions [Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)] were assessed using a computerized spirometer. Independent T-test and Pearson Chi-square were used to analyze data at a significant level of P&lt;0.05. Results: Cough (46.0%) and dust allergies (40.7%) were the commonest reported respiratory symptoms among tricyclists. There were significant differences in the FVC (P&lt;0.001), FEV1 (P&lt;0.001) and PEFR (P&lt;0.001) between the two groups, with tricyclists showing lower pulmonary function values. FEV1/FVC was &lt;70% with increased FVC in 83.3% of the tricyclists, suggesting restrictive pulmonary abnormalities. Conclusion: Decreased pulmonary function values of commercial tricyclists in this study is suggestive of their predisposition to occupation-related pulmonary disorders, particularly the restrictive patterns

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of Nigerian-based physiotherapists on the utilization of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging in the clinical management of musculoskeletal conditions

Background: Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging (MSUI) is an efficient monitoring and re-evaluation tool used for the management of musculoskeletal conditions in several clinical domains. Its utilization among physiotherapists, particularly in African countries, is yet to be explored. Objective: This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and perception of physiotherapists on the utilization of MSUI in the clinical management of musculoskeletal conditions. Methods: One hundred and ninety-two consenting Nigerian-based physiotherapists practicing in public and private health institutions participated in this cross-sectional survey. They responded to a three-sectioned structured questionnaire, investigating socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and utilization of MSUI for the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test at a significant level of 0.05. Results: The majority (79.2%) of the respondents had positive knowledge of MSUI and its benefits as a clinical modality for managing MSCs. However, only 4.2% had utilized MSUI in clinical practice. Non-utilization of MSUI was commonly attributed to a lack of access to MSUI (60.3%) and its unavailability in most diagnostic centers (42.9%). Almost all (99.0%) of them agreed to the necessity for increased availability of MSUI to physiotherapists for enhancement of physiotherapy interventions in the management of MSCs. Conclusion: Knowledge of MSUI among Nigerian-based physiotherapists is adequate, but its utilization as a clinical tool is poor. Improved availability of MSUI to physiotherapists is necessary as well as specialty training on the utilization and interpretation of MSUI

Evaluation of selected cardiopulmonary and perceived exertion responses to four infant carrying methods utilised by African Mothers

Various infant carrying methods (ICMs) are utilised for childcare. Effects of these ICMs on the cardiopulmonary system are not known. This study evaluated cardiopulmonary and perceptual responses to four ICMs (back, front, side and in-arms) among 30 young females (18–35 years) while walking with a 6 kg simulated infant. Diastolic blood pressure (BP) responses were significantly different (p = .009) across the four ICMs, with the back ICM eliciting highest response. Heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic BP responses were not significantly different (p > .05) across the ICMs. Participants perceived the in-arms ICM as the most exerting. Body weight (p = .036) and body mass index (BMI) (p = .011) significantly correlated with systolic BP responses during the side ICM while age significantly (p = .036) correlated with heart rate changes during the in-arms ICM. Back ICM may pose more risk of diastolic BP dysfunctions. Increased body weight and BMI result in decreased systolic BP responses.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Infant carrying (IC) has been associated with increased energy cost, biomechanical changes and musculoskeletal injuries. There is paucity of data on the cardiopulmonary responses to IC. What do the results of this study add? Back ICM resulted in higher responses in diastolic blood pressure. During the side ICM, participants’ systolic BP decreased with increasing body weight and BMI values. Increased age resulted to decreased heart rate responses during the in-arms ICM. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? There is need for effective monitoring of the cardiopulmonary parameters during IC tasks, especially among women with cardiopulmonary dysfunctions. Women with diastolic dysfunctions should be discouraged from utilising the back ICM. It is necessary for further studies to evaluate infant carrying-related cardiopulmonary responses relative to various components of IC practices, including weight of infant, maternal anthropometric characteristics and duration of IC tasks during each infant carrying method

Infant carrying methods: Correlates and associated musculoskeletal disorders among nursing mothers in Nigeria

Infant carrying is an integral part of the mothering occupation. Paucity of data exists on its correlates and associated musculoskeletal injuries. In this study, factors and musculoskeletal injuries associated with infant carrying were investigated in 227 nursing mothers, using a structured questionnaire. 77.1% utilised the back infant carrying methods (ICM). Maternal comfort was the major factor influencing participants’ (37.4%) choices of ICMs. Infant’s age (p = .000) and transportation means (p = .045) were significantly associated with ICMs. Low back pain (82.8%) and upper back pain (74.9%) were the most reported musculoskeletal discomforts associated with ICMs, especially among women who utilised back ICM. Back ICM is predominantly used by nursing mothers.Impact statement Infant carrying has been associated with increased energy cost and biomechanical changes. Currently, there is a paucity of data on infant carrying-related musculoskeletal injuries. In this study, investigating factors and musculoskeletal injuries associated with infant carrying, the results showed that back infant carrying method is predominantly used by nursing mothers. Age of the infant and mothers’ means of transportation were determinant factors of infant carrying methods. Among the several reported infant carrying-related musculoskeletal disorders, low back and upper back pain were the most prevalent, especially among women who utilised the back infant carrying method. There is need for women’s health specialists to introduce appropriate ergonomic training and interventions on infant carrying tasks in order to improve maternal musculoskeletal health during the childbearing years and beyond. Further experimental studies on the effects of various infant carrying methods on the musculoskeletal system are recommended