Lipid profile of Type 2 Diabetes patients attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the lipid profile (LP) of type-2 diabetics and non-diabetic patients presenting at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, with a view to assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease among the diabetics. Twenty (20) diabetic and 20 non-diabetic patients (control) formed the study population. Total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) were assayed for each group using standard biochemical methods, while the fasting blood glucose levels of the patients were assayed using the glucose oxidase method. The results showed higher mean TC and HDL-C levels among the diabetic patients than their non-diabetic counterparts and the observed differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean glucose, TG, and LDL-C were equally higher among the diabetics than their non-diabetic counterparts, but in this instance, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Regardless of the high lipid profile levels among the diabetics, the values obtained fell within acceptable range; suggesting that the patients were responding to treatment or life style changes.Keywords: Lipid Profile, Type-2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Teaching Hospita

Service user involvement: impact and participation: a survey of service user and staff perspectives

Background Over the last 20 years governments around the world have promoted user involvement in an effort to improve the quality of health services. Despite the growing emphasis placed on user involvement in England, there is a paucity of recent studies looking at how service users and professionals perceive the outcomes of user involvement policies. This study aimed to examine the overall levels of participation in service user involvement in mental health services among professionals and service users and ascertain their views on the impact of involvement activity on various areas of service delivery. Methods A cross-sectional survey of service users and providers within community mental health services. The sampling was carried out across three mental health Trusts, two serving people living in inner-city areas and a third covering a mixed rural/urban population. A questionnaire with closed and open ended questions was used to gather the responses of service users and frontline professionals. As a mixed methods study, the analysis consisted of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Results Three hundred and two service users responded to the survey with a response rate of 48%. One hundred and forty three frontline mental health professionals, 26.8% of those approached submitted questionnaires. Almost half of service users (N=138, 45.7%,) and healthcare professionals (N=143, 55.9%) reported having been involved in some form of user involvement activity. Although there were some differences in the responses of service users and frontline professionals, both groups reported that service user involvement was having a positive impact. Conclusions The findings show that, within the three mental health trusts examined in this study, service user involvement has become widespread and is perceived by both staff and service users to be a good policy. The study had some important limitations. The questionnaire used was based on existing literature, however it was not subjected to psychometric testing. In addition, response rates were low, particularly among professionals. Despite the limitations, the findings are encouraging, offering important of insight into views and experiences of service users and healthcare staff. Further studies are needed to assess and investigate the topic on a national level

Community-wide distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets can halt transmission of lymphatic filariasis in southeastern Nigeria

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) in rural southeastern Nigeria is transmitted mainly by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. Potential coinfection with Loa loa in this area has prevented use of ivermectin in the mass drug administration (MDA) strategy for LF elimination because of potential severe adverse L. loa-related reactions. This study determined if long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution programs for malaria would interrupt LF transmission in such areas, without need for MDA. Monthly entomologic monitoring was conducted in sentinel villages before and after LLIN distribution to all households and all age groups (full coverage) in two districts, and to pregnant women and children less than five years of age in the other two districts. No change in human LF microfilaremia prevalence was observed, but mosquito studies showed a statistically significant decrease in LF infection and infectivity with full-coverage LLIN distribution. We conclude that LF transmission can be halted in southeastern Nigeria by full-coverage LLIN distribution, without MDA