The risk of obstructive sleep apnea and its association with indices of general and abdominal obesity in a Nigerian family practice clinic: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence of high risk of OSA and investigated which anthropometric measure best predicts the OSA risk among patients attending a family practice clinic in a tertiary hospital. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 362 consecutive patients (64% females; median age of 54 years). OSA risk was assessed by the Berlin Questionnaire and the patients were divided into two groups according to OSA risk: high and low risk. Anthropometric measurements were conducted as stated in the protocol established in the 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: Out of 362 participants, 84 [23.2% (95% CI 19.0%, 28.0%)] had high risk of OSA. Subjects with a high risk of OSA had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (24.9 vs 23.8, p = 0.002; 89.0 vs 84.0, p < 0.001; 95.0 vs 91.0, p < 0.001; 0.56 vs 0.52, p < 0.001, respectively). Body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-height ratio performed similarly in predicting high risk of OSA with Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.661, 95% CI (0.592,0.730); 0.659, 95% CI (0.596,0.723); 0.668, 95% CI (0.604,0.733); 0.659 95% CI (0.592,0.725) respectively. The AUCs were similar when the analysis was restricted to those who were overweight. Conclusion: High risk of OSA is moderately prevalent in this population, with measures of central and abdominal adiposity equally predicting the risk

Assessment of knowledge and practice of oxygen therapy among doctors and nurses: A survey from Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria

Objectives: Oxygen is among the commonly used drugs in acute emergencies. Prescription and administration of oxygen in emergencies by healthcare providers are reported to be inappropriate in most settings. There is a huge gap in the knowledge of health-care providers on various aspects of oxygen therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of oxygen therapy among doctors and nurses working in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria and see how it compares with standard practice with a view to improving the quality care in this regard.Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. The data were collected electronically using the Monkey survey application from consenting doctors and nurses through a self-administered validated and structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included the professional characteristics, educational background, awareness and use of oxygen therapy guidelines, knowledge of oxygen, indication for acute oxygen, and oxygen delivery practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and association between variables explored with Chi-square test at P < 0.05.Results: One hundred and seventy-six health workers participated in the study with mean age of 37.30 ± 8.88 years. One hundred and twelve (63.60%) of the respondents were doctors while 64 (36.40%) of the respondents were nurses. Sixty-eight (60.70%) of the doctors and 19 (29.70%) of nurses had a high level of knowledge of oxygen therapy (p<0.001). About half of both doctors and nurses had a poor practice level of oxygen therapy. The duration of oxygen administration (how long ago the respondent was involved in oxygen use and previous to formal training on oxygen therapy) were significantly associated with level of knowledge of oxygen therapy (p<0.001, 0.017).Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that the level of knowledge was high in about half of the respondents and about the same percentage had poor oxygen therapy practice in hospitals in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. Therefore, regular training of healthcare workers should be encouraged to update their knowledge and practice of oxygen therapy

Assessment of Asthma Control Using Asthma Control Test (ACT) and it Relationship with Lung Function Parameters Assessment of Asthma Control Using Asthma Control Test (ACT) and it Relationship with Lung Function Parameters

ABSTRACT Background: Bronchial Asthma is a disease with increasing global significance. Its prevalence is projected to increase to 400 million by the year 2025 as compared to the present estimate of 300 million. Previously asthma was assessed mainly in terms of symptoms and measures of lung functions but more recently these indices have not been able to reflect the true state of the asthmatics. The focus is now shifting to an assessment and treatment approach based on control. Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a validated, simple and inexpensive instrument to assess control among patients with bronchial asthma. However, its relationship with lung function parameters is yet to be demonstrated among Nigerian asthmatic patients. Aim: The study aimed at assessing asthma control using ACT scores and to determine its relationship with lung function parameters among persons with asthma in a university respiratory clinic