Successful ageing and trajectories of health among New Zealand older adults.

Background The goal of this thesis is to explain and examine successful ageing using disease conditions, functional capacity, life engagement, and health-related quality of life using longitudinal data, and to examine New Zealand older adults’ successful ageing trajectories. For an individual, successful ageing is defined in terms of having fewer diseases or no multimorbidity, high functional capacity, active life engagement, and good health-related quality of life. As successful ageing is on a continuum, it can be best assessed through data obtained from longitudinal studies. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted based on data from the ongoing New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement (NZHWR) Study. In the NZHWR study, 1,433 older adults recruited at the baseline in 2006 and followed up for 12 years through seven waves of data collection were included. A metric of successful ageing was constructed through the addition of the number of disease conditions, physical functioning, role emotional, life engagement, and physical and mental component summary scores. This gave a successful ageing score ranging from zero to six. Latent growth curve modelling (LGCM) was used to assess the growth factors (intercept and rate of change (slope)) of successful ageing trajectories of older adults. Multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) models were used within the LGCM to examine the effect of age, sex, and ethnicity on the growth factors. Results The majority of the participants were females (54.6%), New Zealand European (61.3%), and the mean age and standard deviation at the seventh wave were 72.8 years and 4.4 years. The mean successful ageing score was 3.53 in 2006 and decreased by 0.064 every year as a linear function. Those who had a higher successful ageing score at baseline had a slower decline. The mean successful ageing scores were significantly lower at baseline among females than males ( = -0.191, p = 0.013), among those in the older age group than the younger age group ( = -0.021, p = 0.017), and among M¯aori ( = -0.458, p < 0.001), Pacific Peoples ( = -1.490, p = 0.007) compared with New Zealand European. However, age was the only significant predictor in explaining the linear growth trend of successful ageing ( = -0.005, p < 0.001). The fit measures (RMSEA = 0.038, 95%CI: 0.031–0.045, CFI = 0.977, TLI/NNFI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.025) showed that the conditional model fit the data and was better than the null model. Conclusion Young older adults, males, and New Zealand Europeans were observed to experience successful ageing more. The ethnic differences suggest the possibility of inequalities in the factors that promote successful ageing among New Zealand European and non-European. Factors that promote successful ageing among the ethnic groups in New Zealand need to be identified and culturally appropriate models of successful ageing developed. Ageing is a life-long process, and it can best be explained by taking a life-course approach to the roles policies, early and midlife experiences, and the environment play

FACTORS INFLUENCING AND DANGERS OF CRIMINAL ABORTION AMONG TEENAGERS IN A SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Abortion poses a huge threat and burden to women’s reproductive health most especially in countries where it is illegal. About 210 million pregnancies occur every year all over the world, 80 million are unwanted, 46 million end in induced abortion and nearly 20 million are estimated to be unsafe resulting in the death of 80,000 women annually. An estimated 1.2 million induced abortion take place annually in Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the knowledge of teenagers in a senior secondary school on what they perceive to be the dangers of and factors responsible for criminal abortion. Results: Majority of the students were females (73.3%), within ages 16-19 years (51.3%), Christians (49.3%) and Yorubas (56.7%). Poverty (72.7%), early start of sexual activities (56.7%) and ignorance (50.7%) were the most implicated factors for criminal abortion. Most of the students see death (88.7%), infection (80%) and perforated uterus (79.3%) as dangers of criminal abortion. Conclusion: Abortion still remains an issue of public health concern in Nigeria. It is clear that there is high prevalence of unsafe abortions with its attendant morbidity and mortality in Nigeria We recommend that besides teenagers’ knowledge of the dangers of abortion, other components of sex education such as abstinence and contraception should be introduced into secondary schools’ education curriculum. Community sensitization and availability of contraception will also go a long way in reducing the possibility of girls and women engaging in criminal abortion

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Current Depressive Symptoms among Staff of a Public University in Malaysia

Introduction: Depression is an important global public health problem and one of the most common and serious mental disorders. It initiates with the presentation of symptoms before it progresses to a lifetime disorder. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with current depressive symptoms among university staff of a public university in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a probability proportionate to size sampling method to select 683 academic and non-academic staff. A structured validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 14.9% (19.0% among males, 12.5% among females). Gender, age, marital status, monthly family income and self-esteem were significantly associated with current depressive symptoms (p<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that male gender (AOR = 2.04; 95%CI 1.29, 3.20) and younger age (AOR = 2.79; 95%CI 1.16, 6.76) were predictors of current depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 14.9% (19.0% among males, 12.5% among females) among university staff. A mental health promotion intervention is needed to prevent the threat depression poses on the health of the university staff

A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study to Assess Pressure Ulcer Knowledge and Pressure Ulcer Prevention Attitudes of Nurses in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Globally, higher-than-expected pressure ulcer rates generally are considered a quality-of-care indicator. Nigeria currently has no national guidelines for pressure ulcer risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the pressure ulcer knowledge and the attitude of nurses regarding pressure ulcer prevention in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. During a period of 2 months, nurses were recruited to complete a 25-item paper/pencil survey that included participant demographic information (6 items), pressure ulcer knowledge questions (11 items), and statements on participants’ attitude toward pressure ulcer prevention (8 items). Data were entered manually into statistical analysis software, analyzed, and presented using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). The majority of the 90 nurse participants were female (60, 66.7%), 45 (50%) were married, and 75 (83.3%) had 1 to 10 years’ experience in nursing practice; 69 (76.7%) had received special training on pressure ulcer prevention. Overall, 58 (64.4%) nurses had correct pressure ulcer knowledge and 67 (74.4%) had a positive attitude toward preventing pressure ulcers. However, 56 nurses (62.2%) disagreed with regular rescreening of patients whom they deemed not at risk of developing pressure ulcer, and 70 (77.8%) believed pressure ulcer prevention should be the joint responsibility of both nurses and relatives of the patients. Thus, the majority of the 90 nurses knew the factors responsible for pressure ulcers and how to prevent them, but nurses need to be orientated to the fact that pressure ulcer risk screening of all patients with limited mobility is an integral part of their job and that it is important that nurses enlighten patients and their relatives on how to prevent pressure ulcers

Awareness and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Workers in an Agro-allied Company in Nigeria

Cardiovascular diseases have significantly increased in the last century becoming the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Work, worksite situations and practices are known to influence cardiovascular risk factors, hence the aim of this study to assess the awareness and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among workers in an agro-allied industry in Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out to find out those with cardiovascular risk factors. Data were collected using an interviewer-assisted questionnaire developed using the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk surveillance. The mean age of the respondents was 34 ± 9.7 years. More than half 303 (59.4) of the respondents had high awareness of cardiovascular risk factors. Of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, 6.9% were current daily smokers, 15.1% abuse alcohol, 89.8% engaged in unhealthy diet, 66.5% do not engage in moderate/vigorous physical activities, 14.5% had family history of cardiovascular diseases, 17.8%% were overweight/obese and 37.1% were hypertensive. Overall, 64.5% of the respondents were classified as having low risk of developing cardiovascular diseases while about 30.4% had moderate risk and 2.7% had high risk. We recommend that health education regarding cardiovascular diseases risk factors be delivered periodically

Awareness and Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in an Urban Area in Southwestern Nigeria

Introduction: Cancer of the cervix is the commonest cause of cancer death in women worldwide. This study assessed the awareness level and pattern of utilization of cervical cancer screening test among women of different professions in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used and respondents were selected from four different professions. Results: About 40% of respondents had heard of cervical cancer prior to the survey and only 40.5% were aware of cervical screening tests. Among those who were aware of the screening tests, 16% had ever utilized cervical cancer screening tests. Conclusion: This study established low cervical cancer awareness level and low utilization rate of cervical cancer screening among respondents. Therefore, there is need for sustained and concerted community health awareness most importantly at the grassroots in order to increase awareness and utilization rate of cervical cancer screening among the sampled populace

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women Attending Selected Health Centres in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Introduction: This study assessed birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) and its associated factors among pregnant woman attending selected health care facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Two hundred and six pregnant women were randomly selected from four health care facilities. Data were analysed using descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of BP/CR was 70.6% (n = 125). About 149 (81%) already identified a place of delivery, 114 (62%) identified skilled birth attendant, and 160 (87%) saved money for delivery. However only 30 (16.3%) of the respondents made arrangement for blood donor in case of emergency. Religion, parity, and knowledge of at least two obstetric danger signs were significantly associated with the extent of BP/CR practice. Being a Christian (AOR = 6.15, 95% CI: 1.65 – 22.97) and having knowledge of at least two obstetric danger signs (AOR = 5.80, 95% CI: 1.81 – 18.56) were significant predictors of good BP/CR practices. Conclusions: Health care providers should stress the importance of identifying blood donor in case of emergency and antenatal clinics should be goal - and client-oriented and time effective. BP/CR should be made an integral part of maternal and child health services as the occurrences of complications during the process of childbirth are unpredictable

Awareness and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Workers in an Agro-allied Company in Nigeria

Cardiovascular diseases have significantly increased in the last century becoming the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Work,worksite situations and practices are known to influence cardiovascular risk factors, hence the aim of this study to assess the awareness and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among workers in an agro-allied industry in Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out to find out those with cardiovascular risk factors. Data were collected using an interviewer-assisted questionnaire developed using the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk surveillance. The mean age of the respondents was 34 ± 9.7 years. More than half 303 (59.4) of the respondents had high awareness of cardiovascular risk factors. Of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, 6.9% were current daily smokers, 15.1% abuse alcohol, 89.8% engaged in unhealthy diet, 66.5% do not engage in moderate/vigorous physical activities, 14.5% had family history of cardiovascular diseases, 17.8%% were overweight/obese and 37.1% were hypertensive. Overall, 64.5% of the respondents were classified as having low risk of developing cardiovascular diseases while about 30.4% had moderate risk and 2.7% had high risk. We recommend that health education regarding cardiovascular diseases risk factors be delivered periodically

Optimization of amylase and lipase enzymes produced by Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis isolated from waste dumpsites

The enzyme amylase is one of the most important in biotechnology, and lipase operates as a catalytic agent for a broad range of hydrolytic and synthetic activities. This study aimed to assess the optimization of amylase and lipase enzyme produced by microorganisms isolated from selected waste or garbage dumpsite in Akure, Ondo State Nigeria. The isolates were identified using biochemical and cultural characteristics. A total of seven bacterial isolates were identified and quantitative production of amylase and lipase by solid-state fermentation was assessed for each bacterial isolate. The optimization of nutritional and environmental parameters on enzymes produced by the isolated organisms was standardized with respect to incubation time, temperature, pH, and carbon and nitrogen sources. The activity of the enzymes generated was determined by spectrophotometric assay.  Of the seven organisms isolated, Bacillus cereus LA326 and Bacillus subtilis AU021 had the highest amylase and lipase activity and were therefore chosen for further research. The maximum level of amylase and lipase activity attained by B. subtilis AU021 was 68.0 mmol/min and 16.3 mmol/min after 18 hours of incubation respectively, while the maximum levels of amylase and lipase activity attained by B. cereus LA326 were found to be 76 mmol/min after 12 hours and 16.3mmol/min after 18 hours of incubation, respectively. The study found that B. cereus and B. subtilis isolated from dumpsites could be efficient producers of biotechnology-relevant enzymes and that environmental conditions could influence their enzyme production

Cardiovascular Diseases among Agro-Allied Company Workers in Nigeria: A Case Control Study

Mortality arising from cardiovascular diseases among the workforce in developing countries has been reported to be about twice as high as the mortality in developed countries and tends to occur much earlier than in the developed countries. A nested case-control study design was employed. The mean age of the respondents was 34 ± 9.7 years. The respondents were mostly males (90.6%), 65.1% were married and 83.1% were of the Yoruba ethnicity. Majority of the respondents (67.3%) were Christians and 83.7% had secondary education and above. Age, marital status, salary grade and religion were statistically associated with CVD status (p < 0.05). Being an office worker, earning the lowest income, being less than 50 years of age were significant predictors of CVD risk factors (p<0.05). Educational and behavioural intervention need to be implemented to encourage adoption of healthy lifestyle so as to reduce the cardiovascular risk factors among workers