The LHCb upgrade I

The LHCb upgrade represents a major change of the experiment. The detectors have been almost completely renewed to allow running at an instantaneous luminosity five times larger than that of the previous running periods. Readout of all detectors into an all-software trigger is central to the new design, facilitating the reconstruction of events at the maximum LHC interaction rate, and their selection in real time. The experiment's tracking system has been completely upgraded with a new pixel vertex detector, a silicon tracker upstream of the dipole magnet and three scintillating fibre tracking stations downstream of the magnet. The whole photon detection system of the RICH detectors has been renewed and the readout electronics of the calorimeter and muon systems have been fully overhauled. The first stage of the all-software trigger is implemented on a GPU farm. The output of the trigger provides a combination of totally reconstructed physics objects, such as tracks and vertices, ready for final analysis, and of entire events which need further offline reprocessing. This scheme required a complete revision of the computing model and rewriting of the experiment's software

Role of footcare education in diabetic foot status and glycaemic control among diabetics attending family medicine practice of Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti

Background: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the adult population is rising globally. As the case detection rates of diabetes increase in adult Nigerians, managing the attendant (foot) complications has become an important health challenge. Poor practice of foot care and poor glycaemic control is potential risk for Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU).Objective: To determine the role of foot care education in diabetic foot status and glycaemic control among diabetics attending Family Medicine Practice, Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti.Materials and Methods: Interventional study was performed on 154 adult patients (77 in intervention group and 77 in control group) with diabetes who had been on treatment for at least three months. Relevant data were collected using interviewer administered semistructured questionnaire. ''CARE framework'' tool was used as a patient education guide.Results: The practice of foot care in the intervention group improved to a statistically significant level compared to control group (85.7% vs 23.4%), p < 0.001. There was no statistically significant difference in diabetic foot status between the intervention and the control group after the intervention. However, the glycaemic control was statistically significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001) post-intervention.Conclusion: Foot care education was linked to better foot care practice and improved glycaemic control. Family Physicians will do well by giving foot care education to diabetic patients with a view of improving foot care practice and glycaemic control, and reducing.Keywords: foot status, diabetic foot ulcer, diabetes, foot care, education, glycaemic contro

The impact of knowledge of hypertension on blood pressure control among the elderly hypertensives attending a primary health care facility in Ekiti, South West Nigeria

Background: Little information is available on blood pressure control among the elderly in Nigeria despite the broad knowledge that hypertension is a major health challenge and frequently diagnosed medical condition in this age group. As the case detection rates of hypertension increase in elderly Nigerians, achieving target blood pressure control has become an important management challenge. This study aimed at assessing if adequate hypertension knowledge would lead to blood pressure control in the study population.Objectives: To determine the knowledge of hypertension of the respondents and the changes on blood pressure level post patient education.Methods: This was a case-control study conducted at a Primary health care facility. The study was on 300 elderly hypertensives (150 in the intervention group and 150 in the control group) who had been on antihypertensives for a minimum of three months.Results: While the difference in the mean knowledge score in the intervention group increased to a statistically significant level (p<0.001), there was a marginal difference in the control group (p>0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the blood pressure control of the study groups pre-intervention (p >0.05), but at the end of the study, the intervention respondents (98%) had significantly good blood pressure control in comparison with the control respondents (59.3%). The knowledge level and blood pressure control had significant association among the intervention group (p <0.001).Conclusion: The findings suggest that good knowledge of hypertension is linked to an improvement in the blood pressure control.Keywords: Hypertension, Knowledge, Blood pressure, Elderl

Relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support and Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients Attending General Outpatient Clinic in Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, Nigeria

Background: Despite many approaches to control hypertension, a lot of people still experience challenges keeping their Blood Pressure (BP) under control, and because the condition requires life - long treatment, many patients will need additional effort from their spouses. The spouse shares intimacy with patient and is the chief source of social support that provides fi nancial assistance, reminds and encourages medication use, shows concern and interest by discussing issues related to the disease. Therefore, exploring the relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support (PSSS) and BP control will help the physician and other stakeholders harness the gains of this association to achieving BP control, prevent complications and death associated with hypertension. Objective: To identify the relationship between perceived spousal social support and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a hospital - based cross - sectional study carried out between June and August 2016 among 298 hypertensive patients aged 18 and 65 years attending GOPC of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti. Collection of data was done using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, blood pressure measurement and 4-point Likert Social Support questionnaire to measure the perceived spousal social support. Data was analysed using SPSS IBM version 17.0. Results: Mean age of respondents was 56.0 ± 8.5 years and seventy percent were females with male to female ratio of 1:2.3. Less than half of the respondents, 47.7% and about half of the respondents, 50.3% achieved BP control and demonstrated strong PSSS respectively. There was statistically signifi cant relationship between PSSS and BP control (χ2 = 27.05, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Social support perceived by participants positively infl uenced their BP control. Family Physicians and other health care providers should therefore determine and enhance the level of this support and encourage spouses to provide this support for their partners who have hypertension or those having diffi culty controlling their BP despite the appropriate use their medications

Utilization of pap smear in the prevention of cervical cancer among female health workers at a Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility

Context: Cervical carcinoma is a preventable disease, yet it remains the leading genital tract malignancy among women in sub-Saharan Africa.Objective: To assess awareness, knowledge and utilization of Pap smear as a screening modality for cancer of the cervix among female health workers at Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study, conducted using quantitative methods. A pretested, selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data; all consenting female health workers in the institution were recruited. Ethical approval was obtained from IRB; data analysis was done using SPSS 18,Results: A total of 378 questionnaires were sufficiently filled for analysis, 305 (80.7%) respondents were aware of cancer of the cervix, majority knew it could be prevented and 95.8% demonstrated knowledge on methods of screening for its precursor lesions though only 30.7% were aware of availability of service in their center. Knowledge about Pap smear and type of family was significantly associated, so also were the level of education, professional designation and duration of work experience; utilization of Pap smear screening services was significantly associated with age, marital status and type of marriage; others were educational status, cadre of work and professional experience. It is of note that only 75 (19.8%) of those that were aware of pap smear as a strategy had ever done it; and a number of respondents were not willing to do test even at no cost.Conclusion: The respondents demonstrated good knowledge about available cervical cancer screening services but had poor attitude to utilization of Pap smear screening services. Only a few were willing to perform the test even at no cost to them, reasons for this need to be further evaluated and addressed.Keywords: willingness, utilization, cervical cancer, Pap smear, female health worker

The role of physical exercise in management of depression among adult depressive patients attending family medicine practice of a Federal Teaching Hospital, South west Nigeria

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Relationship between patient satisfaction with medical care and medication non-adherence among hypertensive patients attending a general outpatient department in southwest Nigeria

Background: Medication non-adherence (MNA) is prevalent in hypertension. Patient satisfaction is derived from the patient's appraisal of how well the provider meets his or her personal emotional and physical needs. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with medication non-adherence; and to also ascertain the relationship between patient satisfaction with medical care and medication non-adherence among hypertensive patients. Methods: Cross sectional study which was conducted in the Family Medicine clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. The sample size was 337. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) were the questionnaires used. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The majority {185 (54.9%)} of the hypertensives were in the age-group 45 – 64 years. The male to female ratio was 1:0.67. The largest proportion of the respondents {134 (39.8%)} had low adherence (medication non-adherence), while 104 (30.9%) and 99 (29.3%) had medium and high medication adherence level respectively. Mean satisfaction scores of 3 and above were obtained in the Technical Quality (3.54 ± 0.81), Accessibility and Convenience (3.48 ± 0.87), Communication (3.23 ± 0.95) and Interpersonal Manner (3.09 ± 0.98) subscales. The subscales with mean satisfaction scores of less than 3 were the General Satisfaction (2.82 ± 1.23), Financial Aspects (1.91 ± 0.82), and Time Spent with Doctor (1.85 ± 0.82) which had the least score. There were statistically significant strong positive correlations between medication adherence and each of the seven patient satisfaction subscales. The significant predictors of medication non-adherence were having primary education or no formal education,&nbsp; having monthly income of less than ₦50,000, and being overweight or obese. Conclusion: Physicians should deliver quality care in a way to achieve high ratings of patient satisfaction. This will influence patients to adhere better to their antihypertensive medications. Keywords: Patient satisfaction, medication non-adherence, blood pressure, hypertension, Nigeri

Relationship between patient satisfaction with medical care and medication non-adherence among hypertensive patients attending a general Outpatient Department in southwest Nigeria

Background: Medication non-adherence (MNA) is prevalent in hypertension. Patient satisfaction is derived from the patient's appraisal of how well the provider meets his or her personal emotional and physical needs. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with medication non-adherence; and to also ascertain the relationship between patient satisfaction with medical care and medication non-adherence among hypertensive patients.Methods: Cross sectional study which was conducted in the Family Medicine clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. The sample size was 337. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) were the questionnaires used. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Results: The majority {185 (54.9%)} of the hypertensives were in the age-group 45 – 64 years. The male to female ratio was 1:0.67. The largest proportion of the respondents {134 (39.8%)} had low adherence (medication non-adherence), while 104 (30.9%) and 99 (29.3%) had medium and high medication adherence level respectively. Mean satisfaction scores of 3 and above were obtained in the Technical Quality (3.54 ± 0.81),&nbsp; Accessibility and Convenience (3.48 ± 0.87), Communication (3.23 ± 0.95) and Interpersonal Manner (3.09 ± 0.98) subscales. The subscales with mean satisfaction scores of less than 3 were the General Satisfaction (2.82 ± 1.23), Financial Aspects (1.91 ± 0.82), and Time Spent with Doctor (1.85 ± 0.82) which had the least score. There were statistically significant strong positive correlations between medication adherence and each of the seven patient satisfaction subscales. The significant predictors of medication non-adherence were having primary education or no formal education,&nbsp; having monthly income of less than ₦50,000, and being overweight or obese.Conclusion: Physicians should deliver quality care in a way to achieve high ratings of patient satisfaction. This will influence patients to adhere better to their antihypertensive medications. Keywords: Patient satisfaction, medication non-adherence, blood pressure, hypertension, Nigeri