Modifiable risk factors of hypertension and socio demographic profile in Oghara, Delta state; prevalence and correlates

Background: Factors associated with the development of hypertension can be categorized into modifiable and non‑modifiable risk factors. The modifiable risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, high salt diet, smoking alcohol consumption and others. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension in a rural community; Oghara and to ascertain if any association exists with these risk factors and socio‑demographic variables. Subjects and Methods: Descriptive cross‑sectional study design was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of 6 months (Feburary 2012 to August 2012). Cluster sampling was utilized to select a total of 272 respondents for the study. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data and data analysis was performed by SPSS version 16.0 (Chicago II, USA). Results: The prevalence of hypertension is 21.0% (57/272), while the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension such as smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity are 15.8% (43/272), 43.4% (118/272) and 18.8% (51/272) respectively. There is a statistical significant association between hypertension and smoking (P < 0.001), as well as hypertension and alcohol. (P < 0.001), on the other hand socio‑demographic variables were significantly associated with smoking (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study showed high prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension. This underscores the need for preventive efforts to encourage changes in life style pattern in order to reverse the impending epidemic of hypertension and other non‑communicable diseases.Keywords: Delta State, Hypertension, Modifiable risk factors, Oghar

Injection safety practices among resident doctors in a tertiary health facility in Benin City

Introduction: Unsafe injections are a major source of infection with blood borne pathogens including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus. World Health Organization estimates the burden of disease associated with unsafe injection practices to be about 1.3 million early deaths, loss of about 26 million years of life and an annual burden of 535 million US dollars in direct medical costs. The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of needle stick injury and the level of reporting among resident doctors in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin.Methodology: A descriptive cross.sectional study was carried out from September 2009 to March 2010 among 152 resident doctors in a tertiary health facility in Benin City. The study population was stratified based on their specialty of training. Proportional allocation was applied to obtain the number of participants to be selected from each stratum. Self.administered questionnaire was used to collect data and analysis was by Statistical  Package for Scientific Solution (SPSS) version 16.0. (IBM SPSS solution for Education)Result: The prevalence of needle stick injury among the respondents was 61.8%. The most frequent reason for non.reporting was; the injury was due to a clean needle 68.9%. Awareness of reporting was 92.1% but the level of reporting was 14.9%.Conclusion: The prevalence of needle stick injury was high, awareness of reporting was high but the level of reporting was low. Behavior change communication models are required to bring about a positive change in the practice of reporting.Key words: Injection safety, resident doctors, University of Benin Teaching Hospita

Lifestyle Changes and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer among Immigrants in the United Kingdom: Reflections and Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health challenge in developed countries and an emerging public health problem in developing countries. There is the established association between lifestyle and colorectal cancer globally. Scientific observations have shown low prevalence of this cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, South Asia and the Caribbean. This is not so for Australasia, North America and Western Europe where the prevalence of colorectal cancer is high. Evidence have shown that migrant populations from low risk regions to countries in North America, Europe and Australasia have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in their newly found environment as a result of lifestyle transitions as well as these populations contributing to the burden of the disease and public health challenges in their immigrant countries. More so over the past few decades, large transitions have occurred in lifestyle in the countries of origin of these migrants and these transitions reflect in epidemiological outcomes such as; changes in average stature, body composition and observed changes in disease patterns such that these developing countries that were saddled with burdens of communicable disease (CDs) are gradually acquiring non-communicable disease (NCDs) in high proportions particularly; diabetes, cancers etc; hence the double burden of disease. Importantly, as globalization and the proliferation of “Westernized” life style continues, it is becoming increasingly common to observe in these developing countries a battle with century old issues of CDs in addition to emerging health epidemics such as cancers. It is based on this that this paper through a review of literature, discusses the risk of CRC among migrants in the UK, its' impact on the health systems and lessons for sub-Saharan Africa.Keywords: Life style; Transitions; Colorectal Cance

Knowledge, attitude and utilization of contraception among nursing students in tertiary health facilities in Nigeria

Background: An unplanned or unwanted pregnancy is one of the contributory factors to maternal mortality in developing countries as some of these results in abortions performed in unsafe environments. As part of design to improve women's access to family planning services a need assessment survey was carried out to determine the knowledge and attitude of nursing students of two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria on contraception as well as ascertain their contraceptive utilization.Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study design was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of 7 months. A total population of 200 was selected for the study. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: The mean age of respondents in Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) was 25±5 years, compared to 23±4 years for University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). In DELSUTH 87% were single compared to 89% in UBTH (p>0.05). Respondents with good knowledge of contraception were 65.0% in DELSUTH compared to 63.0% in UBTH (p>0.05) while contraceptive utilization was 58.0% and 59.0% respectively.Conclusion: Contraceptive utilization in the two populations is fair. There is the need to further improve its uptake.Keywords: Comparative Assessment; Contraception; Nursing student

Injection safety practices among Nurses in a Tertiary Health Facility in Delta State, Nigeria

Background: The burden of unsafe injection practices is borne by the health care workers, patients and the community. High burden of injection has been found in Nigeria and this places Nigerians at an increased risk of blood borne infections. We report the prevalence of needle stick injury among nurses in a teaching hospitalMethods: A descriptive cross sectional study carried out over a period of 8 months (April to November 2013) involving 153 nurses in Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) using an interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: The frequency of needle stick injury among the nurses was 57.5%, the level of reporting was 39.5%, while the level of knowledge on injection safety practices was 56.9%.Conclusion: The frequency of needle stick injury was high, compared to a relative low reporting of the incidence. There is therefore need for the management of the hospital to have a laid down reporting procedure and also educate the workers on the action to take in the event of an exposure.Keywords: Injection safety practices; Nurses; Teaching hospita