Knowledge and practice of hypertensive patients as seen in a tertiary hospital in the middle belt of Nigeria

No Abstract

Abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in southwestern Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Though the major target of the HIV-virus is the immune system, the frequency of abdominal disorders in HIV/AIDS patients has been reported to be second only to pulmonary disease. These abdominal manifestations may be on the increase as the use of antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. Ultrasonography is an easy to perform, non invasive, inexpensive and safe imaging technique that is invaluable in Africa where AIDS is most prevalent and where sophisticated diagnostic tools are not readily available. Purpose: To describe the findings and evaluate the clinical utility of abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in Ibadan, Nigeria</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Prospective evaluation of the abdominal ultrasonography of 391 HIV-positive patients as well as 391 age and sex-matched HIV-negative patients were carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 391 cases studied, 260 (66.5%) were females; the mean age was 38.02 years, (range 15–66 years). The disease was most prevalent in the 4th decade with an incidence of 40.4%. Compared with the HIV-negative individuals, the HIV+ group of patients had a significantly higher proportion of splenomegaly (13.5% vs. 7.7%; p < 0.01), lymphadenopathy (2.0% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.70), and renal abnormalities (8.4% vs. 3.8%; p < 0.02). There were no differences in hepatic and pancreatic abnormalities between the HIV+ and HIV- groups. There were significantly fewer gallstones in the HIV+ group (1.4% vs. 5.1%; p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AIDS is a multi-systemic disease and its demographic and clinical pattern remains the same globally. Ultrasonography is optimally suited for its clinical management especially in Africa. Its accuracy and sensitivity may be much improved with clinico-pathologic correlation which may not be readily available in developing countries; further studies may provide this much needed diagnostic algorithms.</p

Antihypertensive therapy among hypertensive patients as seen in the middle belt of Nigeria

No Abstract Available Key words: hypertension, drugs, therapy, Nigerians I>Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(4) 2004: 177-18

Glycated haemoglobin and glycaemic control of diabetics in Ilorin

No Abstract

Predictors of Menopausal Symptoms Severity among Women in Ilorin, Nigeria

Many factors affect the way women perceive menopausal symptoms but these factors have not been adequately studied in our locality. The aim of this study was to identify clinical, psychological, social and demographic factors that predict menopausal symptoms severity among women in Ilorin, Nigeria. Three hundred and eighty-five women between the ages 40 and 55years who had been amenorrheic naturally for at least 12 months were randomly interviewed with standardized questionnaires containing, socio-demographic data, medical history, gynaecological history and psychosocial evaluation. Their menopause symptom severity was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Correlation between MRS scores and numeric variables were tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficients while chi square statistics was used to test association between categorical variables and severe menopause. Regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. Joint pain was the most severe symptom perceived followed by low libido and hot flushes. The mean total MRS Score was 14.02 showing a generally mild perception. While 15.1% were categorized as “asymptomatic”, 40% had severe symptoms while the others had mild to moderate symptoms. Menopause severity was strongly associated positively with age, negatively with psychosocial factors such as childhood experience, family support, societal support, health care, food, transportation among others. Socio-economic status, educational status and presence of co-morbid conditions like diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure as well as use of contraceptives also had significant impact. However, the only independent predictors were old age and lack of social support Keywords:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Menopausal symptoms, Women, Predictors, Severity, Nigeri

Prevalence And Socio-Demographic Determinants Of Obesity Among Adults In An Urban Nigerian Population

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of obesity among adults in an urban Nigerian population. Subjects and methods: We recruited 810 subjects between the ages of 18 to 65 years by the multi-stage cluster sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data's. The body weight (kg) and height (m) of subjects were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 9.8% and overweight was 35.1 %. Out of the 79 obese subjects, 24.1% were males and 75.9% were females, the male to female ratio was 1:3. Obesity was strongly associated with female gender, subjects age &#8805; 40 years and marriage, while educational attainment and socioeconomic class were not significantly associated with the diagnosis of obesity. The socio-demographic determinants of obesity among adult in this urban Nigerian population were female gender, marriage and age &#8805; 40 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was low when compared to the developed countries. However, it is imperative to increase the awareness of the disease among the populace. Keywords: Prevalence, Socio-demographic, Determinants, Obesity, Adult, Urban, Nigerian Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 11 (2) 2008: pp. 61-6

The urgent need for universally applicable simple screening procedures and diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus--lessons from projects funded by the World Diabetes Foundation

Background: To address the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes and future type 2 diabetes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), its early detection and timely treatment is essential. In the absence of an international consensus, multiple different guidelines on screening and diagnosis of GDM have existed for a long time. This may be changing with the publication of the recommendations by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. However, none of these guidelines take into account evidence from or ground realities of resource-poor settings. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether GDM projects supported by the World Diabetes Foundation in developing countries utilize any of the internationally recommended guidelines for screening and diagnosis of GDM, explore experiences on applicability and usefulness of the guidelines and barriers if any, in implementing the guidelines. These projects have reached out to thousands of pregnant women through capacity building and improvement of access to GDM screening and diagnosis in the developing world and therefore provide a rich field experience on the applicability of the guidelines in resource-poor settings. Design: A mixed methods approach using questionnaires and interviews was utilised to review 11 GDM projects. Two projects were conducted by the same partner; interviews were conducted in person or via phone by the first author with nine project partners and one responded via email. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Results: The projects use seven different screening procedures and diagnostic criteria and many do not completely adhere to one guideline alone. Various challenges in adhering to the recommendations emerged in the interviews, including problems with screening women during the recommended time period, applicability of some of the listed risk factors used for (pre-)screening, difficulties with reaching women for testing in the fasting state, time consuming nature of the tests, intolerance to high glucose load due to nausea, need for repeat tests, issues with scarcity of test consumables and lack of equipment making some procedures impossible to follow. Conclusion: Though an international consensus on screening and diagnosis for GDM is welcome, it should ensure that the recommendations take into account feasibility and applicability in low resource settings to ensure wider usage. We need to move away from purely academic discussions focusing on sensitivity and specificity to also include what can actually be done at the basic care level