Knowledge and attitude towards mental disorders among adults in an urban community in south-west Nigeria

BackgroundMental disorders are one of the most ignored public health issues worldwide. However, the burden associated with mental disorders is ever increasing and poses a major threat to health, social interactions and the economy of both developed and developing countries.Aim To assess the knowledge of adults residing in an urban local government area in Lagos, south-west Nigeria, with regards to mental health and investigate their attitudes towards this condition.Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 242 adults who were subsequently interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data was collected and analysed using Epi Info statistical software version 7. Associations between socio-demographic variables and the knowledge and attitudes of subjects with regards to mental disorders were assessed using chi-square tests at a significance level of 0.05. ResultsAlmost all respondents (95.5%) in this study were aware of mental disorders while 31.0% were related to someone with a mental disorder. Approximately half of the respondents (51.2%) had poor knowledge of mental disorders while the majority (90.0%) had positive attitudes. There was a significant and positive association between having a relative with a mental disorder and the level of knowledge (P=0.010).ConclusionAnalyses identified knowledge gaps in the community in terms of mental disorders in the community. We recommend that health workers should develop ways to educate the community with regards to the causes, symptoms, effects and treatment options for mental disorders

The vasorelaxant effect of viscum album leaf extract is nediated by calcium-dependent mechanisms

Viscum album leaf extract has a folk reputation as an antihypertensive agent in Nigeria. Evidence suggests that it has a relaxant effect on smooth muscle. The present study was designed to investigate the role of calcium in the vasorelaxant effect of this extract. Concentration response studies to noradrenaline, KCl and CaCl2 were carried out in rat aortic rings with and without the extract in physiological salt solution (n=6 each). Also the role of intracellular calcium mobilisation was studied by measuring the phasic response to noradrenaline in Ca2+-free EGTA physiological salt solution (n=6). The contractile responses to noradrenaline or KCl were attenuated (

The effect of cement dust exposure on haematological and liver function parameters of cement factory workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

This study measured haematological and liver function parameters in workers occupationally exposed to cement dust in order to test the hypothesis that cement dust exposure may perturb these functions. Assessment of haematological parameters and liver function were performed in 23 workers occupationally exposed to cement dust(mean years of exposure = 9.6± 1.5 years) and 46 matched unexposed controls. The haemoglobin concentration (P< 0.001) and packed cell volume (P< 0.02) of exposed workers were significantly lower and the platelet (

Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations in aortic rings obtained from hypertensive hooded (Aguti) rats.

Experimental hypertension studies are few in the hooded (Aguti) rat. The present study was designed to investigate the usefulness of this rat strain for experimental hypertension studies and to test the hypothesis that the hypertension may be associated with a diminution of endothelium dependent and independent relaxations. Hypertension was induced in inbred hooded rats (n=8 each) by administering 8% salt in the diet and /or 100 mg/kg/day Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (LNAME) in the drinking water for six and/or four weeks respectively. The rats were anaesthetized using a 25% urethane and 1% chloralose mixture given intraperitoneally at a dose of 5mg/kg. Their blood pressure was measured invasively. Thereafter, relaxations of rat aortic preparations to acetylcholine, histamine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed using standard organ bath conditions.

The Aqueous Calyx Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Lowers Blood Pressure and Heart Rate via Sympathetic Nervous System Dependent Mechanisms

Summary: The antihypertensive effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) has been validated in animals and man. This study tested the hypothesis that its hypotensive effect may be sympathetically mediated. The cold pressor test (CPT) and handgrip exercise (HGE) were performed in 20 healthy subjects before and after the oral administration of 15mg/Kg HS. The blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses were measured digitally. Mean arterial pressure (MAP; taken as representative BP) was calculated. Results are expressed as mean ±SEM. P&lt;0.05 was considered significant. CPT without HS resulted in a significant rise in MAP and HR (111.1±2.1mmHg and 100.8±2.0/min) from the basal values (97.9±1.9mmHg and 87.8±2.1/min; P&lt;0.0001 respectively). In the presence of HS, CPT-induced changes (ΔMAP=10.1±1.7mmHg; ΔHR= 8.4±1.0/min) were significantly reduced compared to its absence (ΔMAP= 13.2±1.2mmHg; ΔHR= 13.8±1.6/min; P&lt;0.0001 respectively). The HGE done without HS also resulted in an increase in MAP and HR (116.3±2.1mmHg and 78.4±1.2/min) from the basal values (94.8±1.6mmHg and 76.1±1.0/min; p&lt;0.0001 respectively). In the presence of HS the HGE-induced changes (ΔMAP= 11.5±1.0mmHg; ΔHR= 3.3±1.0/min) were significantly decreased compared to its absence (ΔMAP=21.4±1.2mmHg; ΔHR= 12.8±2.0/min; P&lt;0.0001 respectively). The CPT and HGE -induced increases in BP and HR suggest Sympathetic nervous system activation. These increases were significantly dampened by HS suggesting, indirectly, that its hypotensive effect may be due to an attenuation of the discharge of the sympathetic nervous system.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Cold pesssor test, Hand grip exercise, Blood pressure, Heart rat

Effect of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cardiovascular Parameters in Apparently Healthy Individuals

Summary: Since cell phones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs), this study tested the hypothesis that cell phones placed near the heart may interfere with the electrical rhythm of the heart or affect the blood pressure. Following informed consent, eighteen randomly selected apparently healthy male volunteers aged 21.44 ± 0.53 years had their blood pressure, pulse rates and ECG measured before and after acute exposure to a cell phone. The ECG parameters obtained were: heart rate (HR), QRS complex duration (QRS), PR interval (PR) and Corrected QT interval (QTc). Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical analyses were done using two-tailed paired t test for blood pressure and pulse rate data and one way ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey test for the ECG data. P&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. The blood pressure and pulse rates before and after exposure to the cell phone showed no significant difference. The ECG parameters (HR: beats/min, QRS:ms, PR:ms and QTc respectively) did not differ before (66.33 ± 2.50, 91.78 ± 1.36, 151.67 ± 5.39 and 395.44 ± 4.96), during (66.33 ± 2.40, 91.11 ± 1.61, 153.67 ± 5.06 and 394.33 ± 4.05) and after calls (67.22 ± 2.77, 91.11 ± 1.67, 157.44 ± 4.46 and 396.56 ± 4.93) compared to baseline (67.17 ± 2.19, 94.33 ± 1.57, 150.56 ± 4.93 and 399.56 ± 3.88). These results suggest that acute exposure to EMFs from cell phones placed near the heart may not interfere with the electrical activity of the heart or blood pressure in healthy individuals.Keywords: Cell phone radio waves, Blood pressure, Electrocardiogramme

Anemia And It\u27s Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Kuwait

We estimated the prevalence of anemia among school children and investigated factors associated with this problem in Kuwait. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1415 adolescents randomly selected from middle schools in Kuwait. Hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, folate and vitamin B-12, in addition to many other laboratory indicators, were measured in a venous blood sample. Data on risk factors for anemia were collected from parents and adolescents. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 8.06% (95% CI: 6.69-9.60%), which was significantly higher among females compared to males (10.96% vs. 5.04%; p \u3c 0.001). Mean (SD) Hb level was 133.7 (9.89) g/L and 130.00 (10.48) g/L among males and females, respectively (p \u3c 0.001). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anemia was 5.94%, 1.91% and 0.21%, respectively. Gender, age, iron concentration and ferritin were associated with anemia in multivariable analysis. These data indicate that anemia among school children in Kuwait is of mild public health significance. Further reduction in anemia in school girls should focus on correcting iron deficiency. Surveillance systems for anemia may consider using a cut-off point that is specific for the method of blood sampling and the method of Hb measurement

Season of Birth and Sugary Beverages Are Predictors of Raven\u27s Standard Progressive Matrices Scores in Adolescents

To investigate factors associated with cognitive functioning in healthy adolescents, a school-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1370 adolescents aged 11-16 years that were randomly selected from all governorates of Kuwait. Raven\u27s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), a non-verbal test of intelligence, was used to measure cognitive functioning of the study participants. Data on predictors of cognitive functioning were collected from parents and adolescents. Weight and height of the participants were measured in a standardized manner and blood samples were tested in an accredited laboratory under strict measures of quality control. In multivariable linear regression analysis, factors that showed significant association with the SPM score were gender (p=0.002), season of birth (p=0.009), place of residence (p\u3c0.001), father\u27s (p\u3c0.001) and mother\u27s (p=0.025) educational level, type of housing (p\u3c0.001), passive smoking at home (p=0.031), sleeping hours during weekends (p=0.017), students\u27 educational level (p\u3c0.001) and the frequency of consumption of sugary drinks (p\u3c0.001). The link between cognitive functioning and season of birth seems to be robust in various geographical locations including the Middle East. The association between sugary drinks and cognitive functioning highlights the importance of diet independently of obesity and support efforts to reduce consumption of sugary drinks among children

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation Pyridinium crosslinks in patients on haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Background. The urine excretion of the pyridinium crosslinks of collagen, pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) closely reflect bone resorption and their assay has been used as specific markers of mature collagen turnover. The aims of this study were to evaluate the use of these markers to predict the severity of osteodystrophy in patients with chronic renal failure. Methods. Using an isocratic ion-paired reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, PYD and DPD were determined in the serum, urine and dialysate of 48 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing haemodialysis (« = 28) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (« = 20). Nineteen apparently healthy subjects were studied as controls. Results. In all groups, serum and urine crosslinks excretion showed poor correlation with age. In the patients urine PYD/creatinine and DPD/creatinine were significantly (P^O.03 and ^0.001 respectively) higher than normal; urine PYD and DPD levels were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.98) and with serum PTH (r = 0.84 and 0.83 respectively). The mean (SD) predialysis serum PYD, 269 (334) nmol/1, was significantly (P^ 0.003) elevated compared with normal patients, 4.1 (0.6) and pre-dialysis serum DPD was 82.9 (93.7) nmol/1. DPD was below the detection limit of the assay in normal sera. In the patients postdialysis decreases in serum PYD and DPD were statistically significant (P&lt; 0.0002 and P&lt; 0.0007 respectively). PYD and DPD were found in the dialysate of patients on haemodialysis as well as 24-h dialysate in patients on CAPD. Dialysate PYD and DPD were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.80) and with dialysate creatinine (r = 0.76 and r=0.62 respectively). In the patients, the mean serum, urine and dialysate PYD and DPD increased with the duration on dialysis. These findings confirm that metabolic bone disease increases in patients with duration of chronic renal failure

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Normal Hausa-Fulani Children and Adolescents of Northern Nigeria

Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a useful parameter for assessing respiratory function in health and disease. However there are few studies reporting normal values of this parameter in Northern Nigeria in general and the North western zone in particular. Also prediction formulae for predicting PEFR from anthropometric parameters are not available for this population. The present study was therefore designed to measure Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in normal Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and to derive prediction formulae for this population. Methods: Apparently healthy boys (n=376) and girls (n=240) aged between 6 and 18 years were randomly selected and their height, weight and chest circumference determined. PEFR was measured at ambient temperature and pressure saturated with water vapour (ATPS) in the erect position. Regression analyses were carried out on the relationship between PEFR and each anthropometric parameter and prediction formulae with the least standard error of estimates chosen. Data obtained in this study were also subjected to prediction formulae derived from Nigerian populations elsewhere. Results: PEFR (L/min) was significantly (P&lt;0.001) higher in boys (382.5 \ub1 118.3) than in girls (332.6 \ub1 88.3). It correlated positively and significantly with age, height, weight and chest circumference in both sexes. The prediction formulae derived from the present data in boys and girls respectively are: PEFR (L/min) = 85.83 + 8.25 x weight (kg) (\ub1 3.15) and PEFR (L/min) = 3.67 + 28.15 x age (years) (\ub1 3.51). The predicted PEFR values obtained using earlier formulae were generally lower than the observed values. Conclusion: PEFR has been obtained in normal healthy Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and prediction formulae derived for use in this population. The results of this study suggest that the usefulness of prediction formulae may be limited to the ethnic group or locality from which they were derived.Fond : Le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) est un param\ue8tre utile pour \ue9valuer la fonction respiratoire dans la sant\ue9 et la maladie. Cependant, il y a peu d'\ue9tudes indiquant des valeurs normales de ce param\ue8tre au nord du Nig\ue9ria en g\ue9n\ue9ral et la zone occidentale du nord en particulier. En outre les formules de pr\ue9vision pour pr\ue9voir le DEM des param\ue8tres anthropom\ue9triques ne sont pas disponibles pour cette population. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 donc con\ue7ue pour mesurer le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) dans les enfants et les adolescents normaux de hausa-Fulani-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et pour d\ue9river des formules de pr\ue9vision \ue0 cette population. M\ue9thodes : Les gar\ue7ons apparent en bonne sant\ue9 (n=376) et les filles (n=240) \ue2g\ue9s entre 6 et 18 ans ont \ue9t\ue9 al\ue9atoirement choisis et leur circonf\ue9rence de taille, de poids et de coffre ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9es. Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 mesur\ue9 \ue0 la temp\ue9rature ambiante et \ue0 la pression satur\ue9es avec la vapeur d'eau (TAPS) en position droite. Des analyses de r\ue9gression ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9es sur le rapport entre le DEM et chaque param\ue8tre anthropom\ue9trique et formules de pr\ue9vision avec la moindre erreur type des \ue9valuations choisies. Des donn\ue9es obtenues dans cette \ue9tude ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement soumises aux formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des populations nig\ue9rianes ailleurs. R\ue9sultats : Le DEM (L/min) \ue9tait de mani\ue8re significative (P&lt;0.001) plus haut dans les gar\ue7ons (382,5 \ub1 118,3) que dans les filles (332,6 \ub1 88,3). Il s'est corr\ue9l\ue9 positivment et de mani\ue8re significative avec l'\ue2ge, la taille, et la circonf\ue9rence de poids et de coffre dans les deux sexes. Les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des donn\ue9es actuelles dans les gar\ue7ons et dans les filles respectivement sont : DEM (L/min) = 85,83 + 8,25 x poid (kilogramme) (\ub1 3,15) et DEM (L/min) = 3,67 + 28,15 x \ue2ge (ann\ue9es) (\ub1 3,51). Les valeurs du DEM pr\ue9vues obtenues en utilisant des premi\ue8res formules \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement inf\ue9rieures aux valeurs observ\ue9es. Conclusion : Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 obtenu dans les enfants et les adolescents de sant\ue9 normale d' Hausa-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es pour l'usage dans cette population. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude sugg\ue8rent que l'utilit\ue9 des formules de pr\ue9vision puisse \ueatre limit\ue9e au groupe ou \ue0 la localit\ue9 ethnique desquels ils ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9riv\ue9s