Factors Associated with Health-related Quality of Life among Post-paralytic Polio Survivors in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to assess Quality of Life (QOL), and examine its association with occupation and level of education among polio survivors. The study was a cross-sectional survey of polio survivors (N = 54) registered with the Post Paralytic Polio Survivors Association, living in Gusau, North Western Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) QOL BREF 26 Items English version was used to assess QOL, while a biodata form was used to assess demographic variables. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Wilcoxon rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 22.4 ± 5.4 years and mean QOL scores were 45.2 ± 9.7, 54.8 ± 11.4, 41.3 ± 10.9 and 44.4 ± 12.1 in physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental domains, respectively. The participants’ overall perception of their QOL and health averaged 3.3 ± 0.8 and 3.6 ± 0.7, respectively. No significant association was observed between all the domains. Occupation status (P > 0.05) and educational level had no significant relationship with all the domains (P > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that the QOL of polio survivors is not associated with their occupational status and level of education. It was suggested that follow-up research should try to clarify whether improving occupational and education status raises the QOL of polio survivors. Keywords: Polio, quality of life, survivor

Low blood selenium: A probable factor in essential hypertension

The possible association between selenium and essential hypertension was investigated in this study. Blood selenium (BSe) and plasma glutathione peroxidase (plGSH-Px) activity were measured asbiochemical markers of selenium status of 103 hypertensive patients (44 males and 59 females) and 88 apparently healthy subjects (40 males and 48 females). The hypertensive patients were classified intothree groups based on the severity of the disease namely: mild (Group 1), moderate (Group 2) and severe (Group 3). The healthy and the hypertensive subjects were recruited from Abeokuta and Ibadan(South-Western Nigeria). The mean age of the hypertensive patients was 41.9 ± 10.3 (range 21 – 68) years, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 37.8 ± 8.6 (range 18 – 52) years. The weight,height, blood pressure and pulse rates of all subjects were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) computed. BSe was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) while plGSH-Px activitywas measured by spectrophotometric method. The mean BSe concentration was significantly lower in the hypertensive patients (0.136 ± 0.028 mg/L) than in the healthy group (0.188 ± 0.026 mg/L) (P < 0.001). However with respect to plGSH-Px activity, there was no statistically significant difference between the hypertensive patients (0.126 ± 0.019 U/mL) and the healthy group (0.127 ± 0.022 U/mL). Blood Selenium concentration was found to decrease with the severity of the disease. The difference in BSe concentration of Group 1 and Group 2 patients was not significant. However, there were significantdifferences in the BSe levels of Group 2 and Group 3 patients (P < 0.05) and Group 1 and Group 3 patients (P < 0.05). The observed low BSe in hypertensive subjects implies that low BSe is probably a predisposing factor to essential hypertension or a consequence of the disease. The severity of the disease was also observed to be inversely related to the level of BSe, suggesting that BSe level may have a role in the prognosis of the disease. Alteration in BSe status appears to confirm the  elemental basis of the aetiopathogenesis of certain diseases. Despite the reduction in BSe level in the hypertensive patients, it was still adequate to maintain plGSH-Px activity at a level comparable to thoseof the healthy group. This suggests that BSe may exist in another functional form, which plays a role in the pathogenesis or prognosis of the disease

Socio-economic determinants of consumption pattern of fish among households in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The importance of fish in meeting the nutritional requirements of the body for good health and a better standard of living cannot be overemphasized. The average consumption of protein in Nigeria is below 62 gm per day and a larger proportion of this is of plant origin. This has been found to be below the 70 gm minimum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and hence adequate consumption of fish would go a long way in correcting the protein intake shortfall. This research looked into the consumption pattern of fish among households in Ibadan North Local government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. This is with a view to examiningthe various factors of social and economic importance affecting the level ofconsumption of fish and other protein foods in the study area. Stratified sampling technique was used to group the 12 wards in the study area into three. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the heads of the 40 randomly selected households in each of the three groups. Data collected from 100 fully completed questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Chi-Square tests. The descriptive statistics result shows that majority of the consumers were male (67%), with a mean age of 35.5 years. The mean amountof money spent on fish per month by the households was N3, 672.60 ($24.48). The regression result reveals that the total monthly expenditure on fish was positively affected by monthly expenditure on food and total monthly expenditure on animal protein. The coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.682 implies that 68.2% of the variation in the household monthly expenditure on fish was explained by the variables in the regression model while the Chi-Square (X2) calculated value of 77.7234establishes the significant relationship between the respondents&#8217; income and their expenditure on fish. It is expected that with the potentials of wide acceptability of consumption of catfish, fish farmers should take advantage of the market, explore better means of increasing its production and add value to their product. There is also the need for survey on the current level of fish consumption at the states and nationallevels. This could assist in enhancing policy formulation to increase production, sustain and improve on the current level of consumption in order to reduce the incidence of nutrition-induced health problems particularly among the low income consumers in the society

Biochemical markers of liver and kidney functions in Nigerian hypertensive patients

Plasma albumin, total protein, total globulin, urea, creatinine and uric acid, concentrations were assayed by standard spectrophotometric methods as simple biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions of 103 hypertensive patients (44 males; 59 females) and 88 apparently healthy subjects (40 males; 48 females). Additionally Plasma sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) were determined by flame photometry. The healthy and the hypertensive subjects were recruited from Abeokuta and Ibadan (South-Western Nigeria). The subjects were classified into male and female subgroups. The mean age of the hypertensive patients was 41.9 ±10.3 (range 21-68) years, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 37.8 ± 8.6 (range 18-52) years. The weight and height of all subjects were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) computed. The levels ofplasma albumin, urea and uric acid were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients than in healthy group (

Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure: Findings from the Ibadan Pregnant Women’s Survey

Physical activity, if there are no medical caveats, is beneficial to all people including pregnant women. This study examined the level of physical  activity in a group of pregnant Nigerian women. Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity of 453 pregnant  women. The mean age of participants was 30.89}4.44 years, 222 (49.0%) were sedentary, and only 46 (10.2%) presented with moderate activity  level. The highest amount of energy (75.9 MET-hEwk-1) was expended on household activities. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy had more than three times the risk of being sedentary (OR=3.26, 95% CI = 2.11-4.56) but the risk reduced by 58% in gravid .5 women. Most of the pregnant women recorded physical activity that was lower than the  recommended level, which could lead to unfavourable health outcomes for mother and child. Efforts to promote physical activity in pregnant women in this environment are desirable. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Keywords: Physical activity, Energy expenditure, Pregnancy, Maternal health promotion Sfil n'y a pas de mises en garde medicales, l'activite physique est  benefique pour toutes les personnes y compris les femmes enceintes. Cette etude a examine le niveau d'activite physique dans un groupe de femmes nigerianes enceintes. Un questionnaire base sur lfactivite  physique a ete utilise pour evaluer l'activite physique de 453 femmes  enceintes. L'age moyen des participants etait de 30,89 } 4,44 ans, 222 (49,0%) etaient sedentaire, et seulement 46 (10,2%) ont presente avec le niveau d'activite physique modere. Le montant le plus eleve de l'energie (75,9 MET-h. sem - 1) ont ete consacres aux activites menageres. Les  femmes dans le troisieme trimestre de la grossesse courent plus de trois fois le risque d'etre sedentaire (OR = 3,26, IC 95% 2,11 a 4,56 =) mais le risque se reduit de 58% en gravides . 5 femmes. La plupart des femmes enceintes ont enregistre l'activite physique qui etait inferieur au niveau  recommande, ce qui pourrait conduire a des resultats defavorables sur la sante de la mere et de l'enfant. il est souhaitable dfavoir des efforts pour promouvoir l'activite physique chez les femmes enceintes dans cet environnement. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Mots-cles: activite physique, depenses d'energie, grossesse, promotion de la sante maternell

Interrelationship among physical activity, quality of life, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in a sample of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes

A number of complexities surround the health and well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes. These difficulties relate to self-care efforts and outcomes, and several other factors play regulatory functions. This study was carried out to investigate the inter-relationship among physical activity, quality of life, and clinical and sociodemographic factors in a group of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of two major healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and quality of life was assessed using the Diabetes Quality of Life Brief Clinical Inventory. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were also documented. A total of 227 patients with type 2 diabetes with a mean age of 55.83 ± 13.76 years took part in the study. A total of 156 (68.7%) of the participants, had low level of physical activity, while 81 (35.7%) reported quality of life scores below the intermediate score and hypertension was the mo 63 (27.8%) of the participants. Being 50 years and older (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.21-3.67) increased the odds of having lower quality of life, while physical activity of moderate-to-high intensity reduced the odds (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.8). A substantial proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes had below intermediate level quality of life, and most of them were physically inactive. Lower quality of life was also linked with sociodemographic and clinical variables but patients with moderate-to-high physical activity were likely to reduce by half the risk of poor quality of life.Keywords: physical activity, quality of life, sociodemographic characteristic

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens root and Bombax buonopozense leaves

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC root and Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. leaves against some bacterial and fungal isolates implicated in oro-dental, urogenital and other opportunistic infections were investigated using standard microbiological methods. The extracts of D. adscendens exhibited significant inhibitory action against all twelve organisms tested at a concentration of 2.00 mg/ml, while that of B. buonopozense inhibited nine organisms at the same concentration and conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by extract of D. adscendens ranged between 0.0625 and 0.25 mg/ml while that of B. buonopozense ranged between 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis of the two plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while D. adscendens has alkaloids and flavonoids in addition. Between 92 and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus SA 1199 were killed within 120 minutes of contact time with a concentration of 0.25 - 0.50 mg/ml, while 98 - 100% of Candida albicans ATCC 90029 were killed within the same period and  concentration by the same extract (D. adscendens). Therefore, this study justified the antimicrobial properties of these plants, hence the plants could be recommended for use as source of new drugs for fungal and bacterial infections. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Bombax buonopozense, antibacterial, antifungal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio

Profile of children with new-born brachial plexus palsy managed in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria

 New-born Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) is birth injury resulting from traction to the brachial plexus at birth. It is an injury to two or more cervical or thoracic nerve roots. It has been reported to be one of the most common birth injuries of the new-born. Persistent presentation of children with NBPP in Nigeria paediatric practice necessitates the need to examine prevalence, patterns and possible predisposing factors. This study therefore investigated retrospectively, profiles of children who presented with NBPP over a ten year period and were managed at the Physiotherapy department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria. A  retrospective cross-sectional survey, in which files of children with NBPP located from the database of the Physiotherapy department were retrieved in order to assess infant and maternal information. One hundred and seventy children, 93 (54.7%) males and 77 (45.3%) females were studied. Their mean birth weight was 4.21±0.54 kg, 99 (58.2%) were delivered in private (non-government) hospitals, majority 163 (95.9%) presented with Erb’s Palsy. Mothers, 54 (31.8%) were mostly primiparous and a seemingly persistent elevation in two-yearly incidence of NBPP was observed. Improved healthcare policy in child delivery is encouraged in non-government hospitals in Nigeria to provide preventive measures toward incidence of NBPP. Documentation of physiotherapy management of children with NBPP should include outcomes from admission through to discharge.Keywords: New-born, Brachial plexus Palsy, Incidence, Physiotherapy, Nigeri

Psychosocial stress among patients with type 2 diabetes: habitual physical activity as a promising moderator

Psychosocial stress is a disabling condition and is common among people with diabetes mellitus in view of the complexity of the disorder. It is however not clear if the psychosocial stress has any link with habitual physical activity, which is an important component in the care of people with diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the likely connection between habitual physical activity and psychosocial stress among people with type 2 diabetes. A total of 193 adults with type 2 diabetes took part in this study. Psychosocial stress was assessed using the Revised Questionnaire on Stress in patients with Diabetes (QSD-R) while physical activity was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p &lt; .05. The mean age of the participants was 58.76 ± 14.27 years with mean duration of diagnosis being 6.41 ± 4. 51 years. With a mean score of 2.8, work activity was the main source of physical activity for the patients with the least activity index of 1.2 coming from sports participation. Hypoglycaemia and self-medication/diet were the most important sources of stress to the patients and the overall psychosocial stress was related to habitual physical activity (r = - .73, p = .002). Significantly, patients with higher physical activity index presented with lower psychosocial stress. Apart from the well-known improvement in glycaemic control, type 2 diabetes patients that participate more in physical activity may be able to reduce their psychosocial stress.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, psychosocial stress, habitual physical activit

Relative Therapeutic Efficacy of the Treadmill and Step Bench in Gait Rehabilitation of Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

The aim of this research is to compare the efficacy of treadmill and step bench exercises in hemiparetic gait rehabilitation. Previous studies have supported the use of treadmill and step bench exercises in gait rehabilitation. Nineteen patients were recruited for an 8-week, 2-group quasi-experimental study which was conducted at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. The patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups: A (step bench exercise) and B (treadmill). Groups A and B had 9 and 10 participants respectively. The mean age of the participants in group A was 47.78 + 8.17 years, while that of participants in group B was 46.9 + 7.11 years. Data collected on cadence, stride length, stride width, step length, stride velocity and foot angle before treatment at the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment were analysed using inferential statistics. There was a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) in the pre-treatment and post-treatment scores in both groups. Comparison of the post-treatment mean scores of the 2 groups was made and the t-values for cadence, stride length, step length, stride width, stride velocity and foot angle were 1.18, -0.91,-0.86, 0.78,1.19 and 0.01, respectively, after analysis was carried out using the unpaired t test. The results showed no significant difference in the mean scores of the measured gait parameters for the groups (p&gt;0.05). It was concluded that hemiparetic stroke patients will benefit from both rehabilitation protocols, and that neither rehabilitation protocol is superior to the other