Predictors of Obesity Among Nigerian Immigrants in the United States

Obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, contributing to health disparities in minority and vulnerable populations. Though research has identified an increased risk for obesity in the Hispanic immigrant population, there is little or no research on the heterogeneity of obesity predictors in specific immigrant populations in the United States. This study examined the predictors of obesity in the Nigerian immigrant population in the United States. Guided by the social ecological model and the segmented assimilation theory, this cross-sectional study collected primary data from 205 Nigerian immigrants in the United States using the CDC\u27s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System self-administered web-based survey. Spearman\u27s correlation and logistic regressions were used to analyze data through SPSS. The results showed no significant relationship between obesity and the factors education, socioeconomic status, length of stay, and level of physical activity. This study, however, identified a significant association between weekly consumption of alcohol and all obesity (OR 1.78, p = .021), and moderate/morbid obesity (OR 2.46, p = .013). There was also a significant association between gender and moderate/morbid obesity (OR 3.30, p = .031). These findings provide strong evidence to inform the development of targeted culturally-relevant community-based interventions for Nigerian immigrant population in the United States, including health education and targeted screenings for alcohol consumption, and other unrecognized behaviors that increase their risk for obesity. The lack of association between other well-known predictors of obesity and obesity outcomes calls for further investigation into other causes of obesity in this immigrant population

Association between Non-Cigarette/Smokeless Tobacco and Hypertension in the National Health Interview Survey: A Pseudo-Panel Analysis

This study sought to examine assumption between having ever used non-cigarette tobacco or smokeless tobacco, and a diagnosis of hypertension among a sample of 13, 086 United States adults participating in the National Health Interview Series from 2012-2014. A pseudo-panel analysis of data extracted from the Integrated Health Interview Series Survey was conducted. The generalized linear mixed model was used to quantify the effect of a history of non-cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and socio-demographic predictor variables on the response variable, a diagnosis of hypertension. The transformed data, based on the pseudo-panel technique, resulted in fifty-seven (57) birth cohorts and followed in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The mean age was 51.6 years (±12.4). The findings of this study revealed that the odds of hypertension diagnosis for non-cigarette tobacco users was 0.8846 times lower (95% CI: 0.7907, 0.9896) than non-users after adjusting for possible confounders such as age, language, education, income and years of smoking. Our study suggested that the association between the use of non-cigarette tobacco and the diagnosis of hypertension among the sample population is consistent enough to assume a less plausible association between the two variables

Association between Non-Cigarette/Smokeless Tobacco and Hypertension in the National Health Interview Survey: A Pseudo-Panel Analysis

This study sought to examine assumption between having ever used non-cigarette tobacco or smokeless tobacco, and a diagnosis of hypertension among a sample of 13, 086 United States adults participating in the National Health Interview Series from 2012-2014. A pseudo-panel analysis of data extracted from the Integrated Health Interview Series Survey was conducted. The generalized linear mixed model was used to quantify the effect of a history of non-cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and socio-demographic predictor variables on the response variable, a diagnosis of hypertension. The transformed data, based on the pseudo-panel technique, resulted in fifty-seven (57) birth cohorts and followed in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The mean age was 51.6 years (±12.4). The findings of this study revealed that the odds of hypertension diagnosis for non-cigarette tobacco users was 0.8846 times lower (95% CI: 0.7907, 0.9896) than non-users after adjusting for possible confounders such as age, language, education, income and years of smoking. Our study suggested that the association between the use of non-cigarette tobacco and the diagnosis of hypertension among the sample population is consistent enough to assume a less plausible association between the two variables

Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders

This study sought to assess the attitudes of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) towards tackling illicit drug use and drug-related disorders in Nigeria and to explore regional variations in attitude. Based on the validated Substance Abuse Attitude Survey (SAAS), a quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in a randomized sample of 292 MHPs practicing in neuropsychiatric hospitals and mental health departments of teaching hospitals from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A response rate of 81.1% was achieved. MHPs tended towards non-permissive, moralistic and stereotypic spectrum and exhibited distinctly defined attitude towards their professional role. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis established significant regional variation in the attitude of multidisciplinary MHPs, H (3)=18.727, p\u3c .0001 reflecting a stochastic domination across the region; therefore a step-down follow-up analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed that the distribution of attitude total-score varies significantly between the South- south and the Southwestern region (p\u3c .0001), the northeastern and southwestern region of the country (p\u3c .028). A holistic approach towards standardization of drug treatment and care that takes into consideration possible regional variation in attitudes of MHPs should be implemented to foster the reintegration and rehabilitation of drug-using populations into the mainstream society. Citation: Akinola, Olubusayo & Kuo, Wen-Hung & Oswald, John & Obisesan, Olawunmi. (2017). Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS). Volume 6. Page 172~182. DOIL 10.11591/ijphs.v6i2.6574

Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders

This study sought to assess the attitudes of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) towards tackling illicit drug use and drug-related disorders in Nigeria and to explore regional variations in attitude. Based on the validated Substance Abuse Attitude Survey (SAAS), a quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in a randomized sample of 292 MHPs practicing in neuropsychiatric hospitals and mental health departments of teaching hospitals from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A response rate of 81.1% was achieved. MHPs tended towards non-permissive, moralistic and stereotypic spectrum and exhibited distinctly defined attitude towards their professional role. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis established significant regional variation in the attitude of multidisciplinary MHPs, H (3)=18.727, p< .0001 reflecting a stochastic domination across the region; therefore a step-down follow-up analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed that the distribution of attitude total-score varies significantly between the South-south and the Southwestern region (p< .0001), the northeastern and southwestern region of the country (p< .028).  A holistic approach towards standardization of drug treatment and care that takes into consideration possible regional variation in attitudes of MHPs should be implemented to foster the reintegration and rehabilitation of drug-using populations into the mainstream society

A Qualitative Impact Evaluation of the First Love Yourself (FLY) Women’s Support Group

Research has shown that social support groups not only have significant effects on the physical and mental health of individuals, but can also be used as predictors of health outcomes. It is, therefore, important that social workers and other public health professionals are aware of the social support groups that exist in communities so as to find ways to utilize these to meet health needs. The study aims to explore the First Love Yourself (FLY) group, an empowerment-based support group specifically designed to meet the needs of Healthy Start consumers, parents and consortium members. A qualitative analysis of the data gathered from this focus group study yielded several key themes. While participants described finding other community resources helpful, they reported having no other outlet for confidential self-expression and connection to peers other than the FLY group. Group members also reported having improved self-esteem, relationships with their children, partners, and family, and ability to cope as a result of participation in the group. Participants further described gaining knowledge and learning skills that were helpful. This included learning parenting, communication, stress and anger management, budgeting, goal-setting and coping skills and techniques. Finally, qualitative analysis of the data gained from the focus group with participants and the group leader revealed the presence of all 11 curative factors described by Yalom (2005). The primary areas for improvement noted by the group and its leader were related to the frequency of group meetings. Both audiences indicated that additional sessions would be beneficial

Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders

This study sought to assess the attitudes of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) towards tackling illicit drug use and drug-related disorders in Nigeria and to explore regional variations in attitude. Based on the validated Substance Abuse Attitude Survey (SAAS), a quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in a randomized sample of 292 MHPs practicing in neuropsychiatric hospitals and mental health departments of teaching hospitals from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A response rate of 81.1% was achieved. MHPs tended towards non-permissive, moralistic and stereotypic spectrum and exhibited distinctly defined attitude towards their professional role. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis established significant regional variation in the attitude of multidisciplinary MHPs, H (3)=18.727, p\u3c .0001 reflecting a stochastic domination across the region; therefore a step-down follow-up analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed that the distribution of attitude total-score varies significantly between the South- south and the Southwestern region (p\u3c .0001), the northeastern and southwestern region of the country (p\u3c .028). A holistic approach towards standardization of drug treatment and care that takes into consideration possible regional variation in attitudes of MHPs should be implemented to foster the reintegration and rehabilitation of drug-using populations into the mainstream society. Citation: Akinola, Olubusayo & Kuo, Wen-Hung & Oswald, John & Obisesan, Olawunmi. (2017). Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS). Volume 6. Page 172~182. DOIL 10.11591/ijphs.v6i2.6574