The Relationship between Selected Anthropometric Indices and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Apparently Healthy Young Adults in a Nigerian Community

Background and Aim: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a useful tool for establishment of baseline fitness status and monitoring of physical activity level. Therefore, it may by extension serve as health risk index. However, studies that have determined the correlation between anthropometric indices and CRF in apparently healthy young adults is difficult to find in other to preempt preventive actions before pathology develops. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive correlational research design, 325 participants (160 males, 165 females) with mean age of 21.87±2.41 years were sampled. Tape measure, stop watch, metronome, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, height meter, bathroom weighing scale, modified Borg’s exertion scale and step benches were used to obtain the blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, rate of perceived exertion, height, weight, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using the mean heart rate responses of the participants. The data was summarized using frequency count, percentages, range, mean, standard deviation, Independent t-test and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation at alpha level of 0.05. Results: CRF significantly correlated with post-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.004), post-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.010) and resting heart rate (p= <0.0001) but not with BMI (p= 0.133), waist circumference (p= 0.098), pre-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.155), pre-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.121), resting respiratory rate (p= 0.631), and respiratory rate recovery (p= 0.478). Conclusion: CRF can be used as an index to quantify in apparently healthy participants, level of cardiovascular and respiratory related disease risks. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of physical activity in order to improve one’s cardiorespiratory fitness and minimize the risk of cardiorespiratory associated diseases

Reduced serum tetanus antibody titre in HIV infected subjects with malaria co-infection in a malaria endemic area of Nigeria

Tetanus infection is widespread and difficult to completely eradicate. Thus the present study was designed to assess the tetanus antibody titre in HIV infected subjects in relation to the presence or absence of malaria parasitaemia. 107 subjects consisting of asymptomatic group (asymptomatic HIV, n=17 and asymptomatic HIV-Malaria co-infection, n=17), symptomatic group (symptomatic HIV, n=18 and symptomatic HIV-Malaria co-infection, n=17), and control group (control without malaria, n=19 and control with malaria, n=19) participated in the study. Blood sample collected from the participants were used for the determination of packed cell volume, CD4+ T cell count, malaria parasite, HIV seropositivity and tetanus antibody titre using standard laboratory methods. The tetanus antibody titre was significantly reduced in symptomatic HIV infected subjects with malaria co-infection compared with symptomatic HIV infected subjects without malaria (

Packed cell volume and serum iron in subjects with HIV-malaria co-infection in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria

The present study was designed to assess the PCV and serum iron in HIV-malaria co-infected subjects in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. 207 participants aged between 16-72 (44 ± 28) years were recruited andclassified as follows based on standard screening and WHO criteria: (i) Asymptomatic HIV stage I subjects with or without malaria. (ii) Symptomatic HIV stage II subjects with or without malaria and not on (ART). (iii) HIV/AIDS subjects with or without malaria and on ART. (vi) HIV seronegative control subjects with or without malaria. Blood sample from these participants were analyzed for HIV seroreactivity, Plasmodium falciparum antigen, parasite density, serum iron concentrations and PCV using Standard Laboratory methods. The result showed that serum iron and PCV were significantly reduced amongst all the groups studied when compared with the control (

Tibio-fibular synostosis - a viable option in the management of segmental tibial loss: case report

Segmental tibia loss resulting in gap non-union presents a major challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon, especially when associated with infection, old or active osteomyelitis, and multiple previous surgeries. This is made rather worse in the presence of extensive skin and soft tissue scarring. Several options of treatment have been proposed with the most recent advance being the Ilizarov technique. However, in the face of extensive skin and soft tissue scarring especially in the anterior and antero-medial portions of the leg, bone transport becomes almost impossible and resort to other methods of treatment become handy.We report a case of segmental tibial loss in a26-year-old man who presented to the outpatient clinic with a two-year history of gap non-union of the right tibia (8cm) following a road traffic accident. This was complicated by a chronic ulcer seating on scar tissue with extensive skin and soft tissue scarification and muscle atrophy. He was successfully managed by proximal tibio-fibular synostosis with radiological evidence of distal tibio-fibular synostosis. Limb length and alignment were fully restored.Keywords: Antibiotics, bone graft, gap non-union, Kirschner wire, segmenta

Prognostic Values of Albumin and Iron in Symptomatic HIV/Malaria Co-infected subjects on ART in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of albumin and iron in symptomatic HIV subjects on ART with or without malaria infection. 150 participants (male, n=65, female, n=85) aged between 17 and 70 years were recruited for the study at the HIV clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria and grouped as Symptomatic HIV subjects (n=68) of which 33 had malaria co-infection; Symptomatic HIV subjects on ART (n=47) of which 28 had malaria infection; and HIV seronegative subjects (n=40) of which 20 had malaria infection. HIV and Plasmodium falciparum antigen screening, CD4+ count, packed cell volume, serum albumin and iron were determined using standard laboratory methods. The results showed that positive associations were observed between CD4+ count and PCV (r=0.347, P&lt;0.05) in symptomatic HIV subjects on ART with or without malaria and between CD4 count and serum iron (r=0.487, P&lt;0.05). Positive associations were also observed between CD4+ count and serum albumin (r=0.301, P&lt;0.01) in the same group of subjects. The implication of these relationships is that as HIV/AIDS progressed, the CD4+ T cells become more depleted and biochemical parameters like serum albumin and iron become reduced due to reduced intake and reduced hepatic synthesis. The prognostic implication of this observation was discussed.Keywords: Albumin, iron deficiency, HIV, malaria, serum albuminNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp.11-1

Evaluation of prognostic value of albumin and iron in symptomatic hiv/malaria co-infected subjects on art in Nnewi, south eastern Nigeria

Background &amp; objectives: This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of albumin and iron in symptomatic HIV subjects on ART with or without malaria infection.Methods: 150 participants (male, n=65, female, n=85) aged between 17 and 70 years were recruited for the study at the HIV clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria and grouped as Symptomatic HIV subjects (n=68) of which 33 had malaria co-infection; Symptomatic HIV subjects on ART (n=47) of which 28 had malaria infection; and HIV seronegative subjects (n=40) of which 20 had malaria infection. HIV and Plasmodium falciparum antigen screening, CD4+ count, packed cell volume, serum albumin and iron were determined using standard laboratory methods.Results: The results showed that positive associations were observed between CD4+ count and PCV (r=0.347, p&lt;0.05) in symptomatic HIV subjects on ART with or without malaria and between CD4 count and serum iron (r=0.487, p&lt;0.05). Positive associations were also observed between CD4+ count and serum albumin (r=0.301, p&lt;0.01) in the same group of subjects.Conclusion: The implication of these relationships is that as HIV/AIDS progressed, the CD4+ T cells become more depleted and biochemical parameters like serum albumin and iron become reduced due to reduced intake and reduced hepatic synthesis. The prognostic implication of this observation is discussed

CD4+ T-cells count in HIV-malaria co-infection in adult population in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria

The study was designed to evaluate CD4+ T-cells count in subjects with HIV-malaria co-infection in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria and to assess the effects any changes in CD4+ counts has on the prevalence andor severity of both illness. Two hundred and eighty-five participants aged between 16 and 72 years were recruited for the study and grouped as symptomatic HIV subjects, asymptomatic HIV subjects, HIV/AIDSsubjects on ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) and HIV-seronegative subjects. HIV and malaria parasite screening, CD4+ T-cell count and parasite density were determined using standard laboratory methods. The result showed that the prevalence of malaria infection was 75% in symptomatic HIV, 46.7% in asymptomatic HIV and 59.6% in HIV/AIDS subjects on ART respectively as opposed to 26.9% observed in the control (

Neutrophil Ingestion Rate Of Nitroblue Tetrazolium In Subjects With Malaria-Hiv Co-Morbidity

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the WBC count, absolute neutrophil count, CD4 +T cell count and neutrophil ingestion rate of nitroblue tetrazolium in subjects with Malaria and HIV Co-morbidity. Method and materials: 134 participants were recruited and group as follow: Symptomatic HIV infected participants (n=63), 32 of these participants had malaria co-infection; Asymptomatic HIV infected participants (n=42), 17 of these participants had malaria co-infection; and HIV seronegative Control subjects (n=27), 15 of these subjects had malaria parasitaemia. Blood samples collected from the participants were used to determine the WBC count, absolute neutrophil count, CD4 + T cell count and the rate of reduction of NBT to formazan by the neutrophils in vitro. Result: The result showed that the rate of reduction of NBT to formazan (fmol/phagocyte) was significantly reduced in both Symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV participants with or without malaria parasitaemia compared with the corresponding values in the HIV seronegative control participants with or without malaria respectively. There was no significant difference in WBC and absolute neutrophil counts. This was also true for the CD4 = T cell count amongst participants with malaria but not with those without malaria. Conclusion: This study suggests that inhibition of phagocytic function may be an early sign in HIV infection. This has grave consequences in malaria endemic area where phagocytosis is important in the clearance of malaria parasites. Keywords: HIV, Malaria, NBT, phagocytes and participants.Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 1-

Adolescent medical emergencies: baseline survey in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Globally, there is dearth of data on non-traumatic adolescent medical emergencies, with most studies focussing on adolescent traumatic, psychotic and obstetric emergencies. There is need for extension of focus to this neglected area, especially in Africa where differences in lifestyle, perception and socioeconomic status may influence adolescent health.Objective: To describe the morbidity pattern of adolescents admitted as medical emergencies in a Nigerian tertiary hospital and to identify factors that correlate with mortality amongst them.Methodology: This was a prospective study of all adolescents aged 10 to 19 years consecutively admitted into the Children Medical Emergency Ward of a Nigerian tertiary hospital, over a 2 year period. Their bio-data, clinical condition at time of presentation and outcome at discharge from the emergency room were documented. Bivariate analysis for correlation of these factors with mortality was done utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.Results: Two hundred and two adolescents were admitted in the emergency room within the period. Their mean age was 13.3 +2.3 years with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The major presenting symptom was fever with the predominant disease category being infectious and parasitic diseases in 31.2% of them. A sickle cell disease crisis was responsible for 15% of admissions and was the commonest single disease entity amongst them. The mortality rate was 6.4%. Acute exacerbations of chronic diseases were responsible for 85% of the mortalities. Chronic kidney disease with case fatality of 36% was significantly correlated with mortality [OR 8.4 CI 3.2-22.3]. Gender, age and maternal educational status had no significant correlation to the outcome.Conclusion: Acute exacerbation of chronic medical conditions account for poor outcome of medical emergencies in adolescents in the study centre. This calls for intensification of Preventive Medicare and adoption of the principle of pro active follow up of adolescents living with chronic diseases.Keywords: Non-traumatic, Acute exacerbations, Chronic diseases, Outcom

Knowledge and Compliance with Standard Precaution Among Healthcare Workers in A South-East Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: Adherence to standard precautions (SP) is critical to reducing the burden of nosocomial infections. Objective: We assessed the knowledge and practice of SP among healthcare workers (HCWs). Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi Anambra State, Nigeria using self-administered questionnaire and key informant interview. Results: Mean age and employment duration of subjects were 33.4±11.9 and 6.0 ± 6.7 years, respectively. Majority of the 341 HCWs had heard about SP (82.1%) and agreed that it should be applied to all patient care (78.0%). Only 45.7% of them correctly cited ≥2 components of SP. Two-third of participants reported that SP was poorly practiced in their unit mainly due to inadequate supply of materials (63.1%), inadequate staff training/retraining (62.2%), inadequate support by management (51.4%) and unavailable standard operating procedures (SOPs) on SP (37.8%). Compliance with SP and specifically, personal protective equipment (PPE) use were 65.1% and 76.2%, respectively. Profession (p=0.023), awareness about SP (p&lt;0.001), SOP display in prominent places (p&lt;0.001) and regular supply of running water (p&lt;0.001) were significantly associated with SP compliance. Key informant interview revealed lack of written SP policies or its communication to HCWs, lack of training/retraining of HCWs and lack of materials required for SP practice. Conclusion: Knowledge of basic concept and practice of SP was not satisfactory among HCWs. Major barriers to SP were lack of materials, training and active support by hospital management. Awareness, SOP display in prominent places and regular supply of running water positively influenced SP compliance. Having written policies and communicating such to all HCWs, consistent supply of necessary materials, intensified training, and regular supervision are recommended Keywords: Universal precautions, Nosocomial infections, Tertiary hospitals, Health Personnel, Nigeri