Comparative functional exercise capacity of patients with type 2-diabetes and healthy controls: a case control study

Introduction: functional Exercise Capacity (FEC) is a valid measure of physical fitness in health and disease. However, there is paucity of studies on FEC in African patients with Type-2 Diabetes (T2D). This study compared FEC between patients with T2D and healthy controls. Methods: thirty five patients with T2D (18 men, 17 women) and 35 (16 men, 19 women) age-sex matched healthy controls participated in this case-control study. Anthropometric and demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were measured following standard procedures. A glucometer was used to determine the Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) level following at least 8 hours of overnight fasting. FEC was assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) while Hand Grip Strength (HGS) test was measured with an electronic dynamometer. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p< 0.05. Results: patients with T2D and controls were similar in age (p>0.05). There were significant differences in the distance covered during 6MWT between patients and controls (t= 0.329; p =0.03), exercise capacity (t=0.329; p=0.03), FBG (t=7.403; p=0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (t=12.56; p=0.001 and t = 27.23; p = 0.001) respectively. There were significant inverse relationships between 6MWD and Body mass index (r = -0.39; p=0.02) and FBS(r = -0.51; p=0.02) in patients with type-2 respectively. No significant association was found between exercise capacity and HGS (p>0.05). Conclusion: patients with type-2 diabetes demonstrated lower functional exercise capacity than healthy controls. High body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly associated with lower functional exercise capacity

Prevalence and modes of complementary and alternative medicine use among peasant farmers with musculoskeletal pain in a rural community in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Anecdotally, use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Musculoskeletal Pain (MSP) is common in Nigeria; however, there seems to be a dearth of empirical data on its prevalence and mode of use. This study investigated the prevalence and modes of use of CAM for MSP among farmers in a rural community in South-western Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional survey employed multistage sampling technique guidelines for conducting community survey by the World Health Organization among rural community farmers in Gudugbu village, Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire developed from previous studies and validated by expert reviews was used to assess prevalence and modes of CAM use. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 230 consenting rural farmers volunteered for this study with a valid response rate of 93.9 % (n = 216). The lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of CAM for MSP was 96.8 % respectively. Herbal therapy and massage were the predominant types of CAM therapies among previous (83.8 and 80.1 %) and current CAM users (37.5 and 37.5 %). CAM was largely used as sole therapy for MSP (75.5 %) and also in combination with orthodox medicine (23.6 %), and it is consumed on daily basis (21.8 %). CAM was perceived to be very good in maintaining a healthy life (87.1 %) and has less side effects (74 %) and more healthy than taking doctors' prescriptions (63.4 %). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of CAM among Nigerian rural farmers. The most commonly employed CAM for MSP were herbal remedies and massage which are attributable to beliefs on their perceived efficacy

Assessment of physical inactivity level, work-related stress, and cardiovascular disease risk among Nigerian university staff members

Background: Sedentary behavior and mounting workload among university staff may increase risk of chronic diseases. However, information on the link between physical inactivity (PIA), work-related stress (WRS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is controversial. This study assessed and determined the association between PIA, WRS and CVD risk among university staff in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 500 teaching and nonteaching staff of a Nigerian university using purposive sampling method. PIA level and WRS were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a modified International stress questionnaire, respectively. CVD risk was assessed using the Framingham Heart study questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of PIA, WRS, and CVD risk were 37.6%, 33.3%, and 61.0%, respectively. Age and high income were significantly associated with PIA in both teaching and nonteaching staff (P < 0.05). In both the groups, older adults and female participants were almost thrice more likely odds ratio (OR) =2.85 (confidence interval [CI] =2.58–3.12) and OR = 2.98 (1.95–5.72) at CVD risk, respectively. Furthermore, individuals with WRS score ≥ 14 (OR = 2.14; CI = 1.14-4.29), and with obesity (OR = 4.20; CI = 2.58-6.25) were more than twice likely to present with CVD risk. The variability of the regression model for the prediction of CVD risk was 13.0% (R2 = 0.130). Conclusion: The prevalence of PIA and work-related stress among Nigerian university staff is high and is associated with high CVD risk. Strategies in reducing PIA and WRS are essential for mitigating CVD risks among Nigerian University staff