Promoting cessation and a tobacco free future: willingness of pharmacy students at the University of Lagos, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tobacco use is projected to cause nearly 450 million deaths worldwide during the next 50 years. Health professionals can have a critical role in reducing tobacco use. Therefore, one of the strategies to reduce the number of smoking-related deaths is to encourage the involvement of health professionals in tobacco-use prevention and cessation counseling. As future health care providers, pharmacy students should consider providing assistance to others to overcome tobacco use and be involved in promoting a tobacco free future as part of their professional responsibility.</p> <p>This research was to determine the knowledge of tobacco/smoking policy, willingness to be involved in tobacco cessation, attitude to keeping a tobacco free environment and the smoking habit among pharmacy students at the University of Lagos.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected by the use of self administered questionnaire which was aimed at assessing their smoking habit, determining their knowledge and attitude to smoking policy and willingness to be involved in smoking cessation. The population sample was all the pharmacy students in their professional years (200 to 500 Levels) at Idi-Araba Campus of the University of Lagos.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 327 qualified participants, 297 responded to the questionnaire which was about 91% participation rate but out of these only 291 questionnaires were useful which came to 89%.</p> <p>There seemed to be no statistically significant difference between the smoking habits among the different levels (p > 0.05). Overall, the current smoking prevalence was 5.5% which is lower than the national prevalence rate of 8.9%.</p> <p>Awareness of WHO FCTC global tobacco treaty was low (9.3%) among pharmacy students but they agreed that pharmacists and pharmacy students should be involved in quit smoking program (93.1%) and they were willing to be involved in helping smokers to quit (85.9%). Majority agreed that smoking should not be permitted in pharmacies (87.9%) and at pharmacy students' events (86.9%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From this study it can be concluded that smoking prevalence is low among pharmacy students at the University of Lagos. Awareness of global policy is low but they are willing to be involved in smoking cessation and promoting a tobacco free future.</p

Noise Pollution and Waste Control Techniques in Building Construction in Nigeria: A Literature Review

The activities of the construction industry are often plagued with improper material control and operational measures that result in the production of noise and generation of waste in project sites. Waste and noise are generated in every step of the construction process, from the production of materials used, to the erection and finishing of structures. In this age of incorporating sustainability into the development of buildings and their environments, there is a need for the construction industry to substantially reduce the amount of noise and waste produced. This paper investigated various noise pollution and waste control techniques used in the construction industry in Nigeria, with a view to identify areas for further improvement. The paper is a systematic literature review which made use of document analysis to collect data and content analysis to analyse the data gathered. Descriptive approach was used to present the result. The paper examined the current state of waste and noise management and the recommendations provided. The study found that in Nigeria, the noise control technique employed is the use of noise barriers, while the waste control management strategies used are prefabricated elements, sorting waste generated, open dumping, open burning and composting disposal method. Some of the recommendations made include: discarding open dumping and open burning as waste control measures due to their negative environmental impact, developing and enforcing a legal framework for noise and construction waste. Furthermore, educating site workers on noise and waste control techniques and replacing machines that use combustion engines with those that use electrical motors. Students, educators, building industry practitioners and other construction industry stakeholders will find the study a useful material to work with, as well as build upon

Microbiological And Physicochemical Assessments of Selected Fish Pond Water Sample in South-West, Nigeria

Pathogenic organisms have the ability to reduce or delay fish output. The physicochemical characteristics and microbial population of fish pond water, play great roles in affecting the growth and development of fish. This study aims to assess the microbiological quality and physicochemical quality of fish pond water in Ijebu-North local government of Ogun state, Nigeria. Fish pond water samples were collected from three different locations, which include Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-igbo and Awa. Physicochemical analysis of fish pond water samples were achieved by standard procedures and all parameters were subjected to World Health Organization standards (WHO). The microbiological examination was determined by different selective agar media and biochemical identification was achieved by conventional analysis. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples such as temperature, pH and conductivity ranged from 33.9-44.20C, 6.70-7.87 and 163-196 respectively. The presence of trace and toxic heavy metals such as calcium, zinc, copper, iron, lead and so on were detected in this study. The sample from Ijebu-Igbo had the highest bacteria count of 4.28x102 cfu/ml. Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus species have the highest occurrence among the isolates identified. Therefore, there is need for adequate treatment of fish pond water to reduce the risk of fish exposure to pathogens and heavy metals. This is to ensure that environmental parameters of water are in the optimum range that will enhance healthy fish production

Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students

Objectives: We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.Results: The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (±SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(±8.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p= &lt;0.001), institution of study (p= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), BMI (p= 0.027) and psychological distress (p=0.005).Conclusion: Our study observed disordered eating attitude to be prevalent among young adults, and demographic along with clinico-anthropometric factors constituted associated factors. Our findings strengthen the basis to incorporate health awareness programs aimed at improving nutrition and eating behavior among the young adult population. Future research is needed.Keywords: Anthropometric, correlates, disordered eating attitudes, Nigeria, student

Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students.

Objectives: We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (\ub1SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(\ub18.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p= &lt;0.001), institution of study (p= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), BMI (p= 0.027) and psychological distress (p=0.005). Conclusion: Our study observed disordered eating attitude to be prevalent among young adults, and demographic along with clinico-anthropometric factors constituted associated factors. Our findings strengthen the basis to incorporate health awareness programs aimed at improving nutrition and eating behavior among the young adult population. Future research is needed

Predictors of the quality of work life and job satisfaction among serving military healthcare personnel in the Nigerian armed forces

Introduction: Quality of work life and perception affects the productivity of healthcare professionals. The study aimed to determine the quality of work life (QWL) and job satisfaction (JS) of military healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three military hospitals, one each for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The 35-item QWL and five-item JS Index questionnaires were used to record responses from consenting professionals between January–March 2022. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The overall average QWL score for the population was 86.88 ± 23.04, while overall JS had a mean score of 23.2 ± 7.102. Years of experience (β = –0.292, p = 0.018), and previous posting to war areas (β = –0.285, p = 0.022) were significant predictors of QWL, just as years of experience (β=–0281, p = 0.024) and age (β = 0.235, p = 0.097) were for JS. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals serving in the Nigerian Armed Forces have a fair perception of their QWL and JS

Community engagement and compliance monitoring of COVID-19 safety protocols: innovative approach combining indigenous practice and GIS technology in Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: One of the major challenges that has driven the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide is the burden of enforcing the preventive measures required to contain the pandemic. Enforcement of COVID-19 precautionary behaviour should not be homogenous; every country needs to be creative to ensure that humane considerations guide all decisions during the extraordinary experience that COVID-19 pandemic portends. The model of self-policing is acceptable and maintained principally because the citizens of any communities operate, recognize, and accept them as preferred alternatives to the official models of policing for enforcement. Hence the approach presented in this paper, which deployed existing indigenous alternative systems in ensuring compliance with COVID-19 precautionary behaviour. This article therefore documents the unique approach deployed for the containment of COVID-19 in Oyo State, Nigeria. Objective: This intervention was designed to explore established indigenous alternative systems and models of control, justice, law, security, and enforcement in Nigeria. Additionally, geographic information system (GIS) technology and investigative journalism was used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Method: The method employed was community conversation; a method of increasing inclusive, community-based engagement harnessing the expertise and motivation of key stakeholders. The community conversations were convened after the pattern of a traditional Town-hall meeting. Community conversations were organized as a qualitative framework focusing on deploying the indigenous practice of self-policing associated with Nigerias trade unions and aims to inform COVID-19 preventive behaviour at the community level. Geographical information system technology was used to develop COVID-19 Containment Compliance Citizens Reporter App. The App was developed using ESRI ArcGIS online platform to crowd source public feedback on compliance or contravention of COVID-19 protocols. Social media platforms were also deployed for monitoring and evaluation of the intervention post townhall meeting. Results: The establishment of a State-wide Containment response network provided the required inroad for advocacy and deployment of state-wide community conversation framework in the different communities comprising diverse ethnic groups, religious leaders, market leaders, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and so on. Testimonials from the various communities showed that the people have embraced the self-policing strategy and the network system was effective with good outcomes in terms of response to decontamination, containment, and advocacy. The COVID-19 Containment Compliance Citizens Reporter App, investigative reporting by mass media were highly effective tools for monitoring and evaluation of the outcome of the intervention as well as possible evidence for melting out incentive and disincentive measures as necessary. This approach is a template, which could be adapted and replicated in other parts of Nigeria and other African societies with similar structures, demographics, and indigenous practices

A longitudinal cohort study of symptoms and other concerns among Nigerian people with stages 3–5 chronic kidney diseases: study protocol

Background: The burden of symptoms and other concerns in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be high, adversely affecting the quality of life of the growing number of those with this condition in developing countries. In this paper, we describe the protocol of a longitudinal observational study among people living with CKD. The study is developed to assess the bio-psychosocial factors associated with palliative care symptoms and concerns, and pattern of health services usage among Nigerians with stages 3–5 CKD. The overall objective is to establish the evidence-base for advocacy and policy formulation, treatment guidelines, care and services, and future clinical trial studies.Methods: This is a multi-center study to investigate the longitudinal course of symptoms and other concerns among patients with stages 3–5 CKD in Nigeria. Interviewer administered and self-report measures at baseline (T0) and 3-month (T1) address socio-demographic characteristics, clinical-illness related information, palliative care-related symptoms and other concerns, pattern of formal or informal service usage, and bio psychosocial measures including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), anxiety, depression, quality of life, functioning, social support and spiritual wellbeing.Discussion: This study represents the first longitudinal investigation of palliative care symptoms and concerns among people with CKD in Nigeria. It includes early stages of CKD in compliance with best practices, and a comprehensive range of bio-psychosocial outcomes to understand how these factors are associated with symptoms. This study will provide evidence for how best to integrate palliative care into management of CKD to improve care and quality of life of people with CKD. The study team welcomes collaborations with both national and international researchers

Interplay of non-conducting and conducting walls on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection flow in vertical micro-channel in the presence of induced magnetic field

In this research paper, exact solution for fully developed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection flow of viscous, incompressible, electrically conducting fluid in vertical micro-channel formed by electrically non-conducting and conducting infinite vertical parallel walls in the presence of velocity slip and temperature jump at the micro-channel walls is investigated. The influence of induced magnetic field (I.M.F) arising due to the motion of an electrically conducting fluid in the presence of transverse magnetic field is taken into consideration. Due to the presence of induced magnetic field, the momentum and induction equations are coupled. The exact solutions in dimensionless form have been obtained under relevant boundary conditions. The expressions for velocity field, the induced magnetic field, temperature field, induced current density and skin friction have been obtained. The effects of the various physical parameters appearing into the model such as rarefaction, fluid wall interaction, Hartmann number and the magnetic Prandtl number are demonstrated through graphs and table. The results indicate that, increase in Hartmann number and magnetic Prandtl number causes a pronounced reduction in volume flow rate. Keywords: Transverse magnetic field, Induced magnetic field, Velocity slip, Temperature jump, Electrically conducting, Electrically non-conducting wall