Uwemedimbuk Ekanem - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Uwemedimbuk Ekanem
Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals, 2015
Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the ... more Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of this study was to assess the HR-QOL in HIV patients who present for treatment in Uyo. The study is a prospective longitudinal study of PLWHA attending HIV clinics. One hundred and sixty-one newly diagnosed HIV patients were recruited by systematic sampling technique proportionately to the two public hospitals in Uyo. The patients were classified into Pre-HAART and HAART groups based on their eligibility to commence HAART. WHOQOL-HIV Bref was the instrument used at recruitment and at four months. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 statistical package. At recruitment, the HR-QOL of the Pre-HAART respondents was better than the HAART respondents across the domains, except for spirituality. While at four months both groups became similar except at social and environmental domains where Pre HAART fared better. Both groups showed improvement after four months. Provision of appropriate HIV care to an infected person within a short term is associated with improvement in their HR-QOL.
Journal of Global Oncology, 2018
Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their... more Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their disease. Among the factors which limit early presentation are aversion for orthodox medicine due to perceived complexity of health institutions, and belief in superiority of traditional medicine. Patient navigation has been shown to improve patient treatment adherence. There is limited evidence on the impact of PN in Nigeria, and other resource-limited settings. Aim: Study sought to introduce a hospital-based patient navigation program (PNP) and evaluate its impact. Methods: PNP was initiated at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in June 2016 with focus on breast cancer patients. A young, male public health officer, who spoke the local language was recruited and trained to guide cancer breast patients through the hospital. Training focused on hospital services, sensitive communications, patient management process, confidentiality and resource identification. The service was announc...
Asian Journal of Medicine and Health, 2016
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
The asymptomatic nature of toxoplasmosis with its severe consequences, especially in populations ... more The asymptomatic nature of toxoplasmosis with its severe consequences, especially in populations with high HIV infection rate, makes it a disease of public health importance. Being a zoonosis, Toxoplasma gondii infection may be high among people who work with animals. Thus, there is the need to determine the prevalence of the infection among abattoir workers in Uyo, where HIV prevalence rate is in double digits, which could lead to reactivation of toxoplasmosis in those with immunosuppression. Aim: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii infection in abattoir workers in Uyo. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among persons who work with livestock and birds, in Uyo and its environs. Methodology: The study was conducted among 339 workers in abattoirs in Uyo and its environs. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and detection of IgG antibodies to T. gondii using ELISA technique and HIV testing using the national algorithm. Data were analyzed using STATA statistical software version 20, and statistically significant level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies among the study participants was 55.8%. At a univariate level, many factors were associated with T. gondii seropositivity; they were age, sex, level of education, ethnicity, occupation in the abattoir, type of animal exposure, always washing hands before eating in the workplace, and taking of raw/unpasteurized milk. However, after multivariate analysis, participants exposed to poultry, butchers/raw meat sellers, and those who had worked for more than 5 years in abattoirs were at a greater risk of being T. gondii IgG seropositive; odds ratio (OR) 5.46 [confidence interval (CI) 1.88, 15.86]; OR 1.89 (CI 1.14, 3.14), and OR 1.25 (CI 1.25, 6.42), respectively. Conclusion: T. gondii IgG seroprevalence is high among abattoir workers in Uyo, and there is a need for Akwa Ibom State government to establish enlightenment and prevention programs for these occupationally exposed and other populations at risk of infection.
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-clas... more The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 2010
The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents... more The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528 participants, comprising 255 fathers of children with substance use-related problems (study group) and 273 fathers of children without problems (comparison group) attending the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, were assessed, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines for students’ substance use surveys. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were similar. Locally available substances including alcohol were used more frequently than illicit substances by both groups. Possible reasons for using these substances included ready availability, unidentified personal problems, performance enhancement and unemployment. Substance use ison the increase in our ...
The Indian journal of nutrition and dietetics, 2014
Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear)... more Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear) seed, and Persia americana (Avocado) bark, leaves and seed were determined. The inorganic composition of the bark, leaves and seed of Persia americana (Avocado) was investigated and the proximate composition of the Avocado seed also determined. Methods: Dried and pulverized Maize cob, African Pear seeds and Avocado bark, leaves and seeds were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard procedures. Inorganic composition was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Proximate composition by method of A.O.A.C. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed a trace concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and crude proteins in the maize cob. The African pear seed contained very high concentrations of flavonoid and crude protein and moderately high amounts of tannin, saponin and carbohydrate; alkaloids were low in concentration and terpenes, absent. Avocado leaves showed moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein and trace amounts of alkaloid, terpenes and tannins. Also, moderately high concentrations of alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin were observed for Avocado bark and a trace amount of protein. While the Avocado seed contained moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein, alkaloid and carbohydrate were present in trace amount. Sterols, glycosides and anthraquinone were absent in all samples. The inorganic composition result showed relatively high concentration of potassium (very high for seed), calcium (for bark and leaf), magnesium and sulphur in Avocado samples. The Avocado seed contained relatively high content of moisture, carbohydrate and protease inhibitor. Conclusion: While the maize cob may not possess nutritive and pharmacological properties, the African pear seed may possess both, in addition to anti-nutritional factors. The Avocado seed may possess some pharmacological properties. Keywords: Zea mays, Dacryodes edulis , Persia Americana , phytochemicals, proximate composition
Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial fo... more Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial food-borne diseases worldwide. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of E. coli O157 serogroup in fruits, vegetables and animal faecal manures used in some farms in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 250 ready-to-eat fruits such as egg plant, carrot and cucumber and vegetables including fluted pumpkin, water leaf and okra were randomly collected from farms, markets, vendors and sale outlets in the study areas. Animal (cow, goat, poultry, swine) fecal waste samples used as manure (n=100) were collected from various farms in the area. The study employed standard microbiological analysis of these samples. Out of a total of 250 fruits and vegetable samples tested, 39 (15.6%) E. coli were isolated from fruits and vegetables, of which 30 (22.1%) were from washed and 9 (7.9%) from unwashed samples. None of the E. coli isolates belonged to the E. coli O1...
How to cite this article:
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), Nov 1, 2016
To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible age... more To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible agents present in animals used for food, and in their raw or inadequately cooked products. Mortality was compared in a cohort of meat handlers in slaughtering and processing plants with that of the U.S. general population. Excess mortality was observed for conditions known to be associated with infections-these include, septicemia, chronic nephritis, diseases of the kidney and ureter, diseases of the pancreas, cirrhosis of the liver, acute and subacute endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever, functional diseases of the heart, aortic aneurysm, intracranial and intraspinous abscess, and meningitis. Excess mortality was also observed for ischemic heart disease and diabetes, conditions without an established infectious etiology, but which have been linked with infections. If transmissible agents present in food animals and their raw products cause long-term diseases and mortality in humans, this st...
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2016
African Health Sciences, 2013
Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are taking their toll in most low and middle income ... more Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are taking their toll in most low and middle income countries; incidentally, in the same populations that are struggling to deal with communicable diseases, hence presenting a picture of "double tragedy". Most of the researches conducted on NCDs are facility-based; often in urban locations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of high BP in a semi-urban community in Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, where all the adult residents of the community were enrolled. Data was collected using a multi-section questionnaire, including anthropometric measurements. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 for windows and STATA 10. Results: The results showed that 47.0% of the study population had a raised BP >140/90mmHg. At a univariate level, age, sex, higher income, more people in the household, daily cigarette smoking, daily alcohol intake and BMI, showed increased risk for high BP. However, sleeping for at least 8 hours a day showed protective influence against raised BP among the participants. In the adjusted model, only age, sex and BMI remained statistically significant with Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.04 (95%CI; 1.00, 1.08), 0.45 (95%CI; 0.22, 0.90) and 1.08(95%CI; 1.03, 1.13) respectively. The model had an area under curve of 71.9%, Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of raised BP in this semi-urban community, thus the need for intervention and preventive services to curb the looming epidemic of hypertension in this community in particular, and Nigeria as a whole, cannot be overemphasized.
African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2012
The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health ex... more The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health examinations among 387 childbearing women attending three health facilities in Uyo, Nigeria. Respondents were consenting women aged 15-49 years who had a live birth in the two months preceding the survey. Respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires during child welfare clinic visits at each facility. Awareness about pap smears and breast self examination was 14.2% and 35.3% respectively. Testing rates were highest for blood pressure checks, HIV and blood sugar and lowest for Pap smears and mammograms. Health workers were the main informants on preventive tests. Awareness and secondary education enhanced women's uptake of screening services across levels of health care. Secondary education as a minimum and intensified awareness creation about preventive health examinations through media, school based programs, durbars and public health campaigns are vital to the health ...
Journal of Global Health Care Systems, 2013
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-clas... more The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competenc... more Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competence and poorer training of health-care professionals (HCP). These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP, especially regarding clinical breast examination (CBE), pelvic examination (PE), and digital rectal examination (DRE). The study evaluates the effect of MS during a Nigerian training course focusing on CBE, PE, and DRE. It answers the question: What is the immediate outcome of MS-based training, as well as the perspectives of HCP on the use of MS for cancer education? Methods: Participants included a convenience sample of Nigerian physicians and nurses who attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology-sponsored Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course. The intervention was MS using high-fidelity models. The models de...
Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among o... more Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among others has become a public health concern. Risk factors for these diseases have been well studied in high income countries but less studied in developing countries. Objective: The study was to document the prevalence and risk factors of Obesity and high blood pressure among healthy adults in a military settlement in Ibagwa, Southern Nigeria. The study also sought to establish if the prevalence is low among soldiers, given the documented links between physically active lifestyle and a reduction in the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Methods: It was a cross sectional study, 422 subjects (228 males and 214 females) was selected by simple random sampling. Factors assessed included; height, weight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure and food intake pattern. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of obesity was (17.2%), overweight (35%), abdominal obesity (24.9...
Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the ... more Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of this study was to assess the HR-QOL in HIV patients who present for treatment in Uyo. The study is a prospective longitudinal study of PLWHA attending HIV clinics. One hundred and sixty-one newly diagnosed HIV patients were recruited by systematic sampling technique proportionately to the two public hospitals in Uyo. The patients were classified into Pre-HAART and HAART groups based on their eligibility to commence HAART. WHOQOL-HIV Bref was the instrument used at recruitment and at four months. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 statistical package. At recruitment, the HR-QOL of the Pre-HAART respondents was better than the HAART respondents across the domains, except for spirituality. While at four months both groups became similar except at social a...
Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals, 2015
Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the ... more Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of this study was to assess the HR-QOL in HIV patients who present for treatment in Uyo. The study is a prospective longitudinal study of PLWHA attending HIV clinics. One hundred and sixty-one newly diagnosed HIV patients were recruited by systematic sampling technique proportionately to the two public hospitals in Uyo. The patients were classified into Pre-HAART and HAART groups based on their eligibility to commence HAART. WHOQOL-HIV Bref was the instrument used at recruitment and at four months. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 statistical package. At recruitment, the HR-QOL of the Pre-HAART respondents was better than the HAART respondents across the domains, except for spirituality. While at four months both groups became similar except at social and environmental domains where Pre HAART fared better. Both groups showed improvement after four months. Provision of appropriate HIV care to an infected person within a short term is associated with improvement in their HR-QOL.
Journal of Global Oncology, 2018
Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their... more Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their disease. Among the factors which limit early presentation are aversion for orthodox medicine due to perceived complexity of health institutions, and belief in superiority of traditional medicine. Patient navigation has been shown to improve patient treatment adherence. There is limited evidence on the impact of PN in Nigeria, and other resource-limited settings. Aim: Study sought to introduce a hospital-based patient navigation program (PNP) and evaluate its impact. Methods: PNP was initiated at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in June 2016 with focus on breast cancer patients. A young, male public health officer, who spoke the local language was recruited and trained to guide cancer breast patients through the hospital. Training focused on hospital services, sensitive communications, patient management process, confidentiality and resource identification. The service was announc...
Asian Journal of Medicine and Health, 2016
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
The asymptomatic nature of toxoplasmosis with its severe consequences, especially in populations ... more The asymptomatic nature of toxoplasmosis with its severe consequences, especially in populations with high HIV infection rate, makes it a disease of public health importance. Being a zoonosis, Toxoplasma gondii infection may be high among people who work with animals. Thus, there is the need to determine the prevalence of the infection among abattoir workers in Uyo, where HIV prevalence rate is in double digits, which could lead to reactivation of toxoplasmosis in those with immunosuppression. Aim: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii infection in abattoir workers in Uyo. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among persons who work with livestock and birds, in Uyo and its environs. Methodology: The study was conducted among 339 workers in abattoirs in Uyo and its environs. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and detection of IgG antibodies to T. gondii using ELISA technique and HIV testing using the national algorithm. Data were analyzed using STATA statistical software version 20, and statistically significant level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies among the study participants was 55.8%. At a univariate level, many factors were associated with T. gondii seropositivity; they were age, sex, level of education, ethnicity, occupation in the abattoir, type of animal exposure, always washing hands before eating in the workplace, and taking of raw/unpasteurized milk. However, after multivariate analysis, participants exposed to poultry, butchers/raw meat sellers, and those who had worked for more than 5 years in abattoirs were at a greater risk of being T. gondii IgG seropositive; odds ratio (OR) 5.46 [confidence interval (CI) 1.88, 15.86]; OR 1.89 (CI 1.14, 3.14), and OR 1.25 (CI 1.25, 6.42), respectively. Conclusion: T. gondii IgG seroprevalence is high among abattoir workers in Uyo, and there is a need for Akwa Ibom State government to establish enlightenment and prevention programs for these occupationally exposed and other populations at risk of infection.
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-clas... more The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 2010
The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents... more The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528 participants, comprising 255 fathers of children with substance use-related problems (study group) and 273 fathers of children without problems (comparison group) attending the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, were assessed, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines for students’ substance use surveys. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were similar. Locally available substances including alcohol were used more frequently than illicit substances by both groups. Possible reasons for using these substances included ready availability, unidentified personal problems, performance enhancement and unemployment. Substance use ison the increase in our ...
The Indian journal of nutrition and dietetics, 2014
Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear)... more Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear) seed, and Persia americana (Avocado) bark, leaves and seed were determined. The inorganic composition of the bark, leaves and seed of Persia americana (Avocado) was investigated and the proximate composition of the Avocado seed also determined. Methods: Dried and pulverized Maize cob, African Pear seeds and Avocado bark, leaves and seeds were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard procedures. Inorganic composition was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Proximate composition by method of A.O.A.C. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed a trace concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and crude proteins in the maize cob. The African pear seed contained very high concentrations of flavonoid and crude protein and moderately high amounts of tannin, saponin and carbohydrate; alkaloids were low in concentration and terpenes, absent. Avocado leaves showed moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein and trace amounts of alkaloid, terpenes and tannins. Also, moderately high concentrations of alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin were observed for Avocado bark and a trace amount of protein. While the Avocado seed contained moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein, alkaloid and carbohydrate were present in trace amount. Sterols, glycosides and anthraquinone were absent in all samples. The inorganic composition result showed relatively high concentration of potassium (very high for seed), calcium (for bark and leaf), magnesium and sulphur in Avocado samples. The Avocado seed contained relatively high content of moisture, carbohydrate and protease inhibitor. Conclusion: While the maize cob may not possess nutritive and pharmacological properties, the African pear seed may possess both, in addition to anti-nutritional factors. The Avocado seed may possess some pharmacological properties. Keywords: Zea mays, Dacryodes edulis , Persia Americana , phytochemicals, proximate composition
Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial fo... more Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial food-borne diseases worldwide. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of E. coli O157 serogroup in fruits, vegetables and animal faecal manures used in some farms in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 250 ready-to-eat fruits such as egg plant, carrot and cucumber and vegetables including fluted pumpkin, water leaf and okra were randomly collected from farms, markets, vendors and sale outlets in the study areas. Animal (cow, goat, poultry, swine) fecal waste samples used as manure (n=100) were collected from various farms in the area. The study employed standard microbiological analysis of these samples. Out of a total of 250 fruits and vegetable samples tested, 39 (15.6%) E. coli were isolated from fruits and vegetables, of which 30 (22.1%) were from washed and 9 (7.9%) from unwashed samples. None of the E. coli isolates belonged to the E. coli O1...
How to cite this article:
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), Nov 1, 2016
To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible age... more To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible agents present in animals used for food, and in their raw or inadequately cooked products. Mortality was compared in a cohort of meat handlers in slaughtering and processing plants with that of the U.S. general population. Excess mortality was observed for conditions known to be associated with infections-these include, septicemia, chronic nephritis, diseases of the kidney and ureter, diseases of the pancreas, cirrhosis of the liver, acute and subacute endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever, functional diseases of the heart, aortic aneurysm, intracranial and intraspinous abscess, and meningitis. Excess mortality was also observed for ischemic heart disease and diabetes, conditions without an established infectious etiology, but which have been linked with infections. If transmissible agents present in food animals and their raw products cause long-term diseases and mortality in humans, this st...
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2016
African Health Sciences, 2013
Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are taking their toll in most low and middle income ... more Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are taking their toll in most low and middle income countries; incidentally, in the same populations that are struggling to deal with communicable diseases, hence presenting a picture of "double tragedy". Most of the researches conducted on NCDs are facility-based; often in urban locations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of high BP in a semi-urban community in Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, where all the adult residents of the community were enrolled. Data was collected using a multi-section questionnaire, including anthropometric measurements. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 for windows and STATA 10. Results: The results showed that 47.0% of the study population had a raised BP >140/90mmHg. At a univariate level, age, sex, higher income, more people in the household, daily cigarette smoking, daily alcohol intake and BMI, showed increased risk for high BP. However, sleeping for at least 8 hours a day showed protective influence against raised BP among the participants. In the adjusted model, only age, sex and BMI remained statistically significant with Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.04 (95%CI; 1.00, 1.08), 0.45 (95%CI; 0.22, 0.90) and 1.08(95%CI; 1.03, 1.13) respectively. The model had an area under curve of 71.9%, Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of raised BP in this semi-urban community, thus the need for intervention and preventive services to curb the looming epidemic of hypertension in this community in particular, and Nigeria as a whole, cannot be overemphasized.
African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2012
The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health ex... more The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health examinations among 387 childbearing women attending three health facilities in Uyo, Nigeria. Respondents were consenting women aged 15-49 years who had a live birth in the two months preceding the survey. Respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires during child welfare clinic visits at each facility. Awareness about pap smears and breast self examination was 14.2% and 35.3% respectively. Testing rates were highest for blood pressure checks, HIV and blood sugar and lowest for Pap smears and mammograms. Health workers were the main informants on preventive tests. Awareness and secondary education enhanced women's uptake of screening services across levels of health care. Secondary education as a minimum and intensified awareness creation about preventive health examinations through media, school based programs, durbars and public health campaigns are vital to the health ...
Journal of Global Health Care Systems, 2013
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-clas... more The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competenc... more Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competence and poorer training of health-care professionals (HCP). These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP, especially regarding clinical breast examination (CBE), pelvic examination (PE), and digital rectal examination (DRE). The study evaluates the effect of MS during a Nigerian training course focusing on CBE, PE, and DRE. It answers the question: What is the immediate outcome of MS-based training, as well as the perspectives of HCP on the use of MS for cancer education? Methods: Participants included a convenience sample of Nigerian physicians and nurses who attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology-sponsored Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course. The intervention was MS using high-fidelity models. The models de...
Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among o... more Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among others has become a public health concern. Risk factors for these diseases have been well studied in high income countries but less studied in developing countries. Objective: The study was to document the prevalence and risk factors of Obesity and high blood pressure among healthy adults in a military settlement in Ibagwa, Southern Nigeria. The study also sought to establish if the prevalence is low among soldiers, given the documented links between physically active lifestyle and a reduction in the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Methods: It was a cross sectional study, 422 subjects (228 males and 214 females) was selected by simple random sampling. Factors assessed included; height, weight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure and food intake pattern. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of obesity was (17.2%), overweight (35%), abdominal obesity (24.9...
Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the ... more Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of this study was to assess the HR-QOL in HIV patients who present for treatment in Uyo. The study is a prospective longitudinal study of PLWHA attending HIV clinics. One hundred and sixty-one newly diagnosed HIV patients were recruited by systematic sampling technique proportionately to the two public hospitals in Uyo. The patients were classified into Pre-HAART and HAART groups based on their eligibility to commence HAART. WHOQOL-HIV Bref was the instrument used at recruitment and at four months. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 statistical package. At recruitment, the HR-QOL of the Pre-HAART respondents was better than the HAART respondents across the domains, except for spirituality. While at four months both groups became similar except at social a...