Practice of Eye Checks among Medical Doctors in South-East Nigeria

Visual impairment greatly affects one’s quality of life. The number of persons with visual impairment and blindness in the world is on the increase. Eye screening allows for early detection of sight-threatening diseases and timely intervention could be sight-saving. Aim: To determine the practice of eye checks and identify the factors that affect periodic eye checks among medical doctors in south-east Nigeria. Methodology: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among practicing medical doctors in private and public hospitals in Anambra State Nigeria, using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Information obtained from the participants included the sociodemographics data, type and duration of practice, presence of any medical and/or ocular condition, family history of eye diseases, history of use of spectacles, practice of eye check and interval of eye check, factors affecting the practice of eye check, and ways of promoting regular eye check. Data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Statistical significance was set at p˂0.05. Results: One hundred and eighty-seven practicing medical doctors were interviewed. There were 123 (65.8%) males and 64 (34.2%) females. Their ages ranged from 24 to 80 years, with a mean age of 44.81 ± 12.73 years. The mean duration of professional practice was 18.16 ± 11.9 years. Majority, 124 (66.3%) works in government-owned hospitals. Among the study participants, 93(49.7%) doctors had been diagnosed with different ocular diseases; 99(52.9%) had a family history of ocular problems; 94(50.3%) had used prescription lenses; and 51(27.3%) had medical conditions. One hundred and twelve (59.9%) had undergone at least eye examinations once, of which 54(48.2%) had their last eye examination over 5 years ago. The prevalence of eye check was 59.9% (95%CI: 52.9 – 66.9%). Eye checks were significantly associated with medical practice of over 20 years (P=0.030), working in a private practice (P=0.001), having eye diseases such as cataract (P=0.006), refractive error (P˂0.001), presbyopia (P˂0.001), and use of prescription spectacles (P˂0.001). ‘Belief of not having eye problems’ and ‘No time’ which accounted for 58.7% and 24.0% respectively were the commonest reasons for not regularly having eye examinations. Conclusion: Poor attitude to periodic eye examinations was seen in medical doctors in south east Nigeria.

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HEMOGLOBIN STATUS OF FEMALE MEDICOS IN URBAN AREA AND FACTORS AFFECTING IT: AN OBSERVATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i3.16440 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 439

Author(s):

Drpadmajauday Kumar ◽

Varsha Kalyanpur

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Green Leafy Vegetables ◽

Nutritional Anemia ◽

Mild Anemia ◽

History Of

ABSTRACTObjectives: Estimating the hemoglobin (Hb) status in female medicos through prospective cross-sectional study and assessment of influencing ofcofactors were objectives.Methods: Women medicos who volunteered, consented and met selection criteria were enrolled. Hb level was estimated to diagnose anemia.Relationship with influencing factors was assessed statistically.Result: A total of 100 eligible students were enrolled. Mean age±standard deviation (SD) age of the participants’ was 20.9±3.1 years (17-25 years).Mean±SD Hb was 12.25±1.0189 g% (9.0-16.0 g%). 33 were anemic, and mild anemia (32%) was frequent. There was a history of worm infestation inthree students (3%), who were treated adequately. Nine were on iron supplements of which five were still anemic and were continuing the treatmentby the end of the study. 28 (84.84%) anemic students were not on any iron or hematinic treatment. There was no association between the anemiaand nature of diet, consumption of green leafy vegetables, consumption of coffee/tea after food, smoking/tobacco or alcohol consumption, mother’seducation, socioeconomic status, menstrual factors, and physical exercise. The prevalence of anemia was found to be higher in underweight andoverweight students in comparison to students with normal body mass index.Asymptomatic participants (n=78) outnumbered symptomatic ones(n=22), but without any statistical significance. Easy fatigability (14%), pallor (7%), breathlessness (6%), weakness (9%), and easy bruising (1%)were frequent complaints.Conclusion: Anemia is frequent among women medicos, often underdiagnosed, under-reported, many remaining asymptomatic. Negligence ofmedical students toward their anemic status despite the awareness of consequences of low Hb level is a serious cause of concern.Keywords: Awareness, Hemoglobin, Nutritional anemia, Women medical students.

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Infertility and associated factors in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i4.57 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 1985-95

Author(s):

Thomas Obinchemti Egbe ◽

Charmaine Ngo Mbaki ◽

Nicholas Tendongfor ◽

Elvis Temfack ◽

Eugene Belley-Priso

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Toxic Substances ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reproductive Tract Infection ◽

History Of

Aim: We determined the prevalence and factors associated with couple infertility in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 18th 2015 to March 18th 2016 in three public hospitals in Douala. Three hundred and sixty participants were studied prospectively for associated fac- tors using a multivariate logistic regression model and 4732 files were studied retrospectively for the prevalence of infertility. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of couple infertility was 19.2%. In logistic models, the factors which independently increased the risk of couple infertility were a history of reproductive tract infection/STI, a history of uterine fibroids, a history of dys- menorrhea and abortion for the females while for males it was a history of mumps, erectile dysfunction and exposure to chemicals/toxic substances/pesticides. Conclusion: One in every five couples in this study was infertile. Several factors affect the risks associated with couple in- fertility. The identification of these factors could help detect subgroups of couples at high risk of infertility. Reproductive health education, screening programmes for STI’s that may lead to infertility should be offered to couples. Keywords: Couple infertility; prevalence; associated factors; Douala; Cameroon.

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Nocturnal enuresis among children in Morogoro region in Tanzania: A cross-sectional survey

Tanzania Medical Journal ◽

10.4314/tmj.v31i1.325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 16-29

Author(s):

Nehemia Kilongo ◽

Francis F. Furia

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

African Region ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Childhood Disorders ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

History Of

Background: Enuresis is common childhood disorders which affecting quality of life of children and causing significant psychosocial disturbances to children and their families. This condition has been widely reported globally with increasing data from sub-Saharan African region. In Tanzania there is no reports on its magnitude and therefore this study was carried out with the aim of determine the prevalence of this condition among children in Tanzania.Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among children aged between 5 and 14 years recruited from 12 streets in Morogoro Municipality in Tanzania. Standardized Swahili questionnaire was used to collect data including socio-demographic details of parents, children and presence of enuresis. Socio-demographic data included age of the child, sex, level of education of the parents, education of the child, presence of bed wetting, history of enuresis in the family.Results: Five hundred and ten children were recruited into this study out of which 271 (53.1%) were females and mean age of study participants was 9±2.8 years. Enuresis was noted in 19% (97/510) of children, 68% (66/97) and 32% (31/97) had primary and secondary enuresis respectively. Significantly higher prevalence rates of enuresis were noted for children aged below 8 years 26.4% (43/162) and those with family history of enuresis 47% (18/38) with p values of 0.01 and < 0.001 respectively. Forty-one (42.3%) out of 97 respondents whose children had enuresis reported to have punished their children and only 21.4% (20/97) reported to have sought treatment for their children.Conclusions: Enuresis is common among children in Tanzania particularly those with positive family history. Punishment to children with enuresis was noted in this study and only one in five parents/guardians sought treatment for their affected children. Therefore, there is a need for initiatives for raising community awareness about enuresis in Tanzania Key words: Enuresis in children, prevalence of enuresis in Tanzania, factors affecting enuresis in children.

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The Effects of the Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workplace (CREW) Program on Social Climate and Work Engagement in a Psychiatric Ward in Japan: A Pilot Study

Nursing Reports ◽

10.3390/nursrep11020031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 320-330

Author(s):

Utako Sawada ◽

Akihito Shimazu ◽

Norito Kawakami ◽

Yuki Miyamoto ◽

Lisa Speigel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Work Engagement ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Social Climate ◽

Psychiatric Ward ◽

Medical Doctors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Staff Members ◽

Utrecht Work Engagement Scale ◽

Healthcare Settings

Background: Good social climate and high work engagement are important factors affecting outcomes in healthcare settings. This study observed the effects of a program called Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workplace (CREW) on social climate and staff work engagement in a psychiatric ward of a Japanese hospital. Methods: The program comprised 18 sessions installed over six months, with each session lasting 30-min. Participation in the program was recommended to all staff members at the ward, including nurses, medical doctors, and others, but it was not mandatory. A serial cross-sectional study collected data at four time-points. Nurses (n = 17 to 22), medical doctors (n = 9 to 13), and others (n = 6 to 10) participated in each survey. The analysis of variance was used to evaluate the changes in the following dependent variables, the Essen climate evaluation schema (EssenCES), the CREW civility scale, and the Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES) over time. Result: We found no significant effects. The effect size (Cohen’s d) for EssenCES was 0.35 from baseline to post-installation for all staff members. Effect sizes for EssenCES for medical doctors and UWES for nurses were 0.79 and 0.56, respectively, from baseline to post-program. Conclusions: Differences in social climate and work engagement among Japanese healthcare workers between the baseline and post-installation of the CREW program were non-significant.

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Subjective cognitive complaints at age 70: associations with amyloid and mental health

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2020-325620 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jnnp-2020-325620

Author(s):

Ivanna M. Pavisic ◽

Kirsty Lu ◽

Sarah E. Keuss ◽

Sarah-Naomi James ◽

Christopher A. Lane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Amyloid Pathology ◽

History Of ◽

Β Amyloid ◽

Anxiety Depression

ObjectiveTo investigate subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in relation to β-amyloid pathology and to test for associations with anxiety, depression, objective cognition and family history of dementia in the Insight 46 study.MethodsCognitively unimpaired ~70-year-old participants, all born in the same week in 1946 (n=460, 49% female, 18% amyloid-positive), underwent assessments including the SCD-Questionnaire (MyCog). MyCog scores were evaluated with respect to 18F-Florbetapir-PET amyloid status (positive/negative). Associations with anxiety, depression, objective cognition (measured by the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite, PACC) and family history of dementia were also investigated. The informant’s perspective on SCD was evaluated in relation to MyCog score.ResultsAnxiety (mean (SD) trait anxiety score: 4.4 (3.9)) was associated with higher MyCog scores, especially in women. MyCog scores were higher in amyloid-positive compared with amyloid-negative individuals (adjusted means (95% CIs): 5.3 (4.4 to 6.1) vs 4.3 (3.9 to 4.7), p=0.044), after accounting for differences in anxiety. PACC (mean (SD) −0.05 (0.68)) and family history of dementia (prevalence: 23.9%) were not independently associated with MyCog scores. The informant’s perception of SCD was generally in accordance with that of the participant.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study demonstrates that symptoms of SCD are associated with both β-amyloid pathology, and more consistently, trait anxiety in a population-based cohort of older adults, at an age when those who are destined to develop dementia are still likely to be some years away from symptoms. This highlights the necessity of considering anxiety symptoms when assessing Alzheimer’s disease pathology and SCD.

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Differential expression of micro RNA-29 family in non-diabetic adults of diabetic and non-diabetic parents

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-021-05703-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Uzair Abbas ◽

Bushra Imdad ◽

Sikander Adil Mughal ◽

Israr Ahmed Baloch ◽

Afshan Mehboob Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Family History ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vital Role ◽

Micro Rna ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Family History Of Diabetes ◽

History Of

Abstract Objective MicroRNAs are known to regulate 60% of genes at post translational level. MicroRNAs including Micro RNA-29 family play a vital role in cellular activities and have validate role in numerous metabolic disorders inclusive of diabetes mellitus and its complications. While micro RNA profile changes years before the occurrence of disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in non-diabetic adults of diabetic and non-diabetic parents to explore the early changes in expression of micro RNA-29 family as it can be served as early biomarker of type 2 diabetes in non-diabetic adults. This study was conducted from January 2019 to January 2021. Micro RNA was extracted from plasma of 50 participants and expression was compared through qPCR. While data was analyzed through SPSS version 21.0. Results 29a and 29b had lower expression in participants with family history of DM compared to those having no family history of DM (P < 0.0001). While micro RNA 29c was found to be significantly higher in participants with positive family history of type 2 diabetes as compared to those without family history of diabetes (P = 0.001).

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Impact of family history of metabolic traits on severity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis related cirrhosis: A cross-sectional study

Liver International ◽

10.1111/liv.13396 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (9) ◽

pp. 1397-1404 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ajeet S. Bhadoria ◽

Chandan K. Kedarisetty ◽

Chhagan Bihari ◽

Guresh Kumar ◽

Ankur Jindal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Metabolic Traits ◽

Alcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽

History Of

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High Rate of Obesity-Associated Hypertension among Primary Schoolchildren in Sudan

International Journal of Hypertension ◽

10.4061/2011/629492 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Zeena Salman ◽

Gregory D. Kirk ◽

Mark D. DeBoer

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

High Rate ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Primary Schoolchildren ◽

History Of ◽

Family History Of Hypertension

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently has roots in childhood, including following childhood-onset hypertension. Incidence of CVD has increased in developing countries in East Africa during recent urbanization. Effects of these shifts on childhood hypertension are unclear. Our objectives were to (1) Determine the prevalence of hypertension among primary schoolchildren in Khartoum, Sudan; (2) Determine whether hypertension in this setting is associated with obesity. We performed a cross sectional study of 6-12y children from two schools randomly selected in Khartoum, Sudan. Height, weight, BMI, BP and family history of hypertension were assessed. Age-, height- and gender-specific BP curves were used to determine pre-hypertension (90–95%) and hypertension (>95%). Of 304 children, 45 (14.8%) were overweight; 32 (10.5%) were obese; 15 (4.9%) were pre-hypertensive and 15 (4.9%) were hypertensive. Obesity but not family history of hypertension was associated with current hypertension. In multiple logistic regression, adjusting for family history, children who were obese had a relative-risk of 14.7 (CI 2.45-88.2) for systolic hypertension compared to normal-weight children. We conclude that overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among primary schoolchildren in urban Sudan and are strongly associated with hypertension. That obesity-associated cardiovascular sequelae exist in the developing world at young ages may be a harbinger of future CVD in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Study on Associated Risk Factors of Hypertension at Sipaghat of Sindhupalchowk District, Nepal

Nepalese Journal of Statistics ◽

10.3126/njs.v1i0.18818 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 73-82

Author(s):

Naresh Manandhar

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Family History ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Lifestyle Modification ◽

Percent Level ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Family History Of Hypertension ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Background: Hypertension is a progressive cardiovascular syndrome arising from complex and interrelated etiologies. Males have slightly higher prevalence than female in most of countries of Southeast-Asian region.Objective: The objective of study is to find out prevalence and the risk factors of hypertension at Sipaghat, Sindhulchowk, Nepal.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sipaghat of Sindhupalchowk district in May 2016 and 260 persons were selected randomly. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was higher in male (25.4%) than female (17.4%). Mean age of study population was 42.08 years with standard deviation, 15.95 years. Variables namely age group, smoking, alcohol consumption and family history of hypertension were found to be significant at 5 percent level of significance. Alcohol consumption and smokers have more than two times higher chance of getting hypertension compared to alcohol non-consumer and nonsmoker with 95% confidence intervals were 1.08-4.80 and 1.21-6.10, respectively. Persons with family history of hypertension have 3.8 times more chance of getting hypertension compared to no family history of hypertension with 1.89-7.61 of 95% confidence interval.Conclusion: Lifestyle modification reduces blood pressure which prevents or delays the incidence of hypertension. Hypertension can be controlled and prevented by modifying the lifestyle. People should be advised to avoid modifiable risk factors of hypertension like smoking, consumption of alcohol and physical inactivity through health education programs.Nepalese Journal of Statistics, 2017, Vol. 1, 73-82

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What is known about Prostate Cancer? Response from Men Aged 50 Years and Above in Lindi Municipal, Tanzania

Tanzania Medical Journal ◽

10.4314/tmj.v31i2.363 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 33-44

Author(s):

Simon Francis ◽

Obadia V. Nyongole

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Family History ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adult Men ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

High Level

Background: The incidence of prostate cancer in Tanzania is among the highest recorded in Africa. Prostate cancer is also the most common cancer among men aged 50 years and above in Tanzania. Our study aimed to determine the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes among adult men with age 50 years and above regarding prostate cancer.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 250 adult men aged 50 years and above in Lindi municipal being purposively selected and we interviewed them by using a structured questionnaire. A stratified random sampling method was used for obtaining our participants. All men who had stayed for not less than one year in Lindi and willing to participate were enrolled in the study. These men were selected at households without screening whether or not they had taken prostate screening test or had been diagnosed with prostate cancer Quantitative data were cleaned and analyzed with SPSS version 20.Results: Majority, 216(86.7%) of our study participants were aged 50–69 years and most of them, 142(56.8%) had primary education with 93.2% of them being married. Among the study subjects 7.2% had positive family history of cancer and 195(78%) were aware of prostate cancer with source of information being mass media (62.6%). Majority of them, 63.2%, did not know the risk age group. Few, 20.8% of our participants had good knowledge while majority, 95.2% had negative attitude toward prostate cancer. We found a statistically significant association between level of education, family history and level of knowledge regarding prostate cancer with p < 0.005.Conclusion: This study revealed high level of awareness, but poor knowledge regarding prostate cancer and negative attitude toward prostate cancer among men with age ≥50 years in Lindi municipal Tanzania. Key words: Awareness, knowledge, attitude, prostate cancer.

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