Feeding habits, Overweight, Obesity and Hypertension and Associated Factors among Polytechnic Students in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Overweight and obesity is a risk factor to chronic non-communicable diseases. This study assessed level of overweight/obesity and blood pressure among students of a higher institution in Southwest Nigeria. This cross-section study involved 300 students of a public higher institution in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, feeding pattern and lifestyle of the students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized into normal weight (BMI<25) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25). Waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were classified as normal and at risk. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Chi square test was used to establish relationship between variables at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the students was 22.25 years and 62.8% were above 20years. Monthly allowanceless than ₦30000.00 was received by 64.4% of the students, 47.3% skipped breakfast meal, 96% consumed carbonated soft drinks and 37.1% did not engaged in physical exercise. Prevalence of general obesity was 17.1% (BMI≥25); 7% and 15.5% were at risk of abdominal and central obesity respectively. Students in systolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension were 33.3% and 3% respectively whereas 15.5% and 2.4% were in diastolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension respectively. Female gender, monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 and adolescent stage were associated with obesity. Older age, male gender and monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 were associated with BP. Nutrition education is recommended for this population group.

Public Information Systems and Alternative Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer in India

Background: Early detection can decrease incidences of mortality related to cancer in India. Primary tests at detection centres (generally established in urban areas and mobile facilities), need to be followed by specialized cancer centric tests. This leaves a gap for discontinuation of diagnostic process. Other factors like the prevalence of Complimentary and Alternate medicine systems (CAM), availability of mainstream healthcare services, cultural and social beliefs need to be understood for new formats for diagnosis and treatment to be devised for minimizing delay in cancer diagnosis. Objective: This study was conducted in order:i. To understand role of various extrinsic factors in the development of cancer diagnostics and reason for adoption of CAM treatment strategies. And,ii. To develop a holistic understanding of these factors and their role in influencing delay in diagnosis of cancer in the Indian population. Methods: Through comprehensive analysis from a systems point of view, problems with systemic, economical, technological and socio-cultural factors emerged as reasons for slow development in the fight against cancer. Existing diagnostic and awareness dissemination networks are also analyzed for their strengths and weaknesses. Case studies on problems in early detection of cancer have pinned cognitive barriers like attitude, social practices and information to be the primary cause for low detection rates and high mortality. Interestingly, many studies point at “people’s attitude towards the disease” as a major bottleneck in adoption of mainstream medicine treatment. Results: This paper presents a review of multiple studies about factors influencing cancer diagnostics and treatment in India. Incorporating these factors, some postulates of a nascent model for development and recalibration of cancer diagnostic network are proposed. Cancer diagnostics involves tackling preconceived notions about cancer, challenging established sociocultural systems and reshaping social practices and people’s lifestyle. Public outreach programs (like camps, community events, ASHA workers and celebrity brand ambassadors) can be effective in changing attitudes in rural areas. Conclusions: CAM therapies are a group of traditional and modern medical practices that offer a pantheon of opportunities, however they can be dangerous to patients’ health if not used wisely. We support the suggestions made by other authors that an approach in integrative oncology may be effective for utilizing best of mainstream and complementary cancer treatment practices.

Parental Food Beliefs on Pre-School-Aged Children in Kaski District of Nepal: A Qualitative Review

Background: This study explores food beliefs among poor mothers related to feeding their offspring. Mothers’ misconception of a healthy diet is one of the major causes of nutritional problems in preschool-aged children in Nepal and these beliefs and attitudes can result in the inappropriate feeding of young children. Objectives: The main objectives of this study were:• identify major barriers for recommending healthy food that are associated with existing cultures, religions and ethnic divisions;• assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about nutritious food amongst mothers;• assess health-seeking behaviour for children of low socio-economic status. Methods: Study used a qualitative focus group discussion. Fifty participants took part in seven focus groups to explore their food beliefs. The qualitative focus groups aimed to collect in-depth information around food beliefs and data were thematically analysed. Results: The study identified six key themes: (a) poverty; (b) knowledge; (c) policy; (d) beliefs about breastfeeding; (e) food beliefs: and (f) health-seeking behaviours/cultural influences. Many participants thought that illiterate and underserved populations are generally exposed due to financial scarcity, poor knowledge and strongly rooted in cultural practices, and beliefs. This study found ‘diversified views’ as a major barrier to food and health-seeking behaviours. Some groups recognised the negative effects of existing beliefs and taboos. However, the spiritual healers highlighted the importance of linking beliefs with cultural and religious norms and values. They showed the complex relationships between food and health-seeking behaviours and food recommendations with financial status and the perceived cultural practices of society. Conclusions: This study suggests that a public health approach is needed to address nutrition problems associated with behaviour and revealed major barriers which were associated with poverty, resources, and mothers’ education level.

“Darpan” – A Self-Introspection on Women’s Mental Health

Women’s mental health is a crucial and important aspect in her overall well-being but neglected as it is often asymptomatic. It is interesting to reflect on mental health for a woman who has multiple responsibilities - Her own, family, career, and responsibilities to the community and the impact it has on women career continuity and career progression. The ideal situation would be all for all groups to be partners and stakeholders in the same so that women can balance career along with other responsibilities. The article throws light on how postponing the career opportunities of women become a hurdle for her to restart her career and pacify her passion and how it affects the mental wellbeing.

eHealth and Telemedicine in India: An Overview on the Health Care Need of the People

We have reached far ahead today when it comes to the telemedicine technology which was first installed in Boston in 1967 that made a regular interaction between physicians and patients at distant locations. Being a developing and lower-middle income country, currently India faces shortage of doctors, nurses & midwives, and healthcare infrastructure. Around 70% of Indian population lives in remote and rural villages lacking access to basic healthcare facilities. In such situations telemedicine plays a great role in providing quality and affordable healthcare to India’s poorest people, and is expected to bridge the rural-urban health divide. Whether telemedicine technology meets its objective to provide adequate healthcare services to the poor remote and rural population is matter of great concern. This article aims to provide an overview on this issue.

Routes of Transmission 2019-nCoV and Optometry Practice

A novel β-coronavirus (2019 novel coronavirus) affected severe as well to uniform fetal pneumonia, travelled through a seafood bazaar of Wuhan town, Hubei region, China, also quickly extent toward excess boonies of China and more nations. The 2019-nCoV existed dissimilar after SARS-CoV, then cooperative the similar crowd receptor the social ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme2). The regular crowd of 2019 novel coronavirus could conventional continue bat Rhinolophusaffin is a 2019 novel coronavirus presented 96.2% of entire-genome character toward BatCoV RaTG13. The person-to-person spread methods of 2019-nCoV involved tool, identical cough, sneeze droplet inhalation transmission, and obtain in-tuned with transmission, just like the interaction by way of oral, nasal, as well as eye mucous films. 2019-nCoV container too exist spread over the saliva, alsothus the fetal–oral ways similarly can remain a possible person-to-person spread mode. The observers now optometry run through representation just before the incredible danger of 2019-nCoV contagion because of the face-to-face announcement too thus the expose en route for tears, plasma, plus additional body liquids, besides therefore the diagnostic and treatment of apparatuses. Eye care professional perform inordinate heroes in stopping the spread of 2019-nCoV. At this time we indorse the contagion control actions all through optometry exercise just before block the person-to-person spread ways in eye care health center as well as hospitals.

Yielding Accuracy of Morning and Spot Sputum Samples for Diagnosis Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Using Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay at EPHI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis is a global health problem and leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Correct diagnosis of tuberculosis is the main challenge for control of tuberculosis. World health organization has prioritized improving diagnostic guidelines and tests for TB diagnosis. Priority has been given for development of new Tuberculosis diagnostic methods. But diagnosis of Tuberculosis highly affected by quality specimen collected which has been given less attention. The aim of this is to assess Yielding accuracy of morning and spot sputum samples for diagnosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Gene Xpert Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB)/Rifampicin Resistance (RIF).Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted and convenient sampling technique used to select participants. Checklists used to collect the data from April 1 to May 30, 2018 G.C. A total of two hundred twenty two (222) sputum samples from 111 suspected tuberculosis patients were analyzed using Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: From 111 TB suspected patients, 55.9% were male and the rest of 44.1% was female. In terms of sample quality, 81.1% morning sputum samples and 79.3% spot sputum samples were had good sample quality. The outcomes of the research show an increase in odds value in sputum quality and sputum consistency for TB diagnosis. But, the relation is not significant associationwith TB positivity.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the diagnosis of TB using spot sputum samples as well as using morning sputum samples is almost similar for detection of MTB by Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay. Physical Quality of sputum sample or consistency is not association with TB positivity using Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay. Results: From 111 TB suspected patients, 55.9% were male and the rest of 44.1% was female. In terms of sample quality, 81.1% morning sputum samples and 79.3% spot sputum samples were had good sample quality. The outcomes of the research shows an increase in odds value in sputum quality and sputum consistency for TB diagnosis. But, the relation is not significant association with TB positivity. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the diagnosis of TB using spot sputum samples as well as using morning sputum samples is almost similar for the detection of MTB by Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay. Physical Quality of sputum sample or consistency is not associated with TB positivity using Gene Xpert MTB/RIF Assay.

Trend of Mortality by Water Related Intestinal infectious Diseases: A Study of National Capital Territory of Delhi, (2001 to 2011)

National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is experiencing rapid urbanization for the last few decades. The area is lagging behind in water and waste management infrastructure. This is due to the fact that Delhi is recording high growth rate of population mostly through in-migration over the year which is taxing much upon the existing water resources and the provisions made for water supply. Consequently demand is higher than supply of the safe drinking water. The consumption of unsafe drinking water is therefore increasing and is causing serious health problems among the fellow residents of NCT of Delhi. These health problems are basically related to the digestive as well as excretory systems of the human body. These disorders are promoting mortality particularly among those segments of population which do not have access to potable drinking water. This paper is therefore a modest attempt towards examining the population growth rate and the scenarios of demand and supply for potable water as well as the overall water related intestinal infections and related mortality at present and their future occurrence. This requires synergy between the different sectors of the state to overcome the problem. of intestinal infection diseases in the region.

Evaluation of Patient Radiation Doses in Skull Radiography

Purpose: Exposures to medical ionizing radiations elevate the risk of stochastic effects such as cancer in exposed individuals. It is of utmost importance to monitor the radiation doses delivered to patients and their optimization to reduce the associated radiation risks without limiting the diagnostic information. Methods: Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) in a total of 64 adult patients in diagnostic digital Xray examinations were calculated and effective doses were estimated as per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Results: Median ESAK (mGy) and associated effective doses obtained were skull PA (0.45mGy, 0.005mSv) and skull Lat (0.25mGy, 0.003mSv). Results were compared with UK diagnostic reference levels and studies in India.Conclusion: The comparison revealed that the calculated ESAK and effective dose values wereless than the published literature. ESAK values reported in this study could further contribute toestablishing LDRLs.

Comparative Analysis of CT and MRI in Emergency Assessment of Stroke: A Review

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)in emergency assessment of stroke in brain imaging from the review of literature. Method: Relevant databases (PubMed, google scholar etc.) were searched and literature were reviewed from 1995 to 2019. Literature from non-Scopus and unauthorized authorizations was excluded.Result: It was observed that for MRI DWI (Diffusion-weighted imaging) is preferred and in CT, axial sections are opted. In earlier studies, it was seen that neither CT nor MRI came out to besuperior. This may be due to the previous technology used. Some studies also, suggested that Diffusion-weighted imaging is highly accurate in diagnosis of stroke and also superior to CT. Another study suggested that SWI is a new approach in visualizing the hemorrhage in acute stroke. On one hand, evidence revealed that MRI is as good as CT. While on the other hand, literature concluded that CT angiography is good for intracranial and extracranial vasculature. Some studies suggested that CT is more reliable and is readily available for stroke. Conclusion: Present study concludes that both diagnostic imaging modalities i.e., CT and MRI have their advantages in diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Also chances of stroke increases with increase in age. Other factors influencing the stroke diagnosis and treatment are type of stroke, diagnostic imaging modality available, and cost-effectiveness of diagnostic exams performed.