Quality of life in patients with erectile dysfunction in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men is increasingly becoming a major problem worldwide. The damaging effects on the psyche and the anxiety regarding sexual performance and overall life satisfaction could be irreversible. AIMS: The objective of this study was to compare domains of quality of life (QOL) in men with ED in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in order to determine the contextual social variables. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study, 400 male patients attending the general outpatient clinic between January and March 2009 were randomly assessed for ED and QOL, using abridged version of the International Index of Erectile function and the World Health Organization Quality of life instrument. RESULTS: A total of 166 (41.7%) subjects suffered from ED, 80 (48.2%) from medical illness, 56 (33.7%) from surgical problems and 30 (18.1%) from undiagnosed problems. Social relationships and psychological health indices of QOL were severely impaired in men with ED than the general, overall, physical and environmental health. CONCLUSION: An inference from this study suggests that sexual function promotes psychological well-being as well as interpersonal relationships. Therefore, monitoring these indices of QOL in men with ED is important to boost their confidence and self-esteem needed for a better QOL.

Assessing the psychological well-being of caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

Despite the availability of anti-retroviral drugs and treatment, the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS has continued to be a major challenge, with greater impact not only on the people living the disease. The burden associated with care often results in high level of stress among caregivers, usually manifesting as anxiety and/or depression. This study assesses the levels of stress among caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta region of Nigeria, in order to determine their coping strategies. Between July and December 2008, 322 caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS attending HIV clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were randomly assessed for stress (anxiety and depression), using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A total of 293 caregivers comprising 98 (33.4%) males and 195 (66.6%) females were analysed. Mean age of males was 44.0 ± 4.5 years and females was 39.3 ± 4.0 years. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 293 caregivers, 191 (65.2%) and 115 (39.2%) were scored high on SDS and SRQ-20, respectively (representing the levels of stress). Using SDS groups on SRQ-20 subscales, 134 (45.7%) had anxiety only, 23 (7.8%) depression only, 52 (17.7%) had a mixture of anxiety and depression, while 11 (3.7%) exhibited suicidal tendencies. There is increasing level of stress in caregiving. Therefore, adequate attention must be given to the psychological well-being of caregivers to enable them contribute positively to the care of people living with HIV/AIDS.

A comparative study of aggression amongst Nigerian university students in Niger Delta region.

There is genuine concern over social violence and aggression among youths in many countries. Despite considerable efforts directed toward molding the pattern of model behavior, frequent disturbances and various antisocial vices among youths in our environment may be due to failure to acknowledge the risk factors associated with aggression. The objective of this study was to assess the level of aggressive traits among students in higher institutions, as well as identifying the possible predictive factors. Using a two-stage random sampling method, 515 fifteen students, comprising 306 from arts and 209 from medicine faculties, University of Uyo were screened for aggressive traits; using Buss-Perry Aggression (BPAQ) Questionnaire. A total of 306 arts students and 209 medical students fully completed the questionnaire. Among the arts students, 127 (41.5%) were males and 179 (58.5%) females. Similarly, of the 209 medical students, 143 (68.4%) were males and 66 (31.6%) females. The mean age for arts students was 28.7 years (SD = 7.9); while that of medical students was 23.6 years (SD = 4.9). The difference in the mean was statistically significant (t = 8.15, P = 0.001). A total of 139 (45 .4%) of arts students showed abnormal overall score for aggression as against 74 (35.4%) of medical students. This difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 5.139, P = 0.01). There was also significant difference in the physical and verbal aggression subscales as 123 (40.2%) of arts against 53 (25.4%) medical students showed physical aggression (χ(2) = 12.15, P = 0.001), while 82 (26.8%) against 109 (52.2%) showed verbal aggression (χ(2) = 34.218, P = 0.001). Verbal aggression was positively correlated with female students; males have 2.98 odds ratio of being aggressive (P = 0.001). There is a high level of aggressive traits among students in higher institutions of learning. This can manifest in behaviors and vices capable of disturbing public peace and academic activities in schools. Therefore, there is need to curb aggression in order to create conducive learning environment and maintain societal norms.

Demographic risk factors in domestic violence among pregnant women in Uyo, a community in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

There has been increasing global concern about the level of violence against pregnant women. Anecdotal evidence from general observations shows that there may be higher prevalence in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Unfortunately, in spite of the emerging and alarming social indicators for violence against women in the area, little effort has been made to address this dangerous trend. One major concern has been the effects of violence on pregnancy and the difficulty in protecting the pregnant women, since managing violence is often unsuccessful. There is therefore the need to evaluate the magnitude, as well as the risk factors for violence and the sociodemographic characteristics of the women, for purposes of prevention.

Quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite the global efforts and huge financial investment in HIV/AIDS, the quality of life in people living with the disease continues to deteriorate, posing serious problems with increased mortality. AIM: The objectives of the study were: (i) to assess the quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS, and (ii) to compare quality of life in males and females living with the disease. METHODS: A total of 309 people living with HIV/AIDS from the HIV clinic, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were randomly assessed for quality of life, using HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of life (HAT-QOL) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 265 (85.8%) respondents consisting of 113 (36.6%) males and 152 (49.2%) females were analyzed. The mean age for males was 36.8 +/- 4.0 years and females 31.9 +/- 3.3 years. The difference in mean was statistically significant (t = 31.831, p < 0.01), occupation was statistically significant (chi(2) = 11.348, p < 0.02). Females showed lower quality of life in comparable domains than males. The differences in life satisfaction (chi(2) = 10.362, p < 0.01) and health worries (chi(2) = 9.944, p < 0.01) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed impairment in quality of life, except in medication worries and sexual function in people living with HIV/AIDS. Improvement in HAT-QoL indices will enhance positive quality of life.

Aggressive behaviour among in-school adolescents in a developing country: patterns and associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the pattern of aggression among senior secondary school students in Calabar and the psychosocial factors that are associated with it. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 453 randomly selected senior secondary school students utilizing a self-administered Socio-demographic questionnaire obtain data regarding age, gender etc. and a brief interview using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) to determine aggression. RESULTS: The mean weighted MOAS score was 26.94 ± 0.02. Males had significantly higher weighted MOAS total score than females (t=6.466, p<0.001). There was no gender difference in their aggression against objects but the older adolescents scored higher than the younger ones (t=2.029, p=0.043). Males scored higher in verbal aggression (t=3.064, p=0.002) and physical aggression (t=7.002, p<0.001). In the aggression against self-domain, females scored higher than males (t=1.961, p=0.050). All the domains of aggression correlated positively with the total weighted MOAS score, the strongest being with physical aggression (r=0.908, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Gender appears to play a significant role in aggression among the participants. That females scored higher in aggression to self may have implications for prevention of suicide among youths.

Sociodemographic Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Elderly Persons Attending the General Outpatient Clinics of a Tertiary Hospital, South-South Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In the last few decades, the evaluation of the quality of life (QoL) among older adults has become increasingly important in health as well as in social sciences. There has been growing emphasis on the need to understand what influences older people's QoL as it is argued to be of greater value than the traditional outcome measures, such as health status. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the sociodemographic factors affecting the QoL of elderly patients attending the General Outpatient Clinics of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo. METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Three hundred and ten elderly persons attending the General Outpatient Clinics of the UUTH for medical conditions between July and September 2014 were consecutively recruited for the study. Details of sociodemographic information were taken, and QoL of respondents was assessed using the older persons' QoL questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences-17.0, and the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the three hundred and ten respondents recruited for the study, One hundred and seventy-seven (57.1%) were female and one hundred and thirty-three (42.9%) were male. The female-to-male ratio was 1.3:1. The age range of the respondents was between 60 and 90 years and the mean age (±standard deviation) was 67.4 (±6.6) years. Two hundred and thirty-two respondents (74.8%) had at least primary level of education and one hundred and sixty-one (51.9%) were married. The median monthly income was ₦ 25,500.00 with interquartile range of ₦ 10,000.00 to ₦ 50,000.00. From the study, 85.5% of the elderly reported an overall good QoL. High-income grade (P = 0.019), high social class (P = 0.036), and high level of education (P < 0.001) were the factors associated with good QoL in this study on univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of respondents reported an overall good QoL. High-income grade, high social class, and high level of education were the factors associated with good QoL.

Overweight and obesity profiles in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity are global public health problems because of their effect on individuals, families and communities. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of overweight and obesity amongst adult out patients in Uyo in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study done between October 2011 and March 2012. Using a systematic sampling technique, 584 subjects aged 18-65 years were recruited; data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Subjects were measured for height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Subjects with a BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 - 29.9 kg/m2 were regarded as being overweight whilst a BMI of > 30.0 kg/m2 was regarded as obese. Subjects with a WHR of > 0.90 for men or > 0.85 for women were regarded as having abnormal WHR. RESULTS: Of the 584 subjects, 196 (36.6%) were men and 388 (66.4%) women. The mean age for men and women was 43.3 ± 17.8 years and 50.2 ± 13.6 years, respectively. The prevalence of overweight amongst men was 39.8% versus 31.7% for women; obesity in men was 28.0% versus 52.0% in women. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in subjects aged 25-54 years and amongst married subjects. There was a significant relationship between obesity and television viewing (p = 0.003). Hypertension (p = 0.008) and osteoarthropathies (p = 0.043) were more prevalent amongst the obese than the non-obese subjects. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity are now common in our environment. There is therefore a need for more public education about the health consequences of big body size.

Psychological distress in women with chronic bronchitis in a fishing community in the niger delta region of Nigeria.

Background. Biomass smoke exposure is a known risk factor for chronic bronchitis. Psychiatric comorbidities may have significant impact on the quality of life of patients with chronic bronchitis. Methods. Women who engage in fish preservation by drying over burning firewood in a fishing community were recruited for this survey. The British medical research questionnaire was used to determine chronic bronchitis, and psychological distress was determined using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results. A total of 342 women were recruited for this study and 63 of them had chronic bronchitis. 96 women had features suggestive of psychological distress: 57 (16.6%) women with anxiety, 51 (14.9%) women with depression and 12 women (3.5%) had combined features. Psychological distress was more common among women with chronic bronchitis. Anxiety was significantly associated with chronic bronchitis and the level of biomass exposure while depression was significantly associated with chronic bronchitis, level of exposure, and a history of sleeping in the fish smoking room. Conclusion. Anxiety and depression show significant association with chronic bronchitis among women with biomass smoke exposure with the level of exposure having an aggravating effect on the relationship.

Attitudes and sexual behaviours of unmarried people with HIV/AIDS living in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Background Increasing morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS may be attributable to the lifestyle of individuals. Appropriate sexual behaviour and lifestyle modification may be helpful strategies for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in many countries. Aim The study was designed to assess the impact of attitudes and sexual behaviour on control of HIV/AIDS among unmarried people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, a community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Method A total of 365 unmarried individuals living with HIV/AIDS were assessed at the HIV clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Attitudes and sexual behaviour were evaluated using the Attitude and Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire adapted from previous studies. Results Of the 365 individuals living with HIV/AIDS, 142 (38.9%) were male and 223 (61.1%) were female. The majority of the subjects were below 50 years of age. The mean ages (± SD) of men and women were 36.8 ± 3.9 and 29.2 ± 1.7 years, respectively. Sexual attitudes and behaviours were variable. There was no change in the partner's reaction to sex for 28.9% of men and 27.8% of women, abstinence in 7.7% of men and 8.1% of women, and breakdown of the relationship with the partner for 4.9% of men and 7.2% of women. More women than men agreed to undergo testing after their partners had tested positive for HIV. Sexual activity was higher in women than men, with 4.9% of men and 10.3% of women reporting daily sexual intercourse, 16.2% of men and 15.7% of women reporting weekly intercourse, and occasional sexual intercourse being reported by 44.4% of both men and women. After testing positive, 58.4% of male partners and 56.9% of female partners were persuaded to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Conclusion This study has demonstrated unhealthy attitudes and sexual behaviour among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This can potentially limit efforts and investment in controlling HIV/AIDS in this region. Therefore there is a need to initiate concrete policies and programmes that would encourage people living with HIV/AIDS in the Niger Delta region to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Self-Medication: potential risks and hazards among pregnant women in Uyo, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The objective of this study was to assess the level of self-medication amongst Nigerian pregnant women in order to determine possible harmful effects on fetus. METHODS: Five hundred and eighteen 518 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 40 years, drawn from three General hospitals in Akwa Ibom State were assessed for self-medication and substance abuse using an instrument, adapted from a modified form of 117-item self-report questionnaire based on the WHO guidelines for students' substance use survey. RESULTS: Of the 518 pregnant women assessed, 375 (72.4%) indulged in one form of self-medication or the other; 143 (27.6%) used only drugs prescribed from the antenatal clinic. A total of 157 (41.9%) pregnant women self-medicate fever/pain relievers; 47 (9.1%) mixture of herbs and other drugs; 15 (4.0%) sedatives; 13 (3.5%) alcohol; while 5 (1.3%) used kolanuts. Reasons for using these substances range from protection from witches and witchcrafts, preventing pregnancy from coming out, for blood; poor sleep, fever and vomiting and infections. There was a significant difference in the rate of using analgesics (X2=9.43, p=0.001); and antibiotic (X2=4.43, p=0.001) among pregnant women who were highly educated compared to those with little or no education. However, the level of education has no impact in the usage of native herbs. CONCLUSION: This study shows that self-medication is common among pregnant women in our environment. There is need for adequate education of pregnant women during antenatal clinics on the potential danger of self-medication so as to prevent child and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Detection of mental disorders with the Patient Health Questionnaire in primary care settings in Nigeria.

Mental disorders lead to difficulties in social, occupational and marital relations. Failure to detect mental disorder denies patients potentially effective treatment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and nature of mental disorders at the primary care settings and the recognition of these disorders by the attending physicians. Over a period of eight weeks, consecutive and consenting patients who attended three randomly selected primary health care facilities in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun state were recruited and administered a questionnaire that included a socio-demographic section and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). A total of 412 subjects took part in the study. Subject age ranged from 18-90 years with a mean age of 52.50±21.08 years. One hundred and seventy-six (42.7%) of the subjects were males. A total of 120 (29.1%) of the subjects had depressive disorder, 100 (24.3%) had anxiety disorder, 196 (47.6%) somatoform disorder and 104 (25.2%) met the criteria for an alcohol related problem. The PHC physicians were only able to diagnose disorders relating to mental health in 52 (12.6%) of the subjects. Health and work situations accounted for more than three-quarters of the causes of stress experienced by the subjects. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of mental disorders among patients seen in primary care settings and that a significant proportion of them are not recognized by the primary care physicians. Stress relating to health, work and financial problems is common among primary health care attendees. Physicians in primary health care should be alert to the possibility and the impact of undetected psychiatric morbidity.

Attitude of antenatal attendees to people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, south-south Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on the global efforts to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Due to fear of stigmatization and discrimination, many people are reluctant to undergo voluntary counseling and testing, infected individuals are often unwilling to disclose their status and some of them still engage in high-risk behaviours leading to increased transmission of the virus. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A study of the attitudes to people living with HIV/AIDS was carried out among antenatal clinic attendees at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital with the aim of developing site-specific information and counseling interventions to reduce stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS. Information was elicited from 265 randomly selected women who booked for antenatal care between September and December 2005 with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 263 questionnaires were duly completed and analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 27 ± 5.1 years, majority of them (52.1%) were either unemployed or unskilled workers and 42.9% of them had tertiary education. Awareness and knowledge of HIV/ AIDS was high, (95.8%) and (86.7%) respectively. Majority of the respondents (55.6%) were also assessed as having a positive attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). There was a statistically significant association between good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.000) and a high educational status with a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: combating stigma and discrimination is an important process in controlling the epidemic. Specific information and counseling interventions aimed at dispelling misconceptions about HIV/AIDS should be reinforced.