Comparative analysis of ageing in Nigeria and United Kingdom using life course approach: the implication for the Nursing profession in Nigeria.

The population of Nigerian older persons is expected to reach 26 million by 2050 from 9 million reported in 2016. This population change has several implications, thus the need to pay attention to healthy ageing. Hence, this report aims to compare ageing and its facilitators in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK). The life course theory was used to explore the influence of early life factors and experiences on ageing. Unlike the UK, little attention is given to the care of Nigerian older persons. Therefore, Nigerian stakeholders must design and implement a comprehensive policy on healthy ageing. Also, there is an urgent need for training nurses to meet this demand as it arises.

Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile in Automechanics in Relation to Lead Exposure.

CONTEXT: Elevated blood pressure and alterations in lipid and lipoproteins play a major role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. AIM: This study is aimed at determining the blood pressure and lipid profile in automechanics. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 120 male subjects between 18 and 55 years of age comprised 60 automechanics and 60 age-matched occupationally unexposed control subjects in Emene, Enugu State, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four milliliters of fasting blood samples was collected from all subjects, 2 mL of blood was dispensed into K2-EDTA vacutainer tube for blood lead analysis, while the other 2 mL was dispensed into plain vacutainer tube, allowed to retract, centrifuged, and the serum used for serum lipid profile analysis. Blood pressure was measured using aneroid sphygmomanometer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Automechanics had significantly higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared with the controls. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were also significantly higher in the automechanics compared with the controls (P < 0.05); serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, however, did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). Blood lead level showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TG, with no significant correlation with serum HDL-C (P > 0.05) in the automechanics and no correlation in the controls. CONCLUSION: The result of this study indicates that blood pressure is elevated and lipid profile altered in automechanics which suggests that these groups of workers are prone to increased risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disorders due to occupational exposure to lead.