Association between Pre-Operative Total Prostate-Specific Antigen and Survivorship of Prostate Cancer following Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to systematically quantify the association between pre-operative total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and survivorship of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Data sources for the review included MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, and relevant reference lists. Databases were searched from inception to June 2022. The study took place between May 2022 and March 2023. We included studies that applied a quantitative approach to examine the interaction between pre-operative PSA and survivorship of PCa. Pre-operative PSA constituted the independent variable, whereas survivorship of PCa as measured by biochemical recurrence and mortality constitute the outcome variable. A risk of bias assessment was conducted with the aid of a mixed-method appraisal tool. We employed meta-analysis to quantify the association of pre-operative PSA with biochemical recurrence and mortality and computed I2 to assess the degree of heterogeneity. RESULTS: We found a positive weak association between pre-operative PSA and biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.074; 95% CI = 1.042-1.106). With a median rise in PSA (≥2 ng/mL), the likelihood for biochemical recurrence increase by approximately 7.4%. There was statistically a significant association between PSA and mortality (HR = 1.222, CI = 0.917-1.630). CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical recurrence associates with pre-operative PSA in an inconsistent manner. The sole use of pre-operative PSA in estimating post-prostatectomy biochemical recurrence should be discouraged. There is need for a multifactorial model which employs a prudent combination of the most important and cost-effective biomarkers in predicting post-prostatectomy biochemical recurrence.

Serum antioxidant micronutrient levels in pre-eclamptic pregnant women in Enugu, south-East Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia is a common obstetric complication of pregnancy in Nigeria, and oxidative stress has been implicated in its aetiopathogenesis. Despite this fact, there is a paucity of information regarding the serum antioxidant micronutrient status of pre-eclamptic Nigerian women. The objective of the was to determine the mean serum levels of some antioxidant trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese) in pre-eclamptic pregnant women and compare with that of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, South-Eastern, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the sera of 81 pregnant pre-eclamptic and 81 matched healthy pregnant controls were analyzed for the antioxidant micronutrients. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and a P value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were found to be significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic pregnant group when compared to the healthy pregnant controls (p < 0.05). The mean serum levels of zinc and manganese did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). All the mean serum levels of micro-nutrients studied did not vary by category of pre-eclampsia (with or without severity findings) except manganese which was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women without severity findings when compared to those with severity findings (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were significantly lower among pre-eclamptics when compared to their normal healthy controls. Low levels of selenium, copper, and magnesium may have contributed to the incidence of pre-eclampsia in our environment.

Serum leptin levels and relationship with maternal weight gain at term among obese and non-obese pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the mean maternal serum leptin levels, the prevalence of high serum leptin levels and mean gestational weight gain at term among obese and non-obese pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study enrolled obese and non-obese pregnant women. The serum leptin levels of the women were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were obtained and compared. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was determined. RESULTS: A total of 170 pregnant women were included in the study. The mean ± SD serum leptin level (99.39 ± 50.2 ng/ml) and the prevalence of hyperleptinaemia (81 of 85 patients; 95.3%) among the obese pregnant women at term were significantly higher than those of the non-obese pregnant women (48.98 ± 30.35 ng/ml/65 of 85 patients; 76.5%). The mean percentage weight gain was significantly higher in the non-obese women compared with the obese women at term. The predictors of high maternal serum leptin level at term among the participants were the employment status and levels of education of the participants. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum leptin level, maternal weight gain and prevalence of hyperleptinaemia at term were significantly higher in the obese compared with the non-obese pregnant women.

Central laboratory and point-of-care cardiac marker testing capacity of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria - a multicenter study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are major contributors to morbidity and mortality. It is generally recognized that cardiac markers are of particular benefit in the evaluation of patients with suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Tertiary hospitals, mainly teaching hospitals, are expected to be optimally equipped to offer these services. The study therefore aimed at determining the central laboratory and point-of-care cardiac marker testing capacity of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in government-owned tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires, and analyzed using Stata version 13 (Stata Corp., USA). Results: A total of 34 hospitals participated in the study. The mean (SD) age of respondents was 43.68 (5.2) years. A total of 19 (55.88%) hospitals were found to have a functional cardiac marker testing facility, either in the form of point-of-care, central laboratory testing or both. Of those without a facility, lack of funds to procure equipment was the major reason given. In hospitals with a testing facility, most testing devices were located in the Central laboratory. Conclusion: Cardiac marker testing capacity of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria, both in the form of point-of-care and central laboratory testing, was found to be barely adequate. Improvement is needed in this area for better diagnosis and evaluation of patients who need the tests.

Assessment of brain natriuretic peptide and copeptin as correlates of blood pressure in chronic hypertensive pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy including preexisting (or chronic) hypertension are the most common complication encountered during pregnancy that contribute significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and copeptin have been investigated as biomarkers in various hypertensive disorders, but studies of their clinical value in chronic hypertensive pregnant women are sparce. This study aimed to assess the levels of BNP and copeptin in chronic hypertensive pregnant women and investigate their correlation with blood pressure (BP) in chronic hypertensive pregnant women in South Western Nigeria. METHODS: One hundred and sixty consenting pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy, grouped into those with chronic hypertension (n = 80) and normotensive (n = 80), were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Age and clinical characteristics were obtained, and blood was aseptically drawn for BNP and copeptin measurement using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS ver. 20.0. Data was analyzed using Student t-test, chi-square, and Pearson correlation test as appropriate. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly higher in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (158.30 ± 3.51 and 105.08 ± 2.47 mmHg, respectively) compared with normotensive pregnant women (100.72 ± 3.02 and 70.29 ± 1.96 mmHg, respectively). The mean levels of BNP and copeptin were higher in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (57.26 ± 3.65 pg/mL and 12.44 ± 1.02 pmol/L, respectively) compared with normotensive pregnant women (49.85 ± 2.44 pg/mL and 10.25 ± 1.50 pmol/L, respectively) though not statistically significant. Correlations observed between SBP and DBP with levels of BNP (r = 0.204, P = 0.200; r = 0.142, P = 0.478) and copeptin (r = - 0.058, P = 0.288; r = 0.045, P = 0.907) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between BP and the levels of BNP and copeptin in pregnant women with chronic hypertension who were already on antihypertensive treatment, with the implication that antihypertensive treatment may modulate BNP and copeptin release despite significantly elevated BP levels.

Assessment of thyroid function of newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: the outbreak and rapid spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has evolved into an unprecedented global pandemic. The infection impairs several human organs and systems, however, it is not clear how it affects thyroid function. The study therefore aimed at measuring plasma levels of thyroid hormones and Hs-CRP in COVID-19 patients and apparently healthy uninfected controls to assess the possible effect of SAR-CoV-2 infection on thyroid function. METHODS: in this cross-sectional study carried out between May-August 2020, 90 consenting participants comprising 45 COVID-19 patients and 45 apparently healthy uninfected controls were recruited. Plasma FT3, FT4, TSH and Hs-CRP were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: the mean plasma FT3 and TSH concentrations were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). Euthyroidism was observed in all uninfected controls, whereas 35 (77.8%) COVID-19 patients were euthyroid. Sick euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 7 (15.6%) and 3 (6.7%) COVID-19 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: though there was a preponderance of euthyroidism among COVID-19 patients, significantly higher mean plasma levels of TSH and FT3, sick euthyroid syndrome and subclinical hypothyroidism observed among some COVID-19 patients may be indicative of disease-related thyroid function changes. Hence, there is need to pay attention to thyroid function during and after treatment of COVID-19.

Perspectives of buruli ulcer patients toward informed consent - An insight from Nigeria.

Introduction: Informed consent is a basic ethical requirement in situations involving sharing of patients' data. It supports and upholds the ethical principle of respect for persons and individual autonomy. For Buruli ulcer (BU) patients, associated stigma renders them vulnerable, hence the need for emphasis on additional protection by ensuring obtaining informed consent before third party use of their data. The authors therefore sought to determine willingness of these patients to give informed consent to the third party use of their data before and after treatment. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out between February and August, 2019. The study involved BU patients from three endemic states in Nigeria. Data were collected using pretested, researcher-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 92 respondents participated in the study. The median age was 23.5 years (range 4-74 years) with the age group <15 years being the modal age group 36 (39.13%). About a quarter of the respondents (23.91%) had suffered some form of discrimination in the course of their disease. Majority 86 (93.48%) were favorably disposed to allowing the use of their data for donor drive, policy development, and teaching/training purposes. A significant greater proportion of respondents 90 (97.83%) were willing to give consent for the use of their oral interview as against pictures and videos both in the pre- and post-treatment periods. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that majority of the respondents were positively inclined to give consent to use of their data by a third party. However, intrusion into privacy and anonymity were major concerns for the respondents.

RésuméIntroduction: Le consentement éclairé est une exigence éthique de base dans les situations impliquant le partage des données des patients. Il soutient et défend le principe éthique du respect des personnes et de l'autonomie individuelle. Pour les patients atteints d'ulcère de Buruli, la stigmatisation associée les rend vulnérables, d'où la nécessité de mettre l'accent sur une protection supplémentaire en garantissant l'obtention d'un consentement éclairé avant l'utilisation par des tiers de leurs données. Les auteurs ont donc cherché à déterminer la volonté de ces patients de consentir en connaissance de cause à l'utilisation de leurs données par des tiers avant et après le traitement. Les méthodes: Cette étude transversale a été réalisée entre février et août 2019. L'étude a porté sur des patients atteints d'ulcère de Buruli provenant de trois États endémiques du Nigéria. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide de questionnaires semi-structurés prétestés et administrés par des chercheurs. Résultats: Au total, 92 répondants ont participé à l'étude. L'âge médian était de 23,5 ans (de 4 à 74 ans), le groupe d'âge <15 ans étant le groupe d'âge modal 36 (39,13%). Environ un quart des répondants (23,91%) ont subi une forme de discrimination au cours de leur maladie. La majorité 86 (93,48%) étaient favorables à autoriser l'utilisation de leurs données à des fins de mobilisation des donateurs, d'élaboration de politiques et d'enseignement / formation. Une proportion significativement plus élevée de répondants 90 (97,83%) étaient disposés à donner leur consentement pour l'utilisation de leur entretien oral par rapport aux photos et vidéos à la fois avant et après le traitement. Conclusion: La présente étude prouve que la majorité des répondants étaient positivement enclins à consentir à l'utilisation de leurs données par un tiers. Cependant, l'intrusion dans la vie privée et l'anonymat étaient des préoccupations majeures pour les répondants.

Perception of problem based learning versus conventional teaching methods by clinical medical students in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Problem-based learning (PBL) method which was introduced about 50 years ago in Canada is beginning to gain acceptance over conventional teaching method (CTM) worldwide in medical education but still remains unpopular in Nigeria. This study aims to determine the perception of clinical medical students to the use of both learning methods in pathology courses. METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted in four Nigerian universities drawn from four regions of the country. Data were collected using pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: The study included 310 respondents, 182(58.7%) males and 128(41.3%) females. Of all the participants, 257(82.9%) had heard of PBL prior to the study and 260(83.9%) thought it suitable for teaching and learning Pathology. Majority of participants, 221(71.3%) preferred a combination of both PBL and CTM while 238(76.8%) thought PBL suitable for all medical students. Some identified factors capable of enhancing adaptation of PBL into medical curriculum include conducive quiet spaces for learning and availability of computers with internet facilities for students' use. CONCLUSION: Participants demonstrated high level of awareness of PBL and thought it suitable for all medical students. Availability of computers and up-to-date libraries with internet and audio-visual facilities could enhance adaptation of PBL into medical curriculum in Nigeria.

Composition of uroliths in a tertiary hospital in South East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis affects primarily the urinary tract and complications as debilitating as renal failure may develop. Determining the chemical composition of uroliths can aid management and prevention of recurrence in patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the chemical composition and anatomical distribution of uroliths in Nigeria. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2014 and February 2016, in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. We reviewed the outcomes of uroliths of adult patients sent to our laboratory for chemical analyses. Samples were analyzed using simple qualitative tests. RESULTS: 52 adult patients were included with a mean age (SD) of 46.6 (12.6) years. Males (76.9%) were more affected than females (23.1%). For both sexes, highest occurrence of stones was in bladder (85.7%). Calcium-containing stones had the highest occurrence (85.2%) and predominated in the renal, ureter and urethra, followed by struvite stones (59.5%). In the bladder, struvite stones were predominant (85.8%), with calcium-containing stones accounting for 71.4%. CONCLUSION: This study showed that struvite and calcium phosphate-containing stones constitute majority of uroliths in our setting with low occurrence of calcium oxalate stones. This indicates that urinary tract infection most likely plays a substantial role in the formation of uroliths in Nigerians. Modern methods of stone analysis is advocated to further define management options.

Association of MiRNA122 & ADAM17 with Lipids among Hypertensives in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia and hypertension are established major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The suggested roles of miRNA-122 and ADAM17 in lipid metabolism can therefore be applied in the management of metabolic disorders. The authors' aim was to determine the association between miRNA-122 and ADAM17, as well as the association between miRNA-122 and lipid fractions, in the study participants. METHOD: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 hypertensive patients and 100 non-hypertensive adult controls between May, 2015, and June, 2016, in Nigeria. Lipids were analysed with spectrophotometric methods whereas ADAM17 and miRNA-122 were analysed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) ages of 200 hypertensives and 100 controls were 56.3 (6.9) and 54.9 (8.3) years, respectively. miRNA-112 and ADAM17 had significantly higher values among dyslipidaemic individuvals compared with non-dyslipidaemic participants. The correlation between miRNA-122 and ADAM17 levels was strongly positive, r=0.82, p<0.05. LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol also showed statistically significant positive correlation with miRNA-122, r=0.53, r=0.51, (p< 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, miRNA-122 showed a strong correlation with ADAM17 and a positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol. These findings support the stimulant roles of miRNA-122 and ADAM17 in lipid metabolism and thus could be used in the management of dyslipidaemia.

Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviour among Jamaican Adolescents

Alcohol consumption has significant health, social and economic implications. Alcohol is the most prevalent psychoactive substance used by Jamaican adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine whether alcohol is associated with sexual risk behaviour among Jamaican adolescents. Methods: The data from National Secondary School Survey (NSS) conducted in 2013 was analysed. Descriptive statistics consisting of frequencies, percentages and Pearson's Chi square was done. Multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression. Result: The mean age of alcohol initiation among the participants was 12.3years [SD: 2.74]. There were significant associations between gender (X2= 14.56; p= 0.000), relationship with father/guardian (X2: 10.71; P= 0.03), relationship with mother (X2= 15.16; P= 0.004) and conversation with parents/ guardians about dangers of drug abuse (X2= 8.16; P=0.004). Adolescents who were males (AOR= 0.62, 95% CI= 0.43 - 0.88), in the 8th grade (AOR= 0.51, 95% CI= 0.26 - 0.98) or in the 10th grade (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32 - 0.85) were less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviour. Lifetime alcohol consumption, past year alcohol consumption and past month alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with sexual risk behaviour (AOR= 0.35, 95% CI= 0.04 - 3.46; AOR= 1.75, 95% CI= 0.59 - 5.09, AOR= 0.78 95% CI= 0.56 - 1.11 respectively). Conclusion: Lifetime, past one year and past one month alcohol consumption among the students were not risk factors for sexual risk behavior (non-condom use) among Jamaican adolescents.

A School-Based Study of the Influence of Students' Relationship with Teachers on Their Cigarette Smoking Behaviour in Jamaican

Background: Cigarette is one of the most widely used addictive substances and a leading cause of death. Prevalence of cigarette smoking has been reported to be high in the Caribbean, including Jamaica. The aim of this study was to determine whether students' relationship with teachers influences their cigarette smoking behaviour in Jamaica. Methods: This was a statistical analysis of data based on a nationally representative sample of 3,365 secondary school students drawn from 8th to 12th grade across 38 secondary schools in Jamaica in 2013. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS. Results: There were significant differences in the past year and past month cigarette smoking respectively among students who had very good, good, average, bad and very bad relationship with their teachers (X2 = 11.67, p = 0.02; X2 = 9.61, p = 0.04) respectively. Students with very good relationship with teachers, were significantly less likely to report smoking cigarette in the past month (AOR= 0.09, 95% CI= 0.01- 0.88). Students who were 2 - 10 years, had very good relationship with teacher and father, and whose parents knew friends very well, were 0.96, 0.69, 0.70 and 0.94 times as likely to report smoking cigarette in the past year. However, these associations were not significant after controlling for other factors. Conclusion: Students' relationship with their teachers has a strong influence on cigarette smoking. Students with very good relationship with teachers were significantly less likely to report smoking cigarette in the past month.

Does Risk Perception Affect Alcohol Consumption among Secondary School Students in Jamaica?

Background: Alcohol consumption among young people is a major public health problem world-wide and in Jamaica. A number of factors have been reported to affect alcohol use among high school students. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perception of the harmfulness of alcohol on alcohol use among secondary school students in Jamaica. Methods: Data collected from a nationally representative sample of 3,365 students were analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS. Results: Students' perception of risk of drinking alcohol frequently and getting drunk respectively had positive and significant associations with past month alcohol use (AOR= 1.44, 95% CI= 1.09- 1.88 and AOR= 1.38, 95% CI= 1.02- 1.86, respectively) compared to students who felt that drinking alcohol frequently and getting drunk were very harmful. Males, 12 years or younger were significantly less likely to use alcohol in the past month (AOR= 0.77, 95% CI=0.60- 0.97; AOR= 0.68, 95% CI= 0.53-0.97 respectively). Students with good relationship with their mothers were less likely to use alcohol in the past year and past month (AOR= 0.55, 95% CI= 0.35-0.87; AOR= 0.50, 95% CI= 0.32- 0.78). Conclusion: Risk perception of the harmfulness of alcohol significantly affects alcohol use among secondary school students in Jamaica. Males, 12 years or younger, who had good relationship with mothers, were significantly less likely to use alcohol in past month

Are Adolescents likely to Start Smoking Early if Their Parents are Smokers? A Study of Jamaican High School Students

Background: The prevalence of cigarette smoking is high among adolescents in the Caribbean, including Jamaica. Age of initiation of cigarette smoking varies among adolescents. A number of factors has been reported to influence early age of initiation of cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine if parental smoking status was associated with early age of onset of cigarette smoking among Jamaican adolescents. Methods: Data from the Jamaican National School Survey (NSS) conducted in 2013 were analysed. The nationally representative sample comprised of 3,365 students enrolled in 8th grade to 12th grade in 38 public and private secondary schools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using SPSS. Results: The mean age of initiation of cigarette smoking among the subjects was 12.4years [SD: 2.69]. There was no significant association between parental cigarette smoking status and the age of initiation of cigarette smoking among the adolescents (female X2 = 0.753, P = 0.861; male X2 = 6.953, P = 0.073). Logistic regression analysis showed that parental smoking status was not a predictor of early age of initiation of cigarette smoking among the adolescents (father/ guardian AOR= 0.81, 95% CI= 0.56- 1.11; mother/guardian AOR= 0.96, 95% CI= 0.44 ­ 2.10; both parent AOR= 0.49, 95%CI= 0.22- 1.07). However, having a parent with secondary education was a risk factor for early initiation of smoking (AOR= 1.71, 95%CI= 1.13-2.57), while being in 8th grade was a protective factor against early age of initiation of cigarette smoking (AOR= 0.43, 95% CI= 0.23 - 0.80). Conclusion: Parental smoking cigarette smoking status was not a predictor of early age of cigarette smoking initiation among Jamaican adolescents.

Parental Alcohol Drinking Habit as a Predictor of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students in Barbados

Background: In Barbados and the wider Caribbean region, alcohol is widely consumed by adolescents and young people, including those in secondary schools. The high prevalence of alcohol use, and its potential adverse effects are a source of concern to policy makers and the general population, which calls for better understanding of the drivers of this problem. This study thus aimed at investigating whether parental alcohol drinking habit is a predictor of alcohol use among secondary school students in the country. Methods: The predictor variables and response variables in the study were categorical, and so descriptive, univariate analysis consisted of computation of frequencies and percentages. Bivariate analysis using Pearson's Chi Square was done to test for significant differences in the response variables among groups. Logistic regression modeling was used in multivariate analysis to determine the predictor variables that were significantly associated with the response variables. Results: Significant associations were seen between students' age, (P= 0.00), grade (P=0.00), fathers' drinking habit (P=0.00), mothers' drinking habit (P=0.00), and both past year and past month alcohol use, in bivariate analysis. Logit model shows that students whose fathers drink only on weekends, sometimes during the week, or every day, respectively, had significantly increased risk of alcohol use in the past month (AOR= 2.62, 95%CI= 1.81- 3.77; AOR= 1.85, 95%CI= 1.19- 2.85; AOR= 2.18, 95%CI= 1.49- 3.18). Students whose mothers drink only on special occasion had significantly higher risk of alcohol use in the past year and past month (AOR= 1.99, 95%CI= 1.06- 3.74; AOR= 2.30, 95%CI= 1.36- 3.89 respectively). Conclusion: Having fathers who drink only on weekend, sometimes during the week and every day were significantly positively associated with alcohol use in the past month. Having mothers who drink only on special occasion was a risk factor for past year and past month alcohol use. However, having mothers who drin

Single Parent Family Structure as a Predictor of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students: Evidence from Jamaica

The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between Jamaican secondary students' alcohol drinking habits and their family structure. Methods: Data collected from a nationally representative survey of 3,365 students were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: Out of the 3,365 students, 1,044 (31.0%) were from single-parent families. Single-parent families, married-parent families and common law-parent families were significantly associated with lifetime use of alcohol (AOR= 1.72, 95% CI= 1.06 - 2.79; AOR= 1.73, 95% CI= 1.07- 2.81, AOR= 1.94, 95%CI= 1.17- 3.21 respectively). However, family structure was not significantly associated with past year and past month alcohol use. Students whose parents "sometimes" knew their whereabouts were significantly less likely to use alcohol in their lifetime compared to students whose parents "Always" knew where the students were. Conclusion: Family structure is an independent predictor of alcohol use among high school students in Jamaica. Being from single-parent families, married-parent and common- law parent families were significantly associated with increased likelihood for lifetime alcohol use.

Comparison of calculated versus directly-measured low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol: An evaluation of ten formulas for an HIV-positive population in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) is a modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, therefore needs to be assessed and monitored. Direct homogeneous assays and various formulas exist to determine LDLC. We aimed to compare the directly measured LDL (dLDLC) with ten formulas for estimating LDLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 2-year retrospective study of fasting lipid profile results obtained from HIV-positive patients attending an outpatient clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, using homogeneous direct assays. Estimated LDLC was determined using ten formulas. Pearson's correlation, Bland-Altman plots, and linear regression were performed. Statistical significance was P < 0.05. RESULTS: Three thousand four hundred and eighty-two lipid results with mean ± standard deviation (SD) dLDLC of 2.1 ± 1.1 mmol/L were included in this study. There was a strong, positive correlation between Friedewald's LDLC and dLDLC n = 3412, r = 0.84, P < 0.001, but linear regression demonstrated a proportional bias P = 0.005. Ahmadi's equation showed the worst correlation n = 3482, r = 0.35, P < 0.001, but when applied to samples with triglyceride (TG) <1.13 mmol/L (100 mg/dl), the correlation showed a strong, positive relationship n = 1395, r = 0.80, P < 0.001, and no proportional bias P = 0.86. Teerankanchana's equation was the only formula that showed no difference between its LDLC and dLDLC (n = 3482, P = 0.056). It also demonstrated strong, positive correlation (n = 3482, r = 0.84, P < 0.001) and had a mean difference ± SD of -0.68 ± 0.63. CONCLUSION: Teerankanchana's formula showed good correlation and minimal bias with dLDLC at all TG levels. Moreover, linear regression showed no difference in the two. It seems to be the most suitable formula for estimating LDLC in our HIV-positive population.

Contraception among bankers in an urban community in Lagos State, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Contraception means procedures employed to interfere at one stage or the other with the normal sequence of events in the process of reproduction leading to a failure in conception. It means voluntary techniques adopted to achieve birth control. Its use remains sensitive worldwide. Within the same society, contraception varies amongst people of different socio-cultural, educational, religious, or occupational affiliations. It also varies between urban and rural settlements. Some contraceptive techniques also prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The prevalence of STIs also varies with these same factors. There is very limited literature on contraception exclusively amongst bankers. We sought to investigate the level of awareness and practice of contraception amongst bankers in an urban society in Lagos State, Nigeria. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 200 self-administered structured questionnaires were retrieved from bankers from 5 banks selected by simple random sampling in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Data was subsequently statistically analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The age range was 21-45 years, mean 28.8±1.4 years, 51.7% were males (72% single, 27% married, 1% separated) and 48.3% were females (52.4% single, 47.6% married). All (100%) respondents were aware of contraception, 93.3% males and 91.7% females were sexually active, 88.9% males and 84.5% females believe contraception is useful. Most (71.4%) respondents practice contraception, males (81%) being more than females (61.1%), p < 0.05. More (71.4%) females and fewer (37.8%) males believe that contraception prevents pregnancy but not STIs, 28.6% of females and 46.6% of males believe it prevents both pregnancy and STIs, whereas 14% of males and no female believe contraception prevents STIs but not pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The awareness of and practice of contraception was very high among the bankers but more male bankers practice contraception whereas more female bankers perceive contraceptives to be for the married only.