Open Access

Background: Foodstuff traders operating from warehouses (FTFW) are potentially exposed to dangerous rodenticides/pesticides that may have adverse effects on cardiopulmonary function. Methods: 50 consenting male foodstuff traders, comprising 15 traders (21–63 years) operating outside warehouses and 35 FTFW (20–64 years), were randomly recruited at Ogbete Market, Enugu, in a cross-sectional observational study of spirometric and electrocardiographic parameters. 17 FTFW (21–57 years) participated in focus group discussions. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed thematically and with independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient at p < 0.05, respectively. Results: Most FTFW experienced respiratory symptoms, especially dry cough (97,1%) and wheezing (31.4%) with significant reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) (t = -2.654; p = 0.011), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (t = -2.240; p = 0.030), maximum expiratory flow rate (FEF200-1200) (t = -1.148; p = -0.047), and forced end-expiratory flow (FEF25-75) (t = -1.11; p = 0.007). The maximum mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75) was marginally decreased (p > 0.05) with a significantly prolonged (p < 0.05) QTc interval. Conclusion: Allergic response was evident in the FTFW. Significant decrease in FVC may negatively impact lung flow rates and explains the marginal decrease in FEF25-75, which implies a relative limitation in airflow of peripheral/distal airways and elastic recoil of the lungs. This is consistent with obstructive pulmonary disease; a significant decrease in FEF75-85/FEV1 supports this conclusion. Significant decrease in FEF200-1200 indicates abnormalities in the large airways/larynx just as significantly prolonged ventricular repolarization suggests cardiac arrhythmias.

Background Infant mortality in rural areas of Nigeria can be minimized if childhood febrile conditions are treated by trained health personnel, deployed to primary healthcare centres (PHCs) rather than the observed preference of mothers for patent medicine dealers (PMDs). However, health service utilization/patronage is driven by consumer satisfaction and perception of services/product value. The objective of this study was to determine ‘mothers’ perception of recovery’ and ‘mothers’ satisfaction’ after PMD treatment of childhood febrile conditions, as likely drivers of mothers’ health-seeking behaviour, which must be targeted to reverse the trend. Methods Ugwuogo-Nike, in Enugu, Nigeria, has many PMDs/PHCs, and was selected based on high prevalence of childhood febrile conditions. In total, 385 consenting mothers (aged 15–45 years) were consecutively recruited at PMD shops, after purchasing drugs for childhood febrile conditions, in a cross-sectional observational study using a pre-tested instrument; 33 of them (aged 21–47 years) participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). Qualitative data were thematically analysed while a quantitative study was analysed with Z score and Chi square statistics, at p < 0.05. Results Most participants in FGDs perceived that their child had delayed recovery, but were satisfied with PMDs’ treatment of childhood febrile conditions, for reasons that included politeness, caring attitude, drug availability, easy accessibility, flexibility in pricing, shorter waiting time, their God-fearing nature, and disposition as good listeners. Mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment is significantly (p < 0.05) associated with mothers’ perception of recovery of their child (χ2 = 192.94, df = 4; p < 0.0001; Cramer’s V = 0.7079). However, predicting mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment from a knowledge of mothers’ perception of recovery shows a high accord (lambda[A from B] = 0.8727), unlike when predicting mothers’ perception of recovery based on knowledge of mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment (lambda[A from B] = 0.4727). Conclusions Mothers’ satisfaction could be the key ‘driver’ of mothers’ health-seeking behaviour and is less likely to be influenced by mothers’ perception of recovery of their child. Therefore, mothers’ negative perception of their child’s recovery may not induce proportionate decline in mothers’ health-seeking behaviour (patronage of PMDs), which might be influenced mainly by mothers’ satisfaction with the positive attributes of PMDs’ personality/practice and sets an important agenda for PHC reforms.

Objective: To determine the distribution of symptoms of post-stroke depression (PSD) in relation to some predisposing factors in an African population. Relevance: Environment is a key determinant of behavior, and varied socio-cultural contexts must have implications for modifiable characteristics (age, duration of the stroke, marital status, type of employment, gender, the location of cerebral lesion and complications) of individuals vulnerable to PSD, which may be targeted to enhance recovery. Method: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 50 (22 females and 28 males) stroke survivors (mean age=54.76±8.79 years), at the physiotherapy department, the University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Enugu, selected using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using Becks Depression Inventory and analyzed using Z-score, Chi-square test and univariate logistic regression, at p<0.05. Results: PSD was more prevalent in females (45.45%); young(100%); middle-age(60%) adults(27-36/47-56 years respectively); living with spouse (45%); left cerebral lesions (40.74%); complications(45%); cold case >3 years(47.05%); self-employed and unemployed (66.67%), respectively. Age was significantly associated with depression (χ2 =4.92,df=1,p=0.03), and was related to the risk of PSD (3.7[1.1-12.0], p=0.03, φ = +0.31, φ2=0.1). Conclusion: Age could be a risk factor for PSD, which was more prevalent in the elderly than young/middle-age adults, female gender, left cerebral lesion, complications, cold case; those living with a spouse, self-employed and unemployed.

Background: Available preliminary data on menopause does not relate changes in body fat mass (BFM) and handgrip strength (HGS) (an indicator of body/muscle strength) to gait parameters. Objective: To determine the relationship between BFM, HGS and gait parameters, namely, stride length (SL) (an indicator of walking balance/postural stability), stride frequency (SF), and velocity (V) (gait out- put), to guide gait training. Methods: Ninety consenting (45 postmenopausal and 45 premenopausal) female staffof the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were randomly selected and assessed for BFM and HGS with a hydration monitor and dynamometer, respectively, in an observational study. The mean of 2 trials of the number of steps and time taken to cover a 10-m distance at normal speed was used to calculate SF, SL, and V. Data were analyzed using an independent t test and a Pearson correlation coefficient at P < 0.05. Results: Premenopausal (BFM = 42.93% [12.61%], HGS = 27.89 [7.52] kg, stride ratio = 1.43, and velocity = 1.04 [0.01] m/sec) and postmenopausal (BFM = 41.55% [12.71%], HGS = 30.91 [7.07] kg, stride ratio = 1.44, and velocity = 1.06 [0.01] m/sec) women showed no significant differences in gait output/velocity ( t = 0.138; P = 0.89; d = 0.029). At postmenopause, BFM was significantly and negatively ( r = –0.369; r 2 = 0.1362; P = 0.013) correlated with SL, whereas HGS was positively and significantly ( r = 0.323; r 2 = 0.104; P = 0.030) correlated with gait output at premenopause. Conclusions: BFM may adversely influence walking balance at postmenopause, whereas HGS may enhance gait output at premenopause but not postmenopause. Therefore, muscle strengthening alone may not enhance gait output in postmenopausal women without balance training.