Climate variation generally occurs at local scale, regional scale, national scale and global scale. Having established that the global climate has varied slowly over the past millennia, centuries, and decades and it i...Climate variation generally occurs at local scale, regional scale, national scale and global scale. Having established that the global climate has varied slowly over the past millennia, centuries, and decades and it is expected to continue to vary in future. Like the climate change, variability may be due to, national internal processes within the climate （internal variability）, or variations in natural or anthropogenic external forces （external variability）. Evidence of climate variations is now well documented, and the implications are becoming increasingly clear as data accumulates and data and climate models become increasingly sophisticated. The fluctuations in rainfall and temperature regimes are the atmospheric driving forces that are responsible for the climate variations over the southeastern Nigeria including Imo State as the case in other parts of the world. It is on this premise that this study examined the evidence of climate variability in Imo State of the southeastern Nigeria. The study employed the holistic use of real meteorological data from Nigerian Meteorological Department on two weather parameters （temperature and rainfall）, for 30 years （1980-2009）. Results indicated fluctuations in temperature and rainfall regimes within the period under study, which were the reasons for the variations in climate of the region. Apparently, evidence of climate variability are indicated by increasing surface air temperature, increasing heat waves which enhances disease vectors, communicable diseases and epidemics, sea level rise and associated coastal erosion, flooding, increased evaporation that dry up streams and rivers etc..展开更多
Background: Environmental sanitation is a fundamental process that is a key public health intervention which is essential for social, economic and overall health development of communities. Objective: To determine Kno...Background: Environmental sanitation is a fundamental process that is a key public health intervention which is essential for social, economic and overall health development of communities. Objective: To determine Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Environmental Sanitation in Semi-Urban Communities in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design using a multistage random sampling technique to select 426 participants from households and business premises in semi-urban communities in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested, semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics to assess the respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices of environmental sanitation. Results: The results revealed that the mean age of the respondents’ was 37.0 ± 2.2 with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Despite high awareness about environmental sanitation (95.0%) reported among the respondents, proportion of them with good knowledge about environmental sanitation (22.9%), attitude (38.6%) and practice (20.8%) towards environmental sanitation was low. The mean quantity of waste generated per week per household or business premise was 14.1 ± 0.94 kg with a majority of the respondents (80.0%), not separating their waste before disposal. The commonest solid waste component generated was organic/perishable materials (74.8%) and the commonest disposal practice reported was open dumping (49.8%). Conclusion: A lot of attention is still required in the development of basic sanitation infrastructure and also, in the promotion of strategies or interventions that influence behavioural change towards environmental sanitation especially in developing countries like Nigeria.展开更多
This study was designed to determine effects of peer-health-education on sexual health knowledge and attitudes of tertiary institution students in Imo State Nigeria by determining the mean gain scores of sexual health...This study was designed to determine effects of peer-health-education on sexual health knowledge and attitudes of tertiary institution students in Imo State Nigeria by determining the mean gain scores of sexual health knowledge and attitudes after peer health education. Quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test) research design was employed. Two hundred students drawn from the University, Polytechnic and College of Education, using a multi-stage sampling technique participated in the peer sessions which were facilitated by trained peer educators. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and Z-test. Findings revealed improved knowledge and attitudes on sexual health, as depicted by positive mean gain scores. Age group 16 - 20 years had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_8e8f0539-e2c6-47bc-80f1-ccaee4c06df5.png" alt="" /> = 22.31) of sexual health knowledge than the rest, while age group 26 - 30 years had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_dec53aa0-f549-425f-baf4-08f39aaf05fd.png" alt="" /> = 10.59) of sexual health attitudes. Males had higher mean gain score (<img src="Edit_e767bc6a-c1f3-4f0a-8b31-814581d9dd64.png" alt="" /> = 26.05) of sexual health knowledge, while females had higher mean gain score (<img src="Edit_79f87968-38f8-4873-8516-f5370ba691df.png" alt="" /> = 9.77) of sexual health attitudes. The first years (100 level students) had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_3f417e44-7627-4d69-860e-94c94ae7db0e.png" alt="" /> = 25.71) of sexual health knowledge and also had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_2a60fbc7-0a2c-49fe-b9a2-1cea354966a3.png" alt="" /> = 14.12) of sexual health attitudes. Level of study was significant both for knowledge and attitudes (P < 0.01). It is recommended that peer-health-education be explored further as a method of communicating sexual health issues to tertiary institution students and youths generally.展开更多
Background: Food vendors play a critical food safety role in the “farm to plate” continuum that is necessary for the prevention and control of food borne diseases and therefore, any lack of its understanding by the ...Background: Food vendors play a critical food safety role in the “farm to plate” continuum that is necessary for the prevention and control of food borne diseases and therefore, any lack of its understanding by the food vendors poses a serious challenge to food safety. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices of food vendors in Owerri town of Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a Cross-Sectional descriptive design that used a proportionate convenience sampling technique to select 200 food vendors from the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Owerri town. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistics were computed to determine significant relationships and p value was set at 0.05 significant level. Results: While a majority of the respondents had a good level of knowledge (81%) and positive attitude (71%) about food hygiene, only 37% of the respondents had a good level of hygienic practice. It was revealed that 32% and 46% of the respondents received training on food hygiene and environmental health worker inspection respectively. It was also revealed that, there were statistically significant relationships between knowledge (p = 0.001), attitude (p = 0.000), formal training on food hygiene (p = 0.000) and the level of food hygienic practices. Conclusion: The public health management of food vending services should involve the development of strategies that will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide vending services in a hygienic and safe manner.展开更多
Background: Adolescence is a period of vulnerability with the onset of multiple risky behaviour which exposes them to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and as such, the timely introduction and uptake of stra...Background: Adolescence is a period of vulnerability with the onset of multiple risky behaviour which exposes them to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and as such, the timely introduction and uptake of strategies like HIV Counselling and Testing will reduce transmission and provide access to preventive services. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and prevalence of HIV Counselling and Testing among secondary in-school adolescents in Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional analytical study design was used that selected students aged 13 - 19 years in senior classes SS1 to SS3 attending secondary schools. Data was collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistic was computed and p value was set at 0.05 significant level. Results: Though most of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS (99%) and HIV Counselling and Testing (92%), the majority of the respondents had a poor level of overall knowledge (61%) and attitude (70%) towards HIV Counselling and Testing. The prevalence of HIV Counselling and Testing amongst the respondents was very low (7%). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship between the level of overall knowledge and level of overall attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing (p Conclusion: Identifying and closing the gaps in their knowledge and attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing, will form the basis for the introduction of adolescent-tailored strategies that will further encourage and improve voluntary and confidential uptake of HIV Counselling and Testing among the adolescents.展开更多
Background: Health care seeking behaviour is a complex, dynamic and multidimensional process that involves a sequence of remedial actions that are influenced by the interaction between the individual, household and co...Background: Health care seeking behaviour is a complex, dynamic and multidimensional process that involves a sequence of remedial actions that are influenced by the interaction between the individual, household and community with the intention of addressing perceived ill health. Objective: To determine health care seeking attitude and behaviour and the predictors of combined orthodox and traditional health care use among households in communities in Owerri, Imo State. Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional design that used a multistage random sampling technique to select 500 participants from households in two communities in Owerri, Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested, semi structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistics were computed to determine significant relationships and binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors of combined use. P was set at 0.05 significance level. Results: The results revealed that, while just more than half of the respondents (56.4%) had a moderate to good level of overall knowledge of health care, almost all of the respondents (96.2%) also had a moderate to good level of overall positive attitude towards seeking health care;with less than one third (29.4%) using combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments. It further revealed that, respondents who were female, traders and from households of polygamous families were significantly more likely to use combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments (p < 0.05) while those with a tertiary level of education, from households with a professional as head, having private water closet toilets and earning a monthly income of more than 50,000 Naira ($140) were significantly less likely to use combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need to be more sensitive to the realities of the combined use of orthodox and traditional treatments, as its use will be difficult to prevent because this behaviour is rooted in the traditional and cultural belief system of our societies.展开更多
The study assessed the anthropometric indices and health status of adult women,aged 30-60 years in relation to their food consumption pattern.The blood sugar level,blood pressure and body mass index of the respondents...The study assessed the anthropometric indices and health status of adult women,aged 30-60 years in relation to their food consumption pattern.The blood sugar level,blood pressure and body mass index of the respondents were determined.A cross sectional survey was used for this study,a clustered and simple random sampling selection technique was used in selecting the samples.Anthropometric indices of weight and height were used to assess the body mass index(BMI),while waist hip ratio(WHR)was used to check for abdominal obesity.Women were considered overweight using world health organization standard(BMI at or above 25),or WHR above 0.85.Health status was assessed by checking blood pressure and blood sugar levels.Blood pressure was taken twice using Omron sphygmomanometer with appropriate cuff off size and women were classified hypertensive if having a mean blood pressure above 120/80 mmHg.Evolve glucometer was used to check for random blood sugar(RBS)levels,respondents were considered diabetics if they have a random sugar above 140 mg/dL.Food frequency table was used to assess food consumption pattern.Respondents were said to have low consumption if consumed the food 1-3 times per week or if rarely or never consumed.It is moderate if consumed 4-6 times per week and high,if consumed 7 times per week,or daily.Questionnaire covered relevant data such as personal data,demographic data.Result showed that the women mean standard deviations for body mass index(BMI),waist hip ratio(WHR),random blood sugar(RBS),systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)were 26.29±4.1,0.86±0.34,112.51±23.0,115.4±23.0 and 88.45±4.3 respectively.The mean value for BMI was on the overweight region.Bivariate correlation analysis showed that SBP,DBP,RBS and WHR had positive correlation with BMI with confidence level set at 0.05%(0.206,p=0.005;0.16,p=0.031;0.081,p=0.0021 and 0.148,p=0.000 respectively).WHR also had stronger correlation with RBS(0.90,p=0.278),systolic(0.272,p=0.002),diastolic(0.21,p=0.045).This confirms the assertion that WHR should be used as an indicator of cardiovascular disease not BMI.The survey also reveals that 3.6%were underweight.49.0%normal,29.9%overweight and 17.5%obese.Blood pressure levels were marginal as 30.04%,35.4%,34.3%are normal,pre hypertensive and hypertensive respectively.Most of the respondents had normal blood sugar as 91.2%were normal.Overweight,hypertension and diabetes were prevalent in rural communities as observed in this study.There is a need for routine check of WHR among women in clinical practice and epidemiological surveys,to reduce incidence of cardiovascular diseases.There is a need for promotion of a healthy life style,regular exercise and proper nutrition.展开更多
Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the waste man-agement practices among reside...Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the waste man-agement practices among residents of Owerri Municipal, Imo state, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 282 residents of Owerri Municipal were selected by multistage sampling technique and studied using self and interviewer administered questionnaires. The results showed that 90% of respondents were aware of waste management while 97.5% had posi-tive attitude towards it. The major types of waste generated from households were food residues (97.1%) and vegetable products (95.4%). Also poor waste management practices among residents include open dumping, practiced by 66.3% of the residents and burning as practiced by 62.4% of respondents. The commonest means of waste transport to final disposal site was by wheel barrow. Gender and educational status of respondents significantly influenced their knowledge, attitude and practice of waste management (p < 0.05). Good waste management is pivotal to sustainable healthy living conditions in any environment. The residents of Owerri need health education, reg-ular supply of refuse collection facilities and designated final dump sites. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.展开更多
Rainwater and groundwater quality in Izombe were assessed.Five water samples were collected from five(5)different locations,with at least one location from one of the four autonomous communities in Izombe,Oguta L.G.A ...Rainwater and groundwater quality in Izombe were assessed.Five water samples were collected from five(5)different locations,with at least one location from one of the four autonomous communities in Izombe,Oguta L.G.A of Imo State.The physicochemical and microbial parameters of rainwater and groundwater samples from Umuakpa,Ndeuloukwu,Ugbele,Ndioko,and Orsu were assessed using Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS).The study was aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbial qualities of groundwater and rainwater in Izombe and how these affect their health as individual members of the community,and their environment when compared to WHO standards.The water samples were collected from five different locations,with at least one location from each of the four autonomous communities,and were assessed.The result indicated that rainwater and groundwater pollutants in the community were turbidities,ammonia,copper and temperatures 7.59±0.02 ph,6.42±0.28 nitrate,59.56±0.50 ammonia,0.29±0.07 phosphate,0.88±0.03 iron,copper,lead,nickel,aluminum,mercury,manganese,cadmium,bacteria count,coliform count,and E-coli.Also,all the pollutant parameters were identified,only iron,copper,aluminum,and bacteria count were not identified as being associated with petroleum products and exploratory activities.This research has broadened the understanding of the suitability of Izombe water sources for both consumption and other purposes.The findings show that the rain and groundwater sources of the community are not fit for human consumption,due to the contaminants inherent in them,attributed majorly to the oil production activities in the area which corroborates other research studies.展开更多
文摘Climate variation generally occurs at local scale, regional scale, national scale and global scale. Having established that the global climate has varied slowly over the past millennia, centuries, and decades and it is expected to continue to vary in future. Like the climate change, variability may be due to, national internal processes within the climate （internal variability）, or variations in natural or anthropogenic external forces （external variability）. Evidence of climate variations is now well documented, and the implications are becoming increasingly clear as data accumulates and data and climate models become increasingly sophisticated. The fluctuations in rainfall and temperature regimes are the atmospheric driving forces that are responsible for the climate variations over the southeastern Nigeria including Imo State as the case in other parts of the world. It is on this premise that this study examined the evidence of climate variability in Imo State of the southeastern Nigeria. The study employed the holistic use of real meteorological data from Nigerian Meteorological Department on two weather parameters （temperature and rainfall）, for 30 years （1980-2009）. Results indicated fluctuations in temperature and rainfall regimes within the period under study, which were the reasons for the variations in climate of the region. Apparently, evidence of climate variability are indicated by increasing surface air temperature, increasing heat waves which enhances disease vectors, communicable diseases and epidemics, sea level rise and associated coastal erosion, flooding, increased evaporation that dry up streams and rivers etc..
文摘Background: Environmental sanitation is a fundamental process that is a key public health intervention which is essential for social, economic and overall health development of communities. Objective: To determine Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Environmental Sanitation in Semi-Urban Communities in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design using a multistage random sampling technique to select 426 participants from households and business premises in semi-urban communities in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested, semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics to assess the respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices of environmental sanitation. Results: The results revealed that the mean age of the respondents’ was 37.0 ± 2.2 with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Despite high awareness about environmental sanitation (95.0%) reported among the respondents, proportion of them with good knowledge about environmental sanitation (22.9%), attitude (38.6%) and practice (20.8%) towards environmental sanitation was low. The mean quantity of waste generated per week per household or business premise was 14.1 ± 0.94 kg with a majority of the respondents (80.0%), not separating their waste before disposal. The commonest solid waste component generated was organic/perishable materials (74.8%) and the commonest disposal practice reported was open dumping (49.8%). Conclusion: A lot of attention is still required in the development of basic sanitation infrastructure and also, in the promotion of strategies or interventions that influence behavioural change towards environmental sanitation especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
文摘This study was designed to determine effects of peer-health-education on sexual health knowledge and attitudes of tertiary institution students in Imo State Nigeria by determining the mean gain scores of sexual health knowledge and attitudes after peer health education. Quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test) research design was employed. Two hundred students drawn from the University, Polytechnic and College of Education, using a multi-stage sampling technique participated in the peer sessions which were facilitated by trained peer educators. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and Z-test. Findings revealed improved knowledge and attitudes on sexual health, as depicted by positive mean gain scores. Age group 16 - 20 years had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_8e8f0539-e2c6-47bc-80f1-ccaee4c06df5.png" alt="" /> = 22.31) of sexual health knowledge than the rest, while age group 26 - 30 years had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_dec53aa0-f549-425f-baf4-08f39aaf05fd.png" alt="" /> = 10.59) of sexual health attitudes. Males had higher mean gain score (<img src="Edit_e767bc6a-c1f3-4f0a-8b31-814581d9dd64.png" alt="" /> = 26.05) of sexual health knowledge, while females had higher mean gain score (<img src="Edit_79f87968-38f8-4873-8516-f5370ba691df.png" alt="" /> = 9.77) of sexual health attitudes. The first years (100 level students) had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_3f417e44-7627-4d69-860e-94c94ae7db0e.png" alt="" /> = 25.71) of sexual health knowledge and also had the highest mean gain score (<img src="Edit_2a60fbc7-0a2c-49fe-b9a2-1cea354966a3.png" alt="" /> = 14.12) of sexual health attitudes. Level of study was significant both for knowledge and attitudes (P < 0.01). It is recommended that peer-health-education be explored further as a method of communicating sexual health issues to tertiary institution students and youths generally.
文摘Background: Food vendors play a critical food safety role in the “farm to plate” continuum that is necessary for the prevention and control of food borne diseases and therefore, any lack of its understanding by the food vendors poses a serious challenge to food safety. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices of food vendors in Owerri town of Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a Cross-Sectional descriptive design that used a proportionate convenience sampling technique to select 200 food vendors from the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Owerri town. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistics were computed to determine significant relationships and p value was set at 0.05 significant level. Results: While a majority of the respondents had a good level of knowledge (81%) and positive attitude (71%) about food hygiene, only 37% of the respondents had a good level of hygienic practice. It was revealed that 32% and 46% of the respondents received training on food hygiene and environmental health worker inspection respectively. It was also revealed that, there were statistically significant relationships between knowledge (p = 0.001), attitude (p = 0.000), formal training on food hygiene (p = 0.000) and the level of food hygienic practices. Conclusion: The public health management of food vending services should involve the development of strategies that will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide vending services in a hygienic and safe manner.
文摘Background: Adolescence is a period of vulnerability with the onset of multiple risky behaviour which exposes them to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and as such, the timely introduction and uptake of strategies like HIV Counselling and Testing will reduce transmission and provide access to preventive services. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and prevalence of HIV Counselling and Testing among secondary in-school adolescents in Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional analytical study design was used that selected students aged 13 - 19 years in senior classes SS1 to SS3 attending secondary schools. Data was collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistic was computed and p value was set at 0.05 significant level. Results: Though most of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS (99%) and HIV Counselling and Testing (92%), the majority of the respondents had a poor level of overall knowledge (61%) and attitude (70%) towards HIV Counselling and Testing. The prevalence of HIV Counselling and Testing amongst the respondents was very low (7%). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship between the level of overall knowledge and level of overall attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing (p Conclusion: Identifying and closing the gaps in their knowledge and attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing, will form the basis for the introduction of adolescent-tailored strategies that will further encourage and improve voluntary and confidential uptake of HIV Counselling and Testing among the adolescents.
文摘Background: Health care seeking behaviour is a complex, dynamic and multidimensional process that involves a sequence of remedial actions that are influenced by the interaction between the individual, household and community with the intention of addressing perceived ill health. Objective: To determine health care seeking attitude and behaviour and the predictors of combined orthodox and traditional health care use among households in communities in Owerri, Imo State. Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional design that used a multistage random sampling technique to select 500 participants from households in two communities in Owerri, Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested, semi structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistics were computed to determine significant relationships and binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors of combined use. P was set at 0.05 significance level. Results: The results revealed that, while just more than half of the respondents (56.4%) had a moderate to good level of overall knowledge of health care, almost all of the respondents (96.2%) also had a moderate to good level of overall positive attitude towards seeking health care;with less than one third (29.4%) using combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments. It further revealed that, respondents who were female, traders and from households of polygamous families were significantly more likely to use combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments (p < 0.05) while those with a tertiary level of education, from households with a professional as head, having private water closet toilets and earning a monthly income of more than 50,000 Naira ($140) were significantly less likely to use combined orthodox and traditional health care treatments (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need to be more sensitive to the realities of the combined use of orthodox and traditional treatments, as its use will be difficult to prevent because this behaviour is rooted in the traditional and cultural belief system of our societies.
文摘The study assessed the anthropometric indices and health status of adult women,aged 30-60 years in relation to their food consumption pattern.The blood sugar level,blood pressure and body mass index of the respondents were determined.A cross sectional survey was used for this study,a clustered and simple random sampling selection technique was used in selecting the samples.Anthropometric indices of weight and height were used to assess the body mass index(BMI),while waist hip ratio(WHR)was used to check for abdominal obesity.Women were considered overweight using world health organization standard(BMI at or above 25),or WHR above 0.85.Health status was assessed by checking blood pressure and blood sugar levels.Blood pressure was taken twice using Omron sphygmomanometer with appropriate cuff off size and women were classified hypertensive if having a mean blood pressure above 120/80 mmHg.Evolve glucometer was used to check for random blood sugar(RBS)levels,respondents were considered diabetics if they have a random sugar above 140 mg/dL.Food frequency table was used to assess food consumption pattern.Respondents were said to have low consumption if consumed the food 1-3 times per week or if rarely or never consumed.It is moderate if consumed 4-6 times per week and high,if consumed 7 times per week,or daily.Questionnaire covered relevant data such as personal data,demographic data.Result showed that the women mean standard deviations for body mass index(BMI),waist hip ratio(WHR),random blood sugar(RBS),systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)were 26.29±4.1,0.86±0.34,112.51±23.0,115.4±23.0 and 88.45±4.3 respectively.The mean value for BMI was on the overweight region.Bivariate correlation analysis showed that SBP,DBP,RBS and WHR had positive correlation with BMI with confidence level set at 0.05%(0.206,p=0.005;0.16,p=0.031;0.081,p=0.0021 and 0.148,p=0.000 respectively).WHR also had stronger correlation with RBS(0.90,p=0.278),systolic(0.272,p=0.002),diastolic(0.21,p=0.045).This confirms the assertion that WHR should be used as an indicator of cardiovascular disease not BMI.The survey also reveals that 3.6%were underweight.49.0%normal,29.9%overweight and 17.5%obese.Blood pressure levels were marginal as 30.04%,35.4%,34.3%are normal,pre hypertensive and hypertensive respectively.Most of the respondents had normal blood sugar as 91.2%were normal.Overweight,hypertension and diabetes were prevalent in rural communities as observed in this study.There is a need for routine check of WHR among women in clinical practice and epidemiological surveys,to reduce incidence of cardiovascular diseases.There is a need for promotion of a healthy life style,regular exercise and proper nutrition.
文摘Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the waste man-agement practices among residents of Owerri Municipal, Imo state, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 282 residents of Owerri Municipal were selected by multistage sampling technique and studied using self and interviewer administered questionnaires. The results showed that 90% of respondents were aware of waste management while 97.5% had posi-tive attitude towards it. The major types of waste generated from households were food residues (97.1%) and vegetable products (95.4%). Also poor waste management practices among residents include open dumping, practiced by 66.3% of the residents and burning as practiced by 62.4% of respondents. The commonest means of waste transport to final disposal site was by wheel barrow. Gender and educational status of respondents significantly influenced their knowledge, attitude and practice of waste management (p < 0.05). Good waste management is pivotal to sustainable healthy living conditions in any environment. The residents of Owerri need health education, reg-ular supply of refuse collection facilities and designated final dump sites. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.
文摘Rainwater and groundwater quality in Izombe were assessed.Five water samples were collected from five(5)different locations,with at least one location from one of the four autonomous communities in Izombe,Oguta L.G.A of Imo State.The physicochemical and microbial parameters of rainwater and groundwater samples from Umuakpa,Ndeuloukwu,Ugbele,Ndioko,and Orsu were assessed using Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS).The study was aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbial qualities of groundwater and rainwater in Izombe and how these affect their health as individual members of the community,and their environment when compared to WHO standards.The water samples were collected from five different locations,with at least one location from each of the four autonomous communities,and were assessed.The result indicated that rainwater and groundwater pollutants in the community were turbidities,ammonia,copper and temperatures 7.59±0.02 ph,6.42±0.28 nitrate,59.56±0.50 ammonia,0.29±0.07 phosphate,0.88±0.03 iron,copper,lead,nickel,aluminum,mercury,manganese,cadmium,bacteria count,coliform count,and E-coli.Also,all the pollutant parameters were identified,only iron,copper,aluminum,and bacteria count were not identified as being associated with petroleum products and exploratory activities.This research has broadened the understanding of the suitability of Izombe water sources for both consumption and other purposes.The findings show that the rain and groundwater sources of the community are not fit for human consumption,due to the contaminants inherent in them,attributed majorly to the oil production activities in the area which corroborates other research studies.
