DSpace Community: Afr J Med Med Sci

Knowledge of dental erosion and frequency of carbonated drink consumption among students of a Nigerian University

2025-06-03T11:09:20Z

Title: Knowledge of dental erosion and frequency of carbonated drink consumption among students of a Nigerian University Authors: Oderinu, O.M; Savage, K.O; Uti, O.G; Adegbulugbe, I.C Abstract: Abstract Objective: To assess knowledge about dental erosion and determine frequency of consumption of carbonated drinks among a group of Nigerian medical and dental undergraduate students. Methods: A self administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demography, knowledge about dental erosion, and consumption of carbonated drinks from students. Students were chosen using stratified sampling method. Each level of study was taken as a stratum and students were then chosen from each stratum by systematic sampling. Results: A total of 387 questionnaires were returned. Less than a quarter (22.7%) of the respondents correctly describes what they understood to be dental erosion while 60.5% incorrectly answered that 'sugar is involved in the aetiology of erosion of teeth'. Dental students significantly had better knowledge of acid erosion than the medical students (p < 0.05). Many (42.4%) of the respondents drank carbonated drinks 2-4 times a week and frequency of consumption was not significantly affected by knowledge of dental erosion (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of acid erosion was found to be low especially among the medical students indicating a need to include teaching about dental erosion in the general medical school curriculum. Consumption of carbonated drinks was common amongst the surveyed students. Description: Article

Knowledge and perception of stroke among adults in Osogbo, Nigeria

2025-06-03T10:57:53Z

Title: Knowledge and perception of stroke among adults in Osogbo, Nigeria Authors: Ayanniyi, O.; Akande, O.; Mustapha, A.F Abstract: Stroke is a major cause of neurological admission in Nigeria. Its prevention has been reported to be dependent on public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. Ignorance of stroke risk factors and inability to control such risk factors may contribute to high prevalence of stroke among blacks. This cross-sectional descriptive study therefore investigated knowledge and perception of stroke among adults living in Osogbo, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 900 adults aged between 18 and 80 years as at their last birthday. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of instrument used in a previous study. Data collected from the final survey instrument were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 900 adults with male to female ratio of 1.4:1 and mean age 43.6+17.63 years participated in this study. Four hundred and seven (45.2%) of the interviewees reported that they were hypertensive. Heart was incorrectly identified by 54% of the respondents as injured organ during stroke. Majority (83.0%) of the respondents indicated that stroke was preventable whereas only 37.1% of them were aware of stroke recurrence. The most common stroke risk factors listed by the respondents were hypertension (78.2%) stress (59.9%) and old age (58.3%). Stroke survivors were perceived by 68.7% of the respondents as being able to return to activities of daily living but with diminished quality of social life. Knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors was good among the respondents. However, their baseline knowledge about stroke was poor. Stroke survivors were perceived as being unable to return to pre-stroke's quality of social life. Development of educational strategies to enlighten the public about stroke is therefore recommended. Description: Article

Increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol in adult nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria

2025-06-03T10:51:52Z

Title: Increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol in adult nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria Authors: Adigun, M.O; Agbedana, E.O; Kadiri, S.; Taylor, G.O Abstract: Forty-eight adult subjects consisting of 28 patients with nephrotic syndrome and 20 control subjects were studied. The plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were all significantly elevated in the patients with nephrotic syndrome. The elevations in plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and the ratio of LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol were also significant. On the other hand, there was a significant reduction in the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol in the nephrotics. Our results suggest altered lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in adult nephrotic syndrome The significant increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the reduction in the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol, despite the high HDL cholesterol, probably suggests an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease in Nigerian adults suffering from nephrotic syndrome. It is therefore suggested that patient-management strategies for nephrotic syndrome should include lowering of cholesterol by dietary and/or pharmacological therapies Description: Article

Socio-economic aspects of malaria in India — a literature review

2025-06-02T10:15:43Z

Title: Socio-economic aspects of malaria in India — a literature review Authors: RAMANI, A. B. III; SARMAt, NEELAM Abstract: Spraying insecticide and treating cases of malaria is no longer all that is needed to control malaria. Today this requires a good deal of epidemiological and technical expertise. The epidemiology of malaria differs from place to place and from time to time, and thus a continuous study of the changing situation and development of appropriate technology is required to deal with this (Saigal. 1983). It is gradually realized that human factors, in addition to environmental factors, are responsible for the maintenance of high levels of malaria infection in tropical countries in the world. Hence, the efforts for eradication of malaria have now been focused in this direction. The change in human ecology is emerging as a continuing problem when dealing with the eradication process. The most significant fact is the vicious circle of malaria, namely the relationship between malaria and poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, malnutrition and social deprivation. Not only has malaria contributed to poverty and ill health, but the syndrome of under-development also acts as an antecedent of malaria. Description: Article