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Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria
Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi,
Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma,
Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi,
Eko Jimmy Ebi,
O’Neill Mary Emmanuel,
Osonwa Okorie Kalu,
Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
129-136
Received:
10 July 2015
Accepted:
14 July 2015
Published:
1 August 2015
Abstract: Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.
Abstract: Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipa...
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High Rate of HIV- Positives in a Surgery Focused Medical Outreach in Jos Nigeria: Lessons from a Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing
Christian Isichei,
Kenneth Enwerem,
Mercy Isichei,
Jean Njab,
Charles Anyaka,
Ngozi Okoro,
Tinuade Oyebode,
Prosper Okonkwo
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
137-140
Received:
3 August 2015
Accepted:
10 August 2015
Published:
19 August 2015
Abstract: Background: Despite the multisectoral response to HIV epidemic and the promotion of combination prevention with HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) as an entry into Treatment, Care and Support, coverage has remained low and certain HIV positive persons continue to witness stigmatization and discrimination.Though strategies to scale up HCT services have largely promoted provider initiated mobile HCT including home testing, we investigated the outcome of a provider initiated faith based organization, Faith Alive Foundation and Hospital located in Jos and its facility based HCT among pre-surgical patients in Jos Plateau state, North Central Nigeria.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey among pre-surgical patients at Faith Alive Foundation and Hospital in Jos Plateau state from 16-20th December 2013. Participants were selected by simple random as they presented at the hospital after vital signs and clinical diagnosis. HIV Counseling and Testing was provided according to the National guidelines and standards with the “opt out” algorithm.Data were captured and analyzed on Epi Info 6.04. Cross tabulations were used to generate descriptive statistics including frequency distribution, percentages and Fisher’s exact odds ratios at 95% confidence limits with 5% probability level of significance. Results:More than half (56%) of participants were males, 44% were females with a median age of 39 years. HIV seropositive rate was at least two fold higher in females than in male participants and overall HIV positive estimate was 12.2% ( 95%CI , 9.6 – 16.3). In addition, majority (84%) of surgical presentations identified during the outreach were hernia cases (33%), and the rest lipoma (25%), appendicitis (12%) and other forms of lumps (12%). Response rate during the provider initiated pre-surgical HCT “opt-out” design was 100%.Conclusion: Though strategies to scale up HCT services have largely promoted provider initiated mobile HCT, we found high rate of HIV in a provider initiated facility based HCT among pre-surgical patients in Jos, Plateau state of North Central Nigeria with 100% response rate in an “opt-out” design.Therefore, pre-surgical Patient Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) is a viable strategy that may significantly contribute towards Universal Access to HIV/AIDS prevention services
Abstract: Background: Despite the multisectoral response to HIV epidemic and the promotion of combination prevention with HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) as an entry into Treatment, Care and Support, coverage has remained low and certain HIV positive persons continue to witness stigmatization and discrimination.Though strategies to scale up HCT services hav...
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Public Awareness and Practices of Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Community Towards Zoonotic Brucella Infection in Afar Regional State of North East Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
141-146
Received:
8 December 2014
Accepted:
23 December 2014
Published:
6 September 2015
Abstract: Camel brucellosis represents a major public health hazard, which affects social and economic development in various developing countries including the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine public awareness, attitude and practices of the pastoralists, agro pastoralists, animal health assistants and human health professionals towards zoonotic Brucella infection in the region using a questionnaire. A total of 168 respondents (56 individuals from each district) were interviewed. According to the logistic regression analysis, Literacy was found statistically significant (P<0.05) in association with awareness of the community about the disease. All respondents expressed that they consume raw milk and they did not use any protective material while handling parturient camels, removing placenta and/or other aborted materials. Only 13 (7.7%) had knowledge about brucellosis and 98 (58.3%) of the respondents had family members with fever of unknown cause and other signs of brucellosis. During the study, 40 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Brucella infection. Moreover, out of the 112 human health professionals included in the study, only 14 (12.5%) had knowledge on zoonotic Brucella infection. But none of them had ever diagnosed the disease in humans and the reason for the diagnosis problem was lack of facility and no attention was given to the disease. The questionnaire survey revealed that there was a knowledge gap not only in the community but also in the human health professionals about zoonotic Brucella infection in the study areas. Even though the animal health assistants had better awareness about the disease, they did not collaborate with human health professionals to create awareness to the community and to prevent the disease. Therefore, Public education on modern animal husbandry, disease prevention and risk of zoonotic Brucella infection should be imparted continuously.
Abstract: Camel brucellosis represents a major public health hazard, which affects social and economic development in various developing countries including the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine public awareness, attitude and practices of the pastoralists, agro pastoralists, animal health assistants and human heal...
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Optimum Sun Exposure Times for Vitamin D Status Correction in Saudi Arabia
Fahad Alamri,
Fahad Alshahrani,
Yousef Al-Saleh,
Mohammed Yehia Saeedi,
Mussa Hussein Almalki,
Nasser Al-Daghri,
Abdulallah Alzahrani,
Michael Holick,
Ahmed Khair Ibrahim
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
147-154
Received:
7 August 2015
Accepted:
15 August 2015
Published:
7 September 2015
Abstract: Vitamin deficiency is considered to be a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia, especially during summer. The major source of vitamin D is sun exposure. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimum time for sun exposure in four different cities (North, South, West and East regions) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the current study ampoules containing 7-dehydrocholesterol in ethanol were exposed to sunlight every hour starting from sunrise until sunset in June 2013. Results indicated that the geographical location and the time of the day have a major influence in vitamin D production. In summer, conversion of pre-vitamin D3 was observed to be elevated between 8.00-9.00 AM to 3:30-4:30 PM, with peak hours between 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Moreover in the east region (Dammam), conversion of pre-vitamin D3 showed significant reduction by around 50%. In conclusion, the optimum sun exposure time for vitamin D3 production in the north, south and west regions of Saudi Arabia during summer is from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, as well as 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.Air pollution might be the cause for the decreased conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre-vitamin D3 in the east region. Conservatively, the optimum time for sun exposure therefore in Dammam city is from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, as well as 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Knowledge of the optimum sun exposure times during summer can be highly effective in preventing vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: Vitamin deficiency is considered to be a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia, especially during summer. The major source of vitamin D is sun exposure. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimum time for sun exposure in four different cities (North, South, West and East regions) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the current study ampo...
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Cervical Instability as a Cause of Barré-Liéou Syndrome and Definitive Treatment with Prolotherapy: A Case Series
Ross A. Hauser,
Danielle Steilen,
Ingrid Schaefer Sprague
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
155-166
Received:
20 July 2015
Accepted:
22 August 2015
Published:
14 September 2015
Abstract: Barré-Liéou syndrome, or posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome, has symptomatology related to underlying cervical instability. While classified as a rare disease, Barré-Liéou syndrome is likely underdiagnosed. Vertebral instability, occurring after neck ligament injury, affects the function of cervical sympathetic ganglia (located anterior to vertebral bodies). Symptomatology includes neck pain, migraines/headache, vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, visual/auditory disturbances, and other symptoms of the head/neck region. Treatment for Barré-Liéou syndrome is suboptimal and often involves long-term use of pain medications, chiropractic care, or surgical fusion. Prolotherapy offers a noninvasive treatment option to ameliorate symptoms while treating the underlying cause of the disorder—cervical instability. In this case series, the results of eight patients from 2011 to 2013 who received prolotherapy for Barré-Liéou syndrome following longstanding symptoms after trauma are reported. All patients reported improvement of neck pain and associated symptoms and increased physical activity. Prolotherapy should be considered as treatment for Barré-Liéou syndrome.
Abstract: Barré-Liéou syndrome, or posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome, has symptomatology related to underlying cervical instability. While classified as a rare disease, Barré-Liéou syndrome is likely underdiagnosed. Vertebral instability, occurring after neck ligament injury, affects the function of cervical sympathetic ganglia (located anterior to ver...
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