Variations in abdominal muscle activities of obese females during abdominal bracing exercise in different body positions.

Aims: This study evaluated the activities of the Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscles during abdominal bracing exercises (ABE) in different body positions.

Methodology: Electrical activities of both components of the RA and TrA muscles were assessed respectively in 25 obese females via surface electromyography during ABE in four (4) different body positions (crook lying, side lying, standing, and sitting). Each trial lasted for five (5) seconds with an hour rest period between trials.

Knowledge Levels and Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey for the 'Move for Flow' Programme.

Background: Pregnancy is a significant risk factor for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) which results in high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Awareness creation is one of the preventable strategies of VTE. To this effect, we designed the 'Move for Flow' program aimed at maternal health education on VTE, its symptoms and preventive strategies.

Comparison of self-reported ability to perform Kegel's exercise pre- and post-coital penetration in postpartum women.

We compared the self-reported ability to perform Kegel's exercises pre- and post-coital penetration in postpartum women. A cross-sectional design. Twenty-seven postpartum women with mild urinary incontinence were recruited.

Effects of abdominal girdle belt on pulmonary function variables of postpartum women in Enugu, Nigeria: a quasi-experimental study.

This quasi-experimental study was aimed at investigating the effects of wearing an abdominal girdle belt on pulmonary function variables of postpartum women. 40 consenting postpartum women aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited from a post-natal clinic in Enugu, Nigeria. The participants were conveniently assigned into girdle belt and control groups (20 each).

Utilization of eye care services in an underserved community in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background And Aim: To determine the utilization of eye care services in an underserved community in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 18 years and older. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the utilization of eye care services within the last two years.

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise on Respiratory Functions and Vocal Sustenance in Apparently Healthy Vocalists.

Background: Effective vocalization is dependent on breathing efficiency. Previous studies have reported the efficacy of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise (DBE) on the respiratory muscles and breath control of vocalists. There is a paucity of data on the effects of DBE on their vocal sustenance (VS), which is determined as Maximum Phonation Time (MPT).

Epidemiology, diagnostics and factors associated with mortality during a cholera epidemic in Nigeria, October 2020-October 2021: a retrospective analysis of national surveillance data.

Objectives: Nigeria reported an upsurge in cholera cases in October 2020, which then transitioned into a large, disseminated epidemic for most of 2021. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, diagnostic performance of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits and the factors associated with mortality during the epidemic.

Design: A retrospective analysis of national surveillance data.

Breastfeeding-related neck pain: prevalence and correlates among Nigerian lactating mothers.

Background: Breastfeeding (BF) is a physically demanding task and is predominantly performed in a head-down position as the mother attempts to maintain eye contact with the infant. There are possibilities of BF-related neck pain (BFRNP) that have not been widely studied. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of BFRNP in Nigerian lactating mothers.

Neck Muscles' Responses to Cradle, Cross-cradle and Football Breastfeeding Hold Positions in Nursing Mothers: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Breastfeeding-related Neck Pain (BFNP) is prevalent in nursing mothers and cuts across the utilization of different breastfeeding (BF) hold positions. Biomechanical considerations to highlight ergonomically safe BF positions for the prevention of BFNP have not been previously studied.

Aim: This study was designed to compare the electrical activities of selected neck muscles across three breastfeeding hold positions [cradle (C1), cross-cradle (C2), and football (FB)].

Comparative effects of selected abdominal and lower limb exercises in the recruitment of the pelvic floor muscles: Determining adjuncts to Kegel's exercises.

Purpose: This study evaluated the electrical activities of the pelvic floor muscles in response to selected abdominal and hip adductor exercises, using the Kegel's maneuver as a gold standard, to compare the efficacies of these maneuvers in pelvic floor muscles recruitment to guide their informed utilization as adjuncts for Kegel's exercises.

Method: Twenty-one postpartum mothers with recent vaginal deliveries performed six trials, including the typical Kegel's exercise; two abdominal exercises (curl-up and abdominal hollowing); two hip adductor exercises (adductor ball squeeze and auto-resisted hip adduction); and a combination of abdominal, hip adductor and pelvic floor muscle contractions (combo). Pelvic floor muscles activities were monitored via surface electromyography during each 5-s trial.

Prevalence and clinical profile of glaucoma patients in rural Nigeria-A hospital based study.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of participants with glaucoma attending a public eye care facility in Nigeria.

Method: Hospital based retrospective study of glaucoma participants aged 50 years and above seen over a 5-year period. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic, clinical characteristics and treatment of the participants and determined the association of variables with gender and age.

Social Stability and Unmet Health Care Needs in a Community-Based Sample of Women Who Use Drugs.

Objective: To examine the relationship between social stability and access to healthcare services among a community-based sample of adult female drug users.

Methods: We developed a measure of social stability and examined its relationship to health care access. Data came from a cross-sectional sample of female drug users (N = 538) in Oakland, CA who were interviewed between September 2014 and August 2015.

Evaluation of trunk muscle activities in response to three breastfeeding positions utilised by women.

Background: High prevalence of breastfeeding (BF)-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nursing mothers have been reported in previous studies. Studies are scarce on the biomechanical effects of the commonly utilized BF positions.

Objective: This study evaluated the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the trunk muscles in response to three BF positions commonly utilized by mothers globally.

Knowledge, practices and perceived barriers of physiotherapists involved in disaster management: a cross-sectional survey of Nigeria-based and trained physiotherapists.

Background: Disasters represent substantial health risks to the human population. Proper interventions at all stages of disaster management (DM) are essential for human-related outcomes. The role of physiotherapy in DM should not be underestimated, but unfortunately information on the involvement of physiotherapists in DM is limited in sub-Saharan Africa.

Determining safe teaching board heights through electromyographic analysis of the shoulder muscles.

Background: Adjustable teaching boards have been recommended as an ergonomic practice geared at reducing the incidences of teaching-related shoulder musculoskeletal disorders among teachers. However, there are no standards guiding choice of appropriate teaching board heights. This study was aimed at evaluating shoulder muscle activities in response to five teaching board heights.

Pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists (Keke Napep riders) in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background: Tricyclists are continuously exposed to vehicle emissions and other environmental pollutants, due to the nature of their job and vehicle design, which may be hazardous to health. However, there is paucity of data on the pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists in Nigeria, which should have provided insight into any relevant health concerns in this population, hence this study.

Objectives: This study evaluated the pulmonary functions of tricyclists, in comparison with those of age-matched non-tricyclists.

Pulmonary functions and associated risk factors among school teachers in a selected Nigerian population.

This study aimed to determine pulmonary functions and associated risk factors among school teachers. This cross-sectional ex-post facto study included 121 participants (20 males and 101 females). The setting for this study included 11 private schools and eight government schools.

Biomechanical analysis of the three recommended breastfeeding positions.

Background: For maternal and infant benefits, cradle, cross-cradle and football hold positions have been recommended and widely utilized by mothers during breastfeeding (BF) tasks. There is paucity of data on the biomechanical costs of these BF positions.

Objective: This study evaluated the trunk lean angles and electromyographic (EMG) activities of the trunk muscles during these BF positions.

Electromyographic activity of the neck muscles: Effects of varying standing height-derived teaching board heights.

Background: Despite the increasing emergence of modern facilities, the ancient practice of writing on a teaching board is still common in the teaching profession. Ergonomic guidelines of this practice are required for the prevention of work-related neck musculoskeletal disorders inherent of teachers.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of varying teaching board heights on the activities of the neck muscles.

Infant-carrying techniques: Which is a preferred mother-friendly method?

Infant carrying is still trendy among African mothers than in other climes, however, carrying techniques vary mostly along cultural divides. Using a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, the authors evaluated the effect of three types of infant-carrying techniques on cardiopulmonary function, metabolic expenditure, fatigue demand, and locomotion. Front wrap infant-carrying technique led to a marginally higher cardiopulmonary demand.

Establishment of validated models for non-invasive prediction of rectal temperature of sows using infrared thermography and chemometrics.

Rectal temperature is an important physiological indicator used to characterize the reproductive and health status of sows. Infrared thermography, a surface temperature measurement technology, was investigated in this study to explore its feasibility in non-invasive detection of rectal temperature in sows. A total of 124 records of rectal temperature and surface temperature in various body regions of 99 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows were collected.

Evaluation of selected cardiopulmonary and perceived exertion responses to four infant carrying methods utilised by African Mothers.

Various infant carrying methods (ICMs) are utilised for childcare. Effects of these ICMs on the cardiopulmonary system are not known. This study evaluated cardiopulmonary and perceptual responses to four ICMs (back, front, side and in-arms) among 30 young females (18-35 years) while walking with a 6 kg simulated infant.

Prevalence, pattern and correlates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers in Enugu, Nigeria.

. There is insufficient literature on the prevalence of and risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among teachers in Nigeria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related MSDs and their associations with occupational and socio-demographic factors of Nigerian-based school teachers.