PREVALENCE AND INFLUENCING FACTORS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AMONG OBESE PATIENTS (DIABESITY) ATTENDING SELECTED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN CALABAR, NIGERIA: A MIXED METHOD STUDY.

Aim/objectives: This study aims to ascertain the prevalence and influencing factors of diabesity among adult patients visiting the General Outpatient clinic of three government healthcare facilities in Calabar, Nigeria. The objective is to enhance healthcare delivery to at-risk patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design incorporating a mixed method approach, including quantitative and qualitative components such as Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII), was employed.

Barriers and Facilitators to Dietary Salt Reduction Among Patients With Hypertension in Southern Nigeria: A Hospital-based Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Reduction in salt intake improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, salt intake remains high among Nigerians. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to salt reduction among hypertensive patients attending a family medicine clinic in southern Nigeria.

Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Lifestyle Modification among Patients with Hypertension Attending the Family Medicine Clinics of ISTH, Irrua, Nigeria (Milmaph Study) - A Randomised Control Trial Study Protocol.

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Over a quarter of patients with hypertension have uncontrolled hypertension. Lifestyle modification has been shown to improve blood pressure control, thus measures that would help patients with hypertension achieve positive lifestyle modification would improve BP control.

Association between sleep quality and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients at a rural tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Restorative sleep is critical in preventing hypertension and other chronic diseases. Limited research has explored the relationship between sleep quality and hypertension in Africa. This study investigated the association between sleep quality and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients in Southern Nigeria.

Risk Factors for Hypertension among Adult Patients Attending the General Outpatient Clinics of a Tertiary Hospital in Uyo, South-South Nigeria.

Background: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors for Hypertension among adults attending the general outpatient clinic of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of three hundred and eightyfive (385) adults (18 years and above) attending the General Outpatient Clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, was carried out between March and June, 2013.

Comparison of cold water sponging and acetaminophen in control of Fever among children attending a tertiary hospital in South Nigeria.

Background: A wide range of childhood illnesses are accompanied by fever, leading to varied attempts at treatment by caregivers at home before coming to a hospital. Common modalities of treatment include use of antipyretics and physical methods such as cold water sponging, fanning and removal of clothing. These treatment modalities have been received with varied attitudes among physicians and the scientific community.

Use of the General Health Questionnaire as a screening tool for geriatric patients in Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: Old age is inevitably associated with general biological and physical decline.Mental health issues are among the most prevalent health problems of the elderly and constitute an important source of distress for patients and caregivers. Primary care providers frequently fail to diagnose these problems, and, even when they do, management may not be optimal.

Patient-related factors influencing satisfaction in the patient-doctor encounters at the general outpatient clinic of the university of calabar teaching hospital, calabar, Nigeria.

Medical consultation is at the centre of clinical practice. Satisfaction of a patient with this process is a major determinant of the clinical outcome. This study sought to determine the proportion of patients who were satisfied with their doctor-patient encounter and the patient-related factors that affected patients' satisfaction with the consultation process.

Recognition of mental health problems by primary care physicians in a tertiary care hospital in Nigeria.

Aims And Objectives: This study sought to determine the difference in detection of attendees with mental health problems visiting the General Out-patient clinic of a tertiary institution; the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-12) were compared with those identified by the physicians.

Patients And Methods: Three hundred and twenty two (322) subjects aged 18 years and above, attending the clinic for the first time, were recruited for the study by a systematic random sampling method. Using a cut off score of '3' on the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), 'Cases' and 'Non-cases' generated were compared with those identified by the doctors.

Patient characteristics that may predict the likelihood of the presence of mental health problems in patients attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria.

Background A considerable number of patients seen in general outpatient clinics (GOPC) are known to suffer from psychiatric rather than physical disorders. Studies have shown that doctors working in these clinics have difficulty in making accurate ratings of mental health problems in their patients and have poor knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis. Accurate recognition of psychiatric symptoms in a patient is essential for specific diagnosis and successful management.

Diverse blood exposures associated with incident HIV infection in Calabar, Nigeria.

Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, despite evidence that penile-vaginal sex cannot account for the epidemic in the region. To investigate correlates of incident HIV infection in Calabar, Nigeria, we surveyed clients at voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres. Participating clients who tested multiple times were generally similar to those testing only once in terms of demographic characteristics, sexual and blood exposures and HIV prevalence.

Exposure of petrol station attendants and auto mechanics to premium motor sprit fumes in Calabar, Nigeria.

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations.

The role of mothers in household health-seeking behavior and decision-making in childhood febrile illness in Okurikang/Ikot Effiong Otop community, Cross River State, Nigeria.

The authors examine mothers and decision making during childhood febrile illness in rural Nigeria in this article. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive community survey, we elicited information from four categories of caregivers with the help of structured questionnaires. Apart from sociostructural economic factors, the authors reveal how interlocking objectives and values as expressed in extended family institutions functioned to influence both behavior and decision making of mothers.

Treatment of relatives by doctors: experience from Calabar, Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the involvement of medical practitioners working in a tropical setting in the treatment of their relatives.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Subjects: Medical practitioners of all cadres working in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Human capital flight challenges within an equitable health system.

Background: The issue of human capital flight has been discussed at different forums with a consensus opinion that it has its merits and demerits to equitable health system. Most often one nation becomes a substantial net exporter of talent, leaving the provider nation at risk of depleting its natural supply of talent. This paper looks into the historical perspective of human capital flight or "brain drain", and its burden.

Reframing the HIV/AIDS debate in developing countries II: case stories of Nigerian rural people living with HIV/AIDS.

Since it was first officially reported in Nigeria in 1984, HIV/AIDS has continued to spread in the country to the extent that today it constitutes a major problem. The two case stories of Nigerian rural people living with HIV/AIDS presented in this article were selected from 200 such stories that were compiled against the backdrop of the impact of scarcity of resources on care and support for People Living With HIV/AIDS from Nigerian rural communities.

Oil doom and AIDS boom in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Context: There has been a steady rise in Nigeria's HIV/AIDS burden since the first sero-prevalence survey in 1991. Nigeria's economy is mainly dependent on oil that comes from the Niger Delta Region. The majority of the people of the Niger delta region depend on fishing and farming for livelihood.

STI epidemics in the Indian Ocean region: can the phase be assessed?

The Indian Ocean provides a unique opportunity to curb the HIV epidemic in its nascent phase through strengthening STI control programmes. Making effective and appropriate health services available should be regarded as the first priority for STI control in the region and, whenever possible, core groups should be identified and targeted to interrupt transmission within such networks.