Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of gas flare and air pollution on body mass index, blood pressure and blood sugar measures in individuals living in Niger Delta states of Nigeria.
Methodology: Two communities (a test and a control) were used for the study in Niger Delta communities in Imo State. The study was carried out among randomly selected chronically exposed and non-exposed residents. People of different occupations and sex were used for the study. Blood pressure was measured using manual mercurial sphygmomanometer in sitting position after about 10 minutes rest while random blood sugar was measured using Accu-CHEK glucometer. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated in kg/m2 as a ratio of body weight and height squared.
Results: Results showed that the mean BMI of the test group (27.88 ± 0.23) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the control (23.16 ± 0.18). Also, generally, the mean blood pressure measurements (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial blood pressure) and blood sugar of both males and the females were significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with the control. Blood pressure measures were higher in males while blood sugar was higher in females. Irrespective of occupation, blood pressure and blood sugar measurements showed a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the test group when compared with the control.
Conclusion: In conclusion, long-term exposure to oil/gas flares increased blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords : Gas flaring, Blood pressure, Diabetes mellitus, Body mass index
Background: This study assessed the level of satisfaction of patients with TB implementation in selected DOTS accredited facilities.
Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional analytic study involving rural and urban areas implementing DOTS for TB in Anambra State was done. A total of 354 respondents (177 per sub population) were enrolled in the study. By exit interview respondents were administered the questionnaire that bordered on services rendered and cost implications of accessing treatment at the facilities.
Results: A total of 162(91.5%) rural respondents were satisfied with appropriateness of working hours compared to 166(93.8%) participants in urban areas. Also 141(79.7%) respondents in rural areas were satisfied with waiting time compared to 155(87.6%) in urban areas and this was statistically significant p<0.004. For the cleanliness of the specimen bottle 138(77.8%) rural respondents compared to 148(83.6%) in urban areas were satisfied and this was statistically significant, p<0.001. Majority of the urban respondents 123(68.9%) were satisfied with respect offered by health workers compared to rural 114(64.4%), and this was also significant, p<0.000. Concerning cost incurred and information given by health workers more urban respondents 5(2.8%) were dissatisfied compared to rural 2(1.1%) though not statistically significant p= 0.378. However, satisfaction was slightly higher in urban (82.8%) compared to rural (80.8%) respondents, while the overall satisfaction in this study was 81.8%.
Conclusion: Patient`s satisfaction is a panacea for successful DOTS implementation. We therefore recommend that satisfaction could be improved by provision patient-centred requests such as provision of multivitamins, transport, food among others to help improve DOTS because it will encourage attendance and adherence with better outcomes.
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