Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are non-infectious. Current projections indicate that by 2020, the largest increases in NCD deaths will occur in Africa which currently has a heavy burden of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was determine the risk factors for NCDs and prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity among adults in a rural community in north-central Nigeria. A crosssectional study was carried out among adults in Gindiri Community of Plateau State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 195 respondents. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the respondents and was then subjected to data analysis using Epi Info version 3.5.3.Among the respondents, 152 (77.9%) were females and 43 (22.1%) males with a mean age of 47.5 + /-18.8 years. Only 44.9% of respondents engaged in physical activity at least twice a week with a mean duration of 69 minutes per session. Fortyfour percent rarely take fruits and vegetables, 18.6% add raw salt to already-prepared meals; 82.1% take sweet/soft drinks with 12.1% who take at least 5 times a week, and 16.9% take snacks daily. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity was found to be 40.2%, 9.7% and 27.2% respectively. Understanding the risk factors for NCDs is vital in tackling the increasing prevalence of NCDs in rural and urban communities. Targeted interventions should also be expanded to include rural communities as well.

Background: Obesity and overweight are known to be associated with other non-communicable diseases (NCD). In recent times, there has been an increase in the prevalence of this healthrelated condition, not only in the developed but also in developing countries. This study set out to assess the prevalence and factors associated with this health condition among chief executives of private and public organizations in Jos metropolis. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 chief executives of public and private institutions in Jos north local government area (LGA) of Plateau State were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique and data was collected from them using interviewer-administered, structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Epi Info statistical software (version 3.5.3). Results: The ages of the respondents ranged between 27 and 68 years with a mean of 44 + 2 years. Majority of the respondents (68%) were males. The prevalence of obesity was found to be 38% while 48.8% of subjects were overweight. BMI of subjects had a statistically significant relationship with sex and income of respondents but not with exercise. There was a fair knowledge of obesity, its contributory factors, and complications among the respondents (63.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight were found to be high among the studied executives, despite their fair knowledge of the disease and its complications. The increasing prevalence of obesity among chief executives of organizations needs to be addressed by increased health education. Managements of organizations should insist on periodic medical checkups for their executives.

Background: The intimately multidirectional relationship between nutrition and HIV/AIDS has been established. Although adequate nutrition can neither cure nor prevent the infection, it plays a major role in the maintenance and improvement of the immunological status of PLWHA thus delaying disease progression and improving patients' quality of life. This study aimed at assessing the factors affecting knowledge and practice of adequate nutrition among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending an AIDS Out-Patient clinic in Jos, North-Central Nigeria.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study where 250 patients on treatment in APIN Clinic were selected using systematic sampling technique. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to gather data from them which were collated and analyzed using EPI info version 3.5.3 Statistical software. Chi-square statistical test was used to assess association and a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results:Majority of the respondents (55.9%) felt protein was the most important food nutrient in their diet. Many of the respondents (48%) reported spending up to 25-50% of their monthly income to ensure they have adequate nutrition. A small proportion of the respondents (22.9%) reported early satiety as the main factors affecting their daily dietary intake while the cost of a food item was the major hindrance to ingesting a preferred food group. Forty five percent of the respondents reported fruits and vegetables as the major components of their daily diet. There was a statistically significant relationship between the BMI of the respondents and the duration on ART prior to the study. Conclusion:The knowledge and practice of adequate nutritional intake was fairly good among studied HIV/ AIDS patients. It however needs to be improved through more involvement of health workers, the media, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations in nutrition education and poverty alleviation.

No abstract

No abstract