Leisure-Time Physical Activity among University Students in Mauritius
Marie CHAN SUN,
Kawthur B. AZMUTALLY
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, July 2013
Pages:
1-8
Received:
30 May 2013
Published:
30 June 2013
Abstract: Mauritius has Type 2 Diabetes mellitus as public health issue, whereby unhealthy modes of eating and sedentary lifestyles are factors to be addressed in the primary prevention of the disease among the youth. This study was thus designed to investigate the prevalence of Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among university students in Mauritius and to explore their motivations and constraints to engage in LTPA, using the ecological model of health promotion. Data were collected from a representative group of university students in Mauritius using a self-administered questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to LTPA issues were collected. Three-fifths of the participants met the recommended levels of LTPA. The majority of inactive participants were female. Motivations provided by participants to engage in LTPA were predominantly intrapersonal. The three most mentioned motivations were improvement in physical health, improvement in physical appearance and to have fun. Constraints faced by participants to engage in LTPA were mainly of an intrapersonal nature. The three main constraints provided by students were lack of time, having to study and not being motivated. Therefore, interventions to promote LTPA among university students should simultaneously address development of time-management skills and provision of incentives to perform LTPA.
Abstract: Mauritius has Type 2 Diabetes mellitus as public health issue, whereby unhealthy modes of eating and sedentary lifestyles are factors to be addressed in the primary prevention of the disease among the youth. This study was thus designed to investigate the prevalence of Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among university students in Mauritius and...
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Burden of Limitations of Activities of Daily Living among Geriatric Nigerians with Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Resource-Limited Nigerian Primary Care Clinic in Eastern Nigeria
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh,
Abali Chuku,
Odinakachukwu Japhet Dike,
Obinna Peters Amafili,
Blessing Chidinma Nnaji
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, July 2013
Pages:
9-16
Received:
16 June 2013
Published:
10 July 2013
Abstract: Background: Globally, there is emerging increase in the population of elderly. Despite the process of natural aging, elderly population in addition suffer musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which affect their activities of daily living (ADLs). Aim: The study was designed to determine the burden of limitations of activities of daily living among geriatric Nigerians with musculoskeletal disorders in a resource-limited Nigerian primary care clinic in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on 894 geriatric patients who were screened for MSDs and 130 of them who had diagnoses of MSDs were studied. Data was collected using a pretested, structured and interviewer administered questionnaire. Each ADL was scored on a four points Likert scale and assessed in the previous one month from the domains of physical, personal, domestic, instrumental and spiritual activities of daily living. Patients who scored 0 had no affectation of ADLs while those who scored 1-3 were variably affected. Results: The prevalence of MSDs was 14.5%. Three most common musculoskeletal disorders were low back pain (36.9%), osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints (30.0%) and spine curvature disorders (17.7%). Physical activity was most commonly affected (89.2%) and spiritual activity was least affected (8.5%). Conclusion: MSDs are common among geriatric Nigerians with the most common being low back pain. Physical ADL was predominantly affected while spiritual ADL was least affected. Strategies to improve ADLs should constitute targets for intervention during clinical encounter with geriatric patients with MSDs in primary care settings.
Abstract: Background: Globally, there is emerging increase in the population of elderly. Despite the process of natural aging, elderly population in addition suffer musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which affect their activities of daily living (ADLs). Aim: The study was designed to determine the burden of limitations of activities of daily living among geria...
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Frequency of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adult Nigerians with Family History of Non-Communicable Cardiovascular Disease in a Primary Care Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in a Resource-Constrained Environment of Eastern Nigeria
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh,
Abali Chuku,
Nnadozie Paul Obiegbu,
John Nnaemeka Ofoedu,
Augustin Obiora Ikwudinma
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, July 2013
Pages:
17-25
Received:
27 July 2013
Published:
20 August 2013
Abstract: Background: Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors tend to cluster in persons with family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with variable distribution and penetrance. Screening adult Nigerians with immutable family history of CVD for other conventional CV risk factors is an important primary care challenge that is often neglected especially in resource-constrained settings. Aim: This study was designed to determine the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in adult Nigerians with family history of non-communicable cardiovascular disease in a primary care clinic of a tertiary hospital in a resource-constrained environment of Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive facility-based study carried out on 440 consecutive adult Nigerians with family history of at least one of the major non-communicable CVDs in Nigeria who were screened for CV risk factors. Basic demographic variables, cardio-metabolic and behavioural risk factors were obtained using a pretested, structured and researcher-administered questionnaire. The conventional CV risk factors studied were hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use. Family history of CVD refers to previous information on any major CVDs such as hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke in any of the first, second and third degree generation family members who were dead or alive made by a health professional. Results: The three most frequent cardiovascular risk factors were physical inactivity (81.6%), asymptomatic hypertension (26.4%) and obesity (18.9%). Others included alcohol use (17.5%), diabetes mellitus (7.7%) and tobacco use (5.7%). Conclusion: This study has shown that CV risk factors exist among the study population with three most common being physical inactivity, asymptomatic hypertension and obesity. Screening adult Nigerians with family history of CVD for cardio-metabolic and behavioural CV risk factors should form baseline evaluation for these patients during clinical encounter in primary care.
Abstract: Background: Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors tend to cluster in persons with family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with variable distribution and penetrance. Screening adult Nigerians with immutable family history of CVD for other conventional CV risk factors is an important primary care challenge that is often neglected especially in re...
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