International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 188-201, March, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical and hematological indices of normal human subjects, pre-treatment, and combined therapy (semi-vegan diet and metformin)-administered diabetic patients of Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Nigeria

*Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence., ¹Alisa, Christopher O, ²Ozougwu, Jevas Chibuike, ³Nwakamma, Gerald and ⁴Nwakwudo, Eucharia N.

*^,4Department of Biochemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.

¹Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. 

²Physiology and Biomedical Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

³Department of Optometry, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri. Imo State. Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 March, 2015

Abstract 

The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of the use of biochemical, and hematological indices as diagnostic parameters of type 2 diabetes mellitus disease, useful for monitoring recovery from the disease. The experimental units were twenty (n=20) pre-treatment diabetic patients (pre-treat D patients); the same twenty pre-treat D patients administered with metformin (glucophage: dose ≈1250 mg/day) and balanced semi-vegan diet (met-AD patients) for a six-week treatment period;  and twenty normal human subjects (Norm-H subjects). The mean values (± standard error) of fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum glycated albumin (GA), fasting serum insulin (I), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum cholesterol (C), serum triglyceride (TG), glycated hemoglobin (HbAc1), serum Ca²⁺ were significantly higher (p<0.05), (p<0.01, for Ca²⁺), in the pre-treat D patients compared with the met-AD patients (73.98±1.15mg/dl , 15.8±0.5%, 8.2 ±0.9 mU/L, 9.9 ±1.0 U/l, 172.5 ± 11 mg/dl, 80.1±1.5 mg/dl, 5.25±0.8%, and 2.29±0.10 mmol/l, respectively)  and Norm-H subjects. The mean values of Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ were significantly lower (p<0.01) in the pre-treat D patients compared with the met-AD patients (0.99±0.05 mmol/l and 142.5±0.2 mmol/l), respectively, and Norm-H subjects. Multiple regression studies revealed that FBS regressed significantly (p<0.05) with C, TG, GA, and HbAc1 of met-AD patients. The correlation statistical analysis between C and TG of pre-treatment D patients was significant (p<0.05), r = 0.985. Analyzed indices are effective and sufficient for the diagnosis, and post-treatment monitoring of recovery from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prognosis studies show that a combined semi-vegan dietary and drug (metformin/glucophage) therapy  is  very efficient and useful in the management and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Key words: Serum, glycated, treatment, prognosis, rehabilitation.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 183-187, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among voluntary blood donors in Enugu Metropolis

Ngwu Amauche Martina^1*, Obi Godwin Okorie¹, Okoye Augustine Ejike², Eluke Blessing Chekwube³, Anigolu Miriam Obiageli⁴

¹Department of Hematology and Immunology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.

²Department of Hematology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

³Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Chemical Pathology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14, November 2014

Abstract 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission through blood transfusion has not been effectively reduced in low income countries due to unavailability of screening methods involving the detection of viral nucleic acid and pathogen inactivation. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and HCV in voluntary blood donors. A total of 282 blood samples were screened for HIV, HBsAg and HCV by rapid test kits. Eighty six point two percent (86.2%) of the participants were 18-27 years, 76.6% of the subjects were males and students in higher institutions in Enugu state. Overall prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and HCV in this study was 2.8%, 5.3% and 1.1%. This study demonstrates high prevalence of HIV & HBV in blood donors residing in Enugu state.  To reduce the transmission of HIV, HBsAg & HCV through blood transfusion more sensitive technique (Polymerase Chain Reaction) should be using in screening blood donors.

Keywords:  Prevalence, HIV, HBsAg, HCV, blood, donors, infection, tests.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 178-182, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Oral cancer awareness and Prevalence of Betel nuts, pan and ghutka in school children of rural areas of Sindh, Pakistan

¹DR Arsalan A. Uqaili, ²DR Rafeea Shah, ³DR Azm ul Hussain and ⁴Dr Naresh Kumar

^1,2,3,4(postgraduate trainee Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro.)

Accepted 23 July, 2014

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract 

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of betel nuts, pan and ghutka in the school children of rural areas and suburbs of Sindh, Pakistan and whether they have awareness for oral cancer and its risk factors. Spreading awareness in school going children can potentially reduce the incidence of oral cancer in our society. Through the use of a questionnaire we assessed 462 school children in three districts of Sindh: Thatta, Jamshoro and Hyderabad, on their consumption of betel nuts, pan and ghutka; oral behaviors; their knowledge of oral cancer and their understanding of common risk factors for oral cancer. Out of 462 students questioned, 66% of them answered positive for eating at least one of the risk factors studied in this study. However knowledge of the side effects of these substances was poor and even erroneous and only 44% had awareness in general. Regarding brushing teeth daily, 92% of students brushed at least once daily. In response to being aware of the word Oral cancer, only 34% answered that they have heard about Oral cancer. 29% of all the students could mention betel nuts, pan or ghutka as the risk factor for oral cancer. Awareness of the risk factors and clinical features of oral cancer provides an opportunity to reduce the incidence of new addicts among the young population, application of that knowledge seems, however, to be poor. This highlights a need for improved education of school going children and introduction of special teaching and interactive programs to communicate the message in a more persuasive manner.

Key words: Oral cancer, mouth ulcers, tooth brushing, awareness, betel nuts, school children.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 172-177, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Knowledge of risk factors and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among health care workers in a Teaching Hospital in Southwestern Nigeria

¹Fasanu A.O, ¹Akindele R.A, ² Adebimpe W.A, ¹ Ala O.O.A, ¹ Omopariola S.O, ³ Adisa O.P

 ¹Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

²Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria.

³Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. Email:[email protected]

Accepted 11, June 2014

Abstract

Cervical cancer constitutes a major public health threat to women in many low resourced countries. Awareness and utilization of screening measures were reportedly low among health care workers. Knowledge of risk factors and utilization of cervical cancer screening services was assessed among health care workers in a teaching hospital in Southwestern Nigeria. Descriptive cross sectional study among 240 female hospital staff was selected using a multi stage sampling method by a self-administered semi structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software, level of significance was considered at P value < 0.05 for inferential statistics. About 64.2% of respondents had poor mean knowledge of risk factors to cancer of the cervix, 22.9% had moderate, while 12.9% had good mean knowledge score. Twenty four (10%) ever had Pap’s smear done. Higher educational level is a predictor of doing Pap’s smear; early sexual exposure was a predictor of having heard about Pap’s smear while multiple sexual partners are predictors of having heard about cancer of the cervix and having done a Pap’s smear. This study reveals that good awareness about cervical cancer, poor knowledge of risk factors and poor utilization of cervical cancer screening services characterized health workers.

Key words: Cervical cancer, Pap’s smear, screening, knowledge of risk factors, utilization.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 169-171, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of American diabetes association criteria on the frequency of impaired fasting glucose

*¹Yoseph Cherinet Megerssa, ¹Mistire Wolde Gebre, ¹Samuel Kinde Birru, ¹Ahmed Reja Goshu  and  ²Demo Yemane Tesfaye

¹Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

²Hawassa University, Ethiopia.Email: [email protected]

Accepted 30 May, 2014

Abstract 

In 2003 the American diabetes association (ADA) suggested to lower diagnostic criteria for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) from 110mg/dl (6.1mmol/l) to 100mg/dl (5.6mmol/l). However the World Health Organization (WHO) remains to maintain lowered threshold criteria as 110mg/dl due to a lack of evidence of any benefit in terms of reducing progression to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of ADA criteria with respect to the frequency of IFG. Institutional based cross sectional study from December 2012 to February 2013 was conducted to assess the impact of the ADA diagnostic criteria in prevalence of IFG. 422 subjects from five institutions at Bishoftu town were involved. Blood sample after fasting for >8 hours was collected and serum was assayed for glucose. Prevalence of IFG showed that the ADA diagnostic criteria increased the prevalence of IFG from 15. 4% to 45.3% compared with the current WHO criteria. The proposed diagnostic criteria for IFG by ADA will lead to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of IFG. Therefore further studies are needed to evaluate the change of the frequency in nationwide and among various sample populations along with the benefits as compared to WHO criteria.

Key words: ADA, Bishoftu,  IFG, institutions, prevaence, WHO.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 158-168, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of lifestyle options on the determinants of the Metabolic Syndrome in the urban and peri-urban Regions of Cameroon

Gordon Kunbuma Tachang¹, Choukem Simeon Pierrre², Djebet Jules³, Ndzudie⁴ and Vincent P K Titanji¹

Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of science, University of Buea-Cameroon Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buea, Cameroon. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Douala, Cameroon. Cardiology department, General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 3, March 2014

Abstract 

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has a high prevalence in many Western countries but relatively lower in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of the key determinants of MS, like Hypertension, Diabetes, Elevated Body Mass Index (BMI), Dyslipidemias and central obesity, are on a steady rise in Africa. This study aims to assess the effect of lifestyle options on the determinants of the metabolic syndrome in the urban and peri-urban regions of Cameroon. 1974 males and females patients aged between 18 -80 years were recruited for this study between 2010 and 2011. Trained and forthrightly certified nurses obtained blood pressure and anthropometric measurements and collected a venous blood sample for measurement of glucose. Questionnaires on medical and medication history as well as lifestyle options were administered. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components were estimated using the International Diabetes Federation, (IDF) 2005, World Health Organization (WHO, 1999), NCEP-ATP III criteria. Associations between lifestyle options and determinants of the Metabolic syndrome was done using χ²-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Multivariable analysis was conducted using the Binomial logistic regression models since MS is both a categorical and a dichotomous variable. The diabetic condition was significantly associated with the consumption of rapid sugars (χ2-test; p<0.001). BMI was significantly associated with occupation (χ²-test; p < 0.001) WHR was significantly associated with sporting activities (χ²-test; p=0.002) and consumption of rapid sugars (χ²-test; p=0.001). The determinants of MS’ had the highest explanatory power (EP=80.5%) toward Metabolic syndrome diabetes history (p<0.001). Hypertension was significantly associated with area of residence, occupation and consumption of rapid sugars (p<0.001). Sleep duration and sporting activities were not significantly associated with the determinants of the metabolic syndrome.

Key words:  Metabolic syndrome, determinants, lifestyle options, hypertension, IDF 2004.