UnizikSpace Community: Faculty of Medicine

Depressive Disorders Among In-School Adolescents: How Prevalent in Anambra State, Nigeria

2026-08-14T10:52:59Z

Title: Depressive Disorders Among In-School Adolescents: How Prevalent in Anambra State, Nigeria Authors: Mbanuzuru, Ahoma V; Richard Uwakwe, Prosper OU Adogu; Chinomnso C Nnebue, Ifeoma B Udigwe; Chinyere M Mbanuzuru Abstract: Abstract Background: Depressive disorders are the leading causes of ill-health and disability globally. Depression among adolescents is usually associated with a range of adverse later outcomes which include suicidality, and general poor physical and mental health. Objective: To determine and compare the prevalence of depressive disorders among in-school adolescents in urban and rural areas of Anambra State. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analytical study of urban and rural in-school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 1187 secondary school adolescents in government-owned schools in Anambra State was selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was the study instrument. Results: The mean age of the participants was 15±2 years. The overall prevalence of depression was 12.5%. The proportion of urban participants identified with depression was significantly higher than that of their rural counterparts (14.5% versus 9.6%). Multiple regression showed that increased odds of developing depression are associated with urban setting (p = 0.001), female gender (p=0.018), and late adolescence (p=0.025). Conclusion: This study showed that depressive disorders are prevalent among in-school adolescents in Anambra State, with some of the associated factors being urban setting, female gender and late adolescence. There is need for multi-sectoral intervention programs to address these identified factors.

Exercise Impacts Positively on Bone Mineral Density in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seropositive: Do Health Professionals Know?

2023-04-14T14:14:41Z

Title: Exercise Impacts Positively on Bone Mineral Density in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seropositive: Do Health Professionals Know? Authors: Maduagwu, Stanley, M; Zizighi, Samuel; Mohammad, Usman A; Nwanne, Chiamaka, A; Ani, Kenneth; Ihigihu, Ebere, Y; Nwosu, Ifeoma B; Okonkwo, Arinze C; Umunnah, Joe O; Okonkwo, Uchenna P; Muonwe, Chidile S Abstract: Background Despite the concomitant negative effects of human immunodeficiency virus on bone mineral density in HIV-infected persons, studies on knowledge of effect of exercise on this health parameter in HIV population among health professionals seem unavailable. This study therefore examined knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV-infected persons among health professionals. Methods This cross sectional survey employed researcher designed, experts - validated questionnaire to enroll 434 respondents. The reliability coefficient “r” of the questionnaire was 0.75 with 92% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and analyze the data respectively. The alpha value was set at 0.05. Results Age range and mean age in years of the respondents were 21–59 and 35.88 ± 9.09 respectively; age group of 30–39 years predominated (45.3%). Males were in preponderance (52.4%), and most (74.4%) were married; while majority (54.7%) were nurses. Substantial proportion (54.2%) had less than good knowledge on the subject examined in this study. Significant difference (p < 0.05; p = 0.015) in knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV population existed among the professions. Post hoc showed that knowledge of the physicians (p = 0.001) and laboratory scientists (p = 0.029) was significantly higher than that of the nurses. Physiotherapists’ knowledge on this subject compared to that of other health professionals was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion -Knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV infected persons among health professionals was surprisingly below expectation, and therefore appalling Description: Preprint paper

Evaluation of Trunk Muscle Activities in Response to Four Common Infant Carrying Methods Utilized by African Women

2023-04-14T14:05:21Z

Title: Evaluation of Trunk Muscle Activities in Response to Four Common Infant Carrying Methods Utilized by African Women Authors: Ojukwu, Chidiebele, Petronilla; Ihegihu, Ebere, Yvonne; Ilo, Ijeoma, Judith Abstract: Infant carrying has been reported to be physically demanding with risks of physical challenges to mothers/caregivers. This makes it important to evaluate different Infant Carrying Methods (ICMs) to guide choices for the promotion of maternal health. This study evaluated the effects of four ICMs (A–back, B–front, C–side, and D-in-arms) on trunk muscular activities. Thirty women simulated four ICMs while the electrical activities of the right (Rt) and left (Lt) components of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) muscles were recorded simultaneously during the tasks. Within-subject comparisons of the muscle activities showed that only the front (p = 0.011) and side (p = 0.033) ICMs elicited significant differences with their highest activities recorded in the left and right EO muscles, respectively. Between-subject comparisons of the muscle activities showed a significant difference (p = 0.022) only in the right EO muscle, being most active during the side ICM. The side ICM was observed to elicit the highest activities in three of the four studied muscles. Side ICM has more potential for overexerting the trunk muscles, which could be a possible factor for muscular fatigue and resultant musculoskeletal impairments. Description: Scholarly Work

Preferred Learning Preferences of Nursing Students in Schools of Nursing in Anambra State

2023-04-14T13:27:28Z

Title: Preferred Learning Preferences of Nursing Students in Schools of Nursing in Anambra State Authors: Ochi, Jovita; Agbapuonwu, Noreen; Sibeudu, Florence Abstract: Learning preference is the way that different students learn. The learning preferences are relevant because students acquire and process information through different methods such as seeing, hearing, reading, touching. The study assessed the learning preferences of nursing students in Schools of Nursing in Anambra state; two research questions guided the study. Descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The participants were 342 students selected by Random Sampling Technique. Instrument used for online data collection was VARK questionnaire version 8.01 and the researcher’s demographic questionnaire. The participants filled the VARK questionnaire online based on their levels of study. Data was analyzed using VARK standard algorithm, SPSS package version 25. Descriptive statistics were presented in frequency tables and percentages. Findings showed that the students had a wide range of learning preferences that were both multi-modal (39.2%), and uni-modal (60.8%). The most preferred unimodal preference was Aural (32.2%) while multi-modal preference was bi-modal combination of Visual and Kineasthetic (VK) (54.5%). Assessment of the learning preferences of the students is thus, an input of great value in nursing education. The knowledge may help educators to plan teaching methods based on learning preferences; the use of varied teaching methods that address different learning preferences of the students would optimize learning and improve their academic performance. Description: Scholarly Work