Browsing by Author "Akpa, O. M."

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A random effect logistic regression model of major depressive disorder among ageing Nigerians
(Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2016) Idowu, O. P.; Yusuf, O. B.; Akpa, O. M.; Gureje, O.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a major public health problem in Nigeria and has severely devastating effects on the elderly. Previous studies on MDD among elderly Nigerians have utilized cross sectional designs which are descriptive in nature and have not investigated differences in setting and time-occurrence of MDD. Therefore this study employed a random effect logistic regression model to determine the relative effects/contributions of individual and environmental factors in the occurrence of MDD. A secondary analysis of a four-year longitudinal data from the Ibadan Study of Ageing was conducted. A total of 2,149 elderly Nigerians participated in the study between 2003 and 2009. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess MDD and consequently classified as “present” for scores ranging from 10 to 30 and “absent” for scores ranging from 0 to 9. A random effect logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors predicting MDD. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals, and Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC) for each random effect was estimated. The overall prevalence of MDD was 27.28%. Significant predictors of MDD included “no-contact with family members” (OR=2.9, 95%CI: 1.26-6.70), “no-contact with friends” (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.05-1.67)), non-participation in family activities (OR=2.07, 95%CI: 1.63-2.43), non-participation in community activities (OR=1.93, 95%CI: 1.54-2.43), and good quality of health (OR=0.25, 95%CI: 0.15-0.27). Disparities in the occurrence of MDD among the elderly were attributable to enumeration areas (6%) and the individuals (22%). Social isolation factors and self-reported quality of health are significant predictors of MDD among elderly Nigerians.
Analysis of trends and projections of the emergence, impact and the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria
(Nigerian Statistical Association, 2010) Akpa, O. M.; Oyejola, B. A.
The first case of AIDS was reported in Nigeria-(Lagos) in 1986. Since then, both the incidence and the prevalence of the epidemic has grown steadily, particularly during the military regimes. In this study, We used the UNAIDS softwares: Estimation and Projection Package-(EPP) and AIDS Impact Mode/-(AIM), to present models, trends analysis and projections/or the incidence a/HIVIAIDS in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. 0111' results show that the peak incidence 0/HIVIAIDS epidemics in the zones was during the Military rule in Nigeria. We also projected that by year 2010, the incidence are expected to be stable.
Application of structural equation modelling to public health concern on psychosocial functioning and quality of life of adolescents in Nigeria
(Andkolad Nigeria Limited, Ife, Nigeria, 2019) Akpa, O. M.; Fowobaje, K. R.; Olutola, O. M.
Structural equation modelling (SEM) is an efficient statistical method for the analysis and evaluation of complex research objectives involving relationships between observed and unobserved (latent) variables. Unfortunately, its application in Public Health research has been very limited in Nigeria. This paper documents basic theories, principles and application of SEM to research in Public Health with a focus on the psychosocial functioning and quality of life of adolescents in Nigeria. The cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents (n=983) in Benue state, Nigeria. The study presents a step-by-step approach to SEM and also describes variety of research questions that SEM can be used to answer in public health domain with empirical application of SEM on psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Results of the empirical application showed that poor psychosocial functioning negatively impacts the quality of life of adolescents in Nigeria. There is need to encourage researchers in public health to apply SEM in their research.
Awareness and Utilization of Affordable Medicine Facility-Malaria among Caregivers of Under-Five Children in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area, Oyo State
(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2013) Ajayi, I. O.; Soyannwo, T.; Akpa, O. M.
Distribution of Affordable Medicine Facility-malaria Artemisinin CombinationTherapies (AMFm-ACTs) started in Nigeria in 2011, but its use at community level has not been documented. Methods. Four hundred seventy-eight caregivers whose under-five children had fever within two weeks prior to the survey were selected using cluster sampling technique. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, treatment seeking for malaria, and awareness and use of AMFm-ACTs was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Result. More than half of the respondents (51.2%) bought AMFm-ACTs without prescription. Awareness of AMFm was low as only 9.1% has heard about the programme. Overall, 29.2% used AMFm-ACTs as their first line choice of antimalarial drug. On bivariate analysis age, group (25–34 years), public servants, respondents with tertiary education, respondents with high socioeconomic status, respondents with poor knowledge of symptoms of malaria, awareness of AMFm-ACTs, availability of AMFm-ACTs, and sources of drug were significantly associated with utilization of AMFm-ACTs (𝑃 < 0.05). Logistic regression demonstrated that only people who were aware of AMFM-ACTs predicted its use (AOR: 0.073; CI: 0.032–0.166; 𝑃 < 0.001). Conclusion. Interventions which targeted at raising awareness of AMFm-ACTs among people at risk of malaria are advocated for implementation.
Can common carotid intima media thickness serve as an indicator of both cardiovascular phenotype and risk among black Africans?
(Sage publications, 2014) Owolabi, M. O.; Agunloye, A. M.; Umeh, E. O.; Akpa, O. M.
Background: It is not known whether common carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) can serve as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk among black Africans. Therefore, we examined whether CIMT differed significantly among individuals with distinct cardiovascular phenotype and correlated significantly with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in a black African population Methods: CIMT was measured in 456 subjects with three distinct cardiovascular phenotypes – 175 consecutive Nigerian African stroke patients, 161 hypertensive patients without stroke and 120 normotensive non-smoking adults. For each pair of cardiovascular phenotypes, c-statistics were obtained for CIMT and traditional vascular risk factors (including age, gender, weight, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting plasma glucose, fasting total cholesterol). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to quantify bivariate relationships. Findings: Bilaterally, CIMT was significantly different among the three cardiovascular phenotypes (right: p < 0.001, F ¼ 33.8; left: p < 0.001, F ¼ 48.6). CIMT had a higher c-statistic for differentiating stroke versus normotension (c ¼ 0.78 right; 0.82 left, p < 0.001) and hypertension versus normotension (c ¼ 0.65 right; 0.71 left, p < 0.001) than several traditional vascular risk factors. Bilaterally, combining all subjects, CIMT was the only factor that correlated significantly (right: 0.12 r 0.41, 0.018 p < 0.0001; left: 0.18 r 0.41, 0.005 p < 0.0001) to all the traditional cardiovascular risk factors assessed. Conclusion: Our findings support CIMT as a significant indicator of both cardiovascular risk and phenotype among adult black Africans. However, specific thresholds need to be defined based on prospective studies.
Carotid IMT is more associated with stroke than risk calculators
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2015) Owolabi, M. O.; Akpa, O. M.; Agunloye, A. M.
Background – It is unclear whether a natural marker of atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness: CIMT) or calculated risk score is more associated with stroke. We therefore comparatively examined the relationship between CIMT as well as two cardiovascular risk calculators (Omnibus Risk Score -ORS and Framingham Risk Score- FRS) and the occurrence of stroke among hypertensive African patients. Methods – CIMT was measured in 555 consecutive consenting hypertensive adults (377 stroke patients and 178 strokefree subjects). The 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated for each participant with the FRS and ORS. The strengths of association between FRS, ORS, CIMT, and stroke occurrence were examined using logistic regression. The discriminative capacity of FRS, ORS, and CIMT for stroke occurrence was assessed with c-statistics. Results – Higher average CIMT (OR 11.71; 95% CI 1.65–83.07; P = 0.01) was strongly associated with stroke after adjusting for age, sex, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and blood sugar. Neither the FRS (OR: 1.03; CI: 0.89–1.19, P = 0.68) nor the ORS (OR: 1.08; CI: 0.90–1.30; P = 0.41) was significantly associated with stroke. CIMT had a higher c-statistic for differentiating stroke patients from hypertensive controls (right: c = 0.63, P < 0.001; left: c = 0.67, P < 0.001; average: c = 0.66, P < 0.001) than some conventional risk factors. Neither FRS (P = 0.39) nor ORS (P = 0.55) was able to independently differentiate between stroke and hypertensive patients. Conclusion – CIMT, but neither FRS nor ORS, is independently associated with stroke among Nigerian African hypertensive patients. CIMT may be a better tool for estimating the overall risk of stroke than FRS or ORS in this population.
Correlates of the quality of life of adolescents in families affected by HIV/AIDS in Benue State, Nigeria.
(Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2015) Akpa, O. M.; Bamgboye, E. A.
It was estimated that over 260,000 children are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) while close to 2 million are directly or indirectly affected by the disease in Nigeria. Improvements in treatments for infected children have been documented in the literature but there is gross knowledge gap on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the quality of life and psychosocial functioning (PSF) of affected children in Nigeria. We comparatively explored the association of quality of life with PSF and other factors among adolescents in families affected by HIV/AIDS (FAHA) and in families not affected by HIV/AIDS (FNAHA). Data were extracted for 960 adolescents from a State wide cross-sectional study in which participants were selected through multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using question naires consisting of demographic information, adapted World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF and the strength & difficulty questionnaire (SDQ). The quality of life scores were categorized into poor, moderate, and high based on the amount of standard deviation away from the mean while the SDQ scores were categorized into normal, borderline, and abnormal based on the SDQ scoring systems. The chi-square test and the independent t-test were used for bivariate analyses while the logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses at the 5% level of significance. The proportion with poor quality of life (27.0%) was significantly higher among adolescents in FAHA than in FNAHA (p = 0.0001). Adolescents in FAHA (OR:2.32; 95%CI: 1.67—4.09) were twice more likely to have poor quality of life than those in FNAHA. In FAHA, adolescents on the borderline of PSF (OR:2.19; 95%CI: 1.23-3.89) were twice more likely to have poor quality of life than those with normal PSF. Adolescents in FAHA have poor quality of life than those in FNAHA and also face additional burden of psychosocial dysfunctions. Interventions focusing on functional social support and economic empowerment will benefit adolescents in FAHA in the studied location.
Exploring factors associated with environmental menaces in a typical Nigerian city: challenges to sustainable development
(Centre for Environment and Population Activities (CEPA), 2012) Dipeolu, A. A.; Akpa, O. M.
Creating and maintaining a sustainable environment remain one of the most pressing issues in the world today. Human settlements are confronted with the challenges such as the fall out of climate change, natural disasters such as flooding, diseases outbreak resulting from improper waste disposal, poor environmental sanitation and various degrees of human and economic crises. Overtimes, however, activities of man coupled with some ecological factors have become a very critical threat to the achievement of a sustainable environment. In this study, we presented an elucidating analysis and reports of some factors associated with the prevailing environmental challenges in Mowe, Ogun state, Nigeria. The possible causes, effects and lasting solutions to these problems were also presented. Detailed statistical analysis of the interrelationships between variables of interest was also carried out. Our results show that, of the 200 participants in the study, 106(53.0%) uses their backyard or compound as dump hills while 42(21.0%) uses the community dumps hills. Also, 159(79.5%) of buildings have septic/soak away systems while 23(11.5%) of them use open gutter and 11(5.5%) of the buildings have no sewage disposal systems at all. Results of the Multiple Logistic Regression show those who have drainages around their houses were more likely to be those who use backyard/community dump hills for sewage disposal, while those who use open Gutter and those with no defined sewage disposal system were more likely (than those who use the methods of sewage disposal) to perceive neglect of their area by the government
HIV/AIDS and the long-distance truck drivers in south-west Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey on the knowledge, attitude, risk behaviour and beliefs of truckers
(Elsevier Ltd., 2010) Atilola, G. O.; Akpa, O. M.; Komolafe, I. O. O.
Objectives: According to the last HIV surveillance survey conducted in 2008, the overall National HIV prevalence in Nigeria stands at 4.6%. Recent studies and estimates by UNAIDS/WHO show higher prevalences in some selected states in Nigeria. The focus of this study is to determine the prevalence, risk behaviour, attitude and knowledge of HIV among long-distance heavy-truckers from a cross sectional survey conducted in the south-west Nigeria. Methods: Four major truck terminals (devoted to long-distance trips) in south western Nigeria were identified. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a total sample size of 451 truckers who consented to be interviewed. A questionnaire (in English, Hausa and Yoruba languages) for data collection on the socio-demographic, risk behaviour, attitude and knowledge of HIV from the truckers was also designed. The multiple logistic regressions analysis was used to assess the association between some selected variables and factors. Results: Only 164 (36.4%) participants out of the study population of 451 were tested for HIV (due to limited test facilities and consent) and the prevalence of HIV antibodies among the truckers was found to be 2.4% (4/164) with all the infected individuals being within 21—30 years of age. 309 (68.1%) of the respondents admitted that they were at risk of contracting HIV while a total of 249 (55.3%) admitted that they had more than one sexual partners. In addition, while 392 (86.9%) said it was important for them to know their HIV status, 88 (19.5%) said that they would commit suicide should they test positive for HIV.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and access to HIV treatments by people living with HIV/AIDS: A case study of selected states in North-West Nigeria
(Elsevier Urban & Partner, 2011) Akpa, O. M.; Adeolu-Olaiyaa, V.; Olusegun-Odebiri, C. A.; Aganaba, D.
Objectives: To study the prevalence of HIV-related stigma and the effect of stigma on HIV treatment adoption among PLWHA attending HIV treatment locations in some selected states in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (using structured questionnaires) among PLWHA in three selected states in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The multiple logistic regressions analysis was used to determine factors associated with HIV-related stigma and adoption of HIV treatment. Results: It was found that 71(21.3%), 88(26.3%) and 43(12.8%) of the participants were facing HIV-related stigma from their place of works, the public and their family members. Also, the results of the logistic regressions show that PLWHA who have no formal education and those with primary education were less likely to face stigma from the public (OR-0.212; 95% CI-0.064–0.702; p < 0.05) and their employers (OR-0.236; 95% CI-0.072–0.775; p < 0.05) respectively. Conclusion: Although majority of the participants claimed not to be facing any form of HIV-related stigma, the prevalence of HIV-related stigma observed (job related stigma – 21.3%, stigma from the public – 26.3% and stigma from family members-12.8%) among the participants in this study still calls for concern.
Knowledge and practice of pain management among nurses In labour wards in Ibadan, Nigeria
(2016-09) EZE-Ojerinde, O.; Onibokun, A.; Akpa, O. M.
Background: It is not clear whether awareness of pain management has influenced the management of labour pain by nurse/midwives in Ibadan, Nigeria. Many women in labour do not get optimal pain relief, despite awareness of the importance of pain management. Aims: This study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of labour pain management among nurse/midwives in Ibadan. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 87 nurse/midwives on duty in labour rooms of three hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, and Pearson's and Kendall's correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 at a 5% level of significance. Findings: Two thirds of respondents (66.7%) had a moderate level of knowledge, and 34.5% managed labour pain through back massage/psychotherapy. Knowledge of pain management was associated with level of education (τ = 0.82; P < 0.001) while good practice of pain management was associated with good knowledge (r = 0.49; P < 0.001). The association between good practice and years of working experience just failed to be statistically significant (P = 0.06). Conclusions: Nurse/midwives in Ibadan have moderate knowledge of labour pain management. Participants in this study primarily used back massage and psychotherapy. There is need for improvement in knowledge of labour pain management through continuing education for nurse/midwives in Ibadan
Knowledge and practice of pain management among nurses in labour wards in Ibadan, Nigeria
(MA Healthcare, 2016) Ojerinde, O. E.; Onibokun, A.; Akpa, O. M.
Background: It is not clear whether awareness of pain management has influenced the management of labour pain by nurse/midwives in Ibadan, Nigeria. Many women in labour do not get optimal pain relief, despite awareness of the importance of pain management. Aims: This study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of labour pain management among nurse/midwives in Ibadan. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 87 nurse/ midwives on duty in labour rooms of three hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and Kendall’s correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 at 5% level of significance. Findings: Two thirds of respondents (66.7%) had a moderate level of knowledge, and 34.5% managed labour pain through back massage/psychotherapy. Knowledge of pain management was associated with level of education (τ =0.82; P (τ =0.82; P<0.001) while good practice of pain management was associated with good knowledge (r =0.49; P<0.001). The association between good practice and years of working experience just failed to be statistically significant (P=0.06). Conclusions: Nurse/midwives in Ibadan have moderate knowledge of labour pain management. Participants in this study primarily used back massage and psychotherapy. There is need for improvement in knowledge of labour pain management through continuing education for nurse/midwives in Ibadan.
Management of conflicts arising from disclosure of HIV status among married women in Southwest Nigeria.
(Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, 2013) Okareh, O. T.; Akpa, O. M.; Okunlola, J. O.; Okoror, T. A.
This study examined if disclosure to their spouses by married women living with HIV/AIDS resulted in conflicts. Fifty-seven women completed a questionnaire on conflict indicators. While 93% disclosed their status within 6 months of diagnosis, 12.3% did so through a third party. More than thirty-six percent (36.8%) confirmed that disclosure led to conflict. Although 19.3% had their conflicts resolved through a third party, 10% suffered separation. Marital status and fear of stigma significantly influence time to disclose (p < .01 and p < .05), while type of marriage strongly influences whether status will be disclosed (p < .01). Programs for women with HIV should consider conflicts that may arise from disclosure.
Mathematical modeling of the epidemiology and the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS infections in Nigeria
(College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, 2010) Akpa, O. M.; Oyeloja, B. A.
Many of the already proposed models for the transmission of HIV/AIDS do not fit the situations in Nigeria. This is in part due to the fact that many of the models pay more attention to either homogeneity of sexual contact or population of homosexuals. Although some notable models have also been studied by different authors in times and places for heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS epidemics, none of these models addressed the peculiar transmission dynamics in Nigeria. In this study, we grouped the population into susceptible, infected and AIDS men and women with sexual contact as the major route for HIV transmission. Assuming a strong sexual network between the groups and with the AIDS group unable to contribute to infection, we formulated mathematical models for the heterosexual transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Our models incorporated parameters and variables that describe the nature and the strength of the transmission across the groups. We also presented model predictions on pattern of mixing between and Within the groups and how these in turn determine the global dynamics of the epidemics in Nigeria. Our simulation results show that, an increase in the transmission probability as well as in the number of sexual partnership poses more treat to the population than other parameters. The model predictions show that the epidemics tend to level up after year 2010. The number of sexual partners change per year and the probability of an effective contact are among the most critical variables in the HIV/AIDS epidemics in a community of heterosexual Nigerians. Our results agree with recent findings of similar models for some Sub-Saharan African countries. Also, results from the predictions based on the most recent National HIV Seroprevalence Surveillance Survey conducted in Nigeria agree with our findings.
Modeling HIV/AIDS epidemics in West Africa: Results for UNAIDS modeling approach from some selected countries
(Medwell Journals, 2007) Akpa, O. M.; AyeIola, B. A.
The Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) developed by UNAIDS reference group have been used with some notable success in some countries of the sub-Saharan (East and South) African Countries. In this present studies, we present results for five modeling methods applied to four countries in the West African Sub region. Using five modeling assumption with respect to 2 data situations and paying attention to the parameters determining the dynamics of HIV/AIDS epidemics, we employ Epp to model the prevalence of the epidemic in four West African countries. We used these estimates to further explain the underlying trend in the epidemic in each of the selected countries. For the unedited data, our results shows that in 2005 the default model yielded 17.69% (Urban: 4.72%, Rural: 28.82%) for Nigeria, 5.23% (Urban: 4.48%, Rural: 6.18%) for Ghana, 4.75% (Urban: 5.28%, Rural: 4.33%) for Cote d'Ivoire and 0.54% (Urban: 0.49%, Rural: 0.59%) for Senegal. The computed Log-Likelihood (LL) estimates for the default model are (Urban: 187.8809, Rural: 4, 948. 3913), (Urban: 181.5688, Rural: 664.9529), (Urban: 320.0272, Rural: 388.4773) and (Urban: 45.7742, Rural: 78.0798) for Nigerian, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, respectively.
Modeling the determinants of fertility among women of childbearing age in Nigeria: Analysis using generalized linear modeling approach
(Brooklyn Research and Publishing Institute (BRPI), 2012) Akpa, O. M.; Ikpotokin, O.
Apart from proximate determinants, certain sociodemographic factors have been reported to inform fertility in some developing nations but a comprehensive report for Nigeria is lacking in the literature. This study tested effects of some determinants of fertility on the level of fertility in Nigeria using data from the 2008 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). Data on 20,974 women were extracted from the 2008 NDHS data and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression. Women with no education and those with secondary school education had 1.36 times risk and 17% increases in fertility (respectively) over those with higher education. Rural women were 1.02 times more likely to be at risk of high fertility compared to women in urban areas. Fertility level in Nigeria is higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas while level of education of women negatively impacted on their risk of having high fertility.
Modeling the epidemiology and the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS in a heterosexual population: basic models and analysis of local stability
(Pushpa Publishing House, 2011) Akpa, O. M.; Oyeloja, B. A.
Heterosexual dynamical models for HIV transmission in Nigeria are studied with the population divided into Susceptible, Infectious and AIDS compartments each for the male and female subpopulations. We assume that the AIDS compartment does not participate in sexual activities that could further cause infections among the susceptibles. The disease free and the endemic equilibria of the systems are studied analytically. The asymptotic behaviour of the endemic conditions of the systems is studied numerically. It is observed that both the disease free and the endemic equilibria for the systems are Locally Asymptotically Stable (LAS). Given uniform parameters (except for the global parameters), infections among females are observed to be relatively higher than infections among males.
Modeling the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS epidemics: an introduction and a review
(Open Learning, 2010) Akpa, O. M.; Oyejola, B. A.
Introduction: One of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality in the Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among young adults, is HIV/AIDS. Many mathematical models have been suggested for describing the epidemiology as well as the epidemiological consequences of the epidemic. A review of some these models would aid researchers in applying them to better understand and control the incidence and distribution of the disease in their countries. Methodology: This study reviews some of the models proposed by various authors for describing the epidemiology as well as the epidemiological consequences of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how some of them could be modified to suit the situations in other countries. We also discuss the limitations and the place of such models in the fight against the HIV epidemic. Results: A clear explanation of the premises and assumptions on which the models were based was reached by reviewing the models across different scenarios. Conclusion: Mathematical models have been very useful in HIV research, particularly for empirical studies on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These models make predictions that generate questions of social and ethical interest.
Multilevel analysis of psychosocial functioning of Adolescents in families affected by HIV/AIDS in Benue state, Nigeria
(Biomedical Communications Group, 2018) Akpa, O. M.
Methods The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study is a multicentre, case-control study done at 15 sites in Nigeria and Ghana. Cases were adults (aged ≥18 years) with stroke confirmed by CT or MRI. Controls were age-matched and gender-matched stroke-free adults (aged ≥18 years) recruited from the communities in catchment areas of cases. Comprehensive assessment for vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors was done using standard instruments. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and population attributable risks (PARs) with 95% CIs.
Noise Levels from selected religious centres and perceived non-auditory health effects experienced by residents in Owo Town, Ondo State, Nigeria
(Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science., 2015) Oluwatoyin O. M.; Ana, G.R.E.E.; Akpa, O. M.
In recent times urban noise pollution has grown in magnitude and scope causing palpable effects on public life. Whereas studies have shown the pattern of noise pollution from traffic and industrial sources, little is known about noise from religious settings. We determined the noise levels and then assessed its non-auditory effects on residents. Twelve religious centers: Islamic worship centres (IWC) and Christian worship centres (CWC) were purposively selected based on potential noise generation capacities. Noise level measurements from the religious centers were taken at three timesofthe day (5-8am, l lam-2pmand5-8pm) using AEMC sound meter for 8 consecutive weeks. Values obtained were compared with WHO guidelines limit. Information on perceived non-auditory health problems was obtained with an interviewer semi-structured questionnaire from consenting residents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and T-test at 5% level of significance. The highest mean noise level 83.6±7.5dB was recorded between 5-8am at IWC. Mean noise levels (69. l±9.2dB) at the 12 religious centers were above WHO guideline limits for noise exposure (55dB) in residential environments. Most of the participants (42.8%) had sleep disturbance and 28.1% were highly annoyed as a result of religious noise. Other non-auditory health problems were loss of concentration (17.5%), speech interference (12.8%) and aggressiveness (12.5%). Residents living contiguous to religious houses are highly vulnerable to non-auditory health effects due to their exposure to excessive noise. Health education to the religious bodies on the adverse effects of excessive noise in the residential environment is advocated.