Abstract: Background: low back pain (LBP) is an extremely common health Problem in Asian communities. It is a major cause of activity limitation. Aim of this study was to identify the association of vitamin D and modifiable risk factors of low back pain among female patients in the childbearing period. Subject and methods: It was a hospital based case-control approach done at rheumatology and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Arar hospital in Saudi Arabia during a period of 10 months from September 2010 to June 2011. The study population comprised Saudi female in the childbearing period (20-45years) (to exclude rickets in younger females and post menopausal osteoporosis in older ones). Cases were patients who had the complaints of chronic LBP (lasting more than three months) at the time of data collection. For each case, one control was selected from the same age group from patients with no LBP but attend the same units for other reasons. Data were collected with a semi-structured Check list and 174 participants were interviewed from which 87 had back pain (cases). Venous sampling 5 ml was done for both cases and control for serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, PTH and 25- hydroxy cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Results: Univariate analysis showed that low back pain was significantly associated with age of the patients, low physical activity, body mass index (BMI) >25kg/m, prolonged sitting, history of back trauma (p < 0.05). Logistic regression revealed BMI >25kg/m and hypovitaminosis D as an independent risk factors for low back pain. Conclusion: Low back pain among Saudi female was associated with BMI, physical activity, sitting posture and hypovitaminosis D. All these risk factors could be regarded as the indicators of low back pain, and some relevant preventive measures should be taken to reduce low back pain risk.Abstract: Background: low back pain (LBP) is an extremely common health Problem in Asian communities. It is a major cause of activity limitation. Aim of this study was to identify the association of vitamin D and modifiable risk factors of low back pain among female patients in the childbearing period. Subject and methods: It was a hospital based case-contro...Show More
Abstract: The prevalences of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria are currently close to those of the developed countries, but the uptake of clinical preventive services (CPS) has been very poor. This study assessed the willingness of respondents to pay (WTP) for a packaged CPS, delivered in one service point. The study was conducted among patients attending the general out-patient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, south-south Nigeria, using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and assessed the respondents’ attitude towards CPS and their WTP for the services, which was determined using the contingent valuation method. A total of 422 questionnaires were administered and analyzed. The respondents had an average age of 36.04 ±1.99 years; majority had at least secondary school education (90.05%), were Christians of Pentecostal denomination (50.95%), self employed (52.13%), with an monthly average income of more than $300 (56.64%). Most (89.57%) of the respondents were willing to pay for CPS; more than a quarter (25.93%) of them were willing to pay the prevailing cost of assessing the services, 33.84% were willing to pay less, while 34.28% were willing to pay more. The monthly income of the respondents significantly affected their willingness to pay for the services (p-value = 0.000).The respondents showed a willingness to pay for packaged CPS, the uptake of the services can therefore be improved, if the cost of the service is subsidized.Abstract: The prevalences of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria are currently close to those of the developed countries, but the uptake of clinical preventive services (CPS) has been very poor. This study assessed the willingness of respondents to pay (WTP) for a packaged CPS, delivered in one service point. The study was conducted among patients attending...Show More
Abstract: Background: Although there is a high awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention methods among youth, in Ethiopia, the problems are still rampant which indicates lack of comprehensive knowledge about its prevention methods among young peoples. Objectives: the main aim of this study was to assess comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge level and associated factors among out- of- school youths in Wayu Tuka district. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted. The data was collected using structured questionnaire from a total of 709 respondents selected systematically from 6 randomly selected kebeles of the district. Data was entered into EPI data version 3.02 and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to assess the association of the outcome variable and the explanatory variables. Variables with p-value of <0.05 at multivariable logistic regression were considered as statistically significant predictors of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge. Result: comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge in this study was 25%. Comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge was higher among those with secondary (AOR[95%CI]= 3.38[1.534,7.455] and above (AOR[95%CI]=3.47[1.342,8.967] educational levels, who live with friends/partners (AOR[95%CI]=1.58[1.046,2.399] or relatives/other person AOR [95%CI] =2.35[1.071,5.171], who use media as their major information source (AOR[95%CI]=2.17[1.027,4.562]) and who discussed about sexual matter with their parents (AOR[95%CI]= 2.36[1.531,3.643]). Conclusions: In this study, comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge was low. So, appropriate information education and communication programs needs to be intensified for out-of-school youths in the study area.Abstract: Background: Although there is a high awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention methods among youth, in Ethiopia, the problems are still rampant which indicates lack of comprehensive knowledge about its prevention methods among young peoples. Objectives: the main aim of this study was to assess comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge level and associated factors...Show More