Cigarette Smoking Practices and Its Determinants Among University Students in Southwest, Nigeria

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the largest causes of preventable morbidity and mortality globally, and is responsible for many causes of premature deaths. This study seeks to find out cigarette-smoking practices among University Students in Ekiti State, Nigeria and identify its determinants. Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of young adults in tertiary institutions. The sample size was 300 while multi stage sampling technique was adopted to select the students that were interviewed. The pre-tested questionnaire was semi structured and it was self administered. Data analysis was done using Epi-Info version 3.4.1. Frequency tables and cross-tabulations were generated with a statistical significance p-value pre-determined at less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of students that ever smoked was 66 (22.0%) while those that currently smoke are 41 (13.7%). Of the students that smoked, largest proportion (53.0%) smoked for pleasure. The mean age at onset of smoking was 15.14 + 4.34 while the mean number of sticks smoked per day was 4.46 + 4.59. Introduction to smoking was mainly by friends at home (48.6%), colleagues in school (33.3%) and siblings (18.1%) The factors that were positively associated with smoking habits were male sex, alcohol consumption, having a friend/relative that smokes, having no prior education on the dangers of smoking. They were all statistically significant. Conclusion: Peer influence is a very important source of cigarette smoking among the youths. Previous education on dangers of smoking and the perception that smoking is risky to health significantly reduced the prevalence of smoking. It is therefore recommended that health education on the risks associated with smoking be introduced to young adults early

Geo-behavioural predictors of diagnosed hypertension in Igbo Ora Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

\ua9 The Author(s) 2025.Diagnosed hypertension stands out as a prominent global cause of mortality, prompting recent efforts to understand not only treatment options but also determinants across diverse age and occupational groups. However, the literature on the impact of environmental factors on diagnosed hypertension is limited, especially in rural areas with restricted access to health infrastructure. Geographical determinants research has often focused on spatial variations across different units, potentially masking individual environmental contributions. Data on diagnosed hypertension patients and their behaviours were gathered during the ARISE project, complemented by geographical data (elevation, vegetation, road network, population density, and nighttime light exposure) from secondary sources. Spatial patterns were analyzed using the Nearest Neighbour Statistic, Ripley K Function, and Kernel Density Estimation, while Binomial logistic regression identified predictors. Diagnosed hypertension patients exhibit spatial clustering, and are mainly comprised of elderly individuals, residing closer to roads, at higher elevations, in areas with higher population distribution, and with little or no green vegetation. Socio-economic, health-related, behavioural, and environmental factors collectively drive diagnosed hypertension. Spatial clustering of diagnosed hypertension in the Igbo Ora community is localized, indicating potential spatial factors influencing its prevalence. Beyond identified behavioural and medical history factors, geographical elements like nighttime light exposure and normalized vegetation index contribute to the observed clustering. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for targeted interventions in the community

Geo-demographic and socioeconomic determinants of diagnosed hypertension among urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria: a community-based study

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. Background: The relationship between diagnosed high blood pressure (HBP) and proximity to health facilities and noise sources is poorly understood. We investigated the associations between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP at different distance corridors of noise-generating sources (churches, mosques, bus stops, and road networks), and blood pressure monitoring outlets (healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical shops) in Ibadan, Nigeria. In addition, we investigated the likelihood of being diagnosed with HBP using distance from noise-generating sources, distance to blood pressure monitoring outlets, socio-demographic and clinical status of the participants. Methods: We investigated 13,531 adults from the African Rigorous Innovative Stroke Epidemiological Surveillance (ARISES) study in Ibadan. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the locations of healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical shops, bus stops, churches, and mosques were buffered at 100 m intervals, and coordinates of persons diagnosed with HBP were overlaid on the buffered features. The number of persons with diagnosed HBP living at every 100 m interval was estimated. Gender, occupation, marital status, educational status, type of housing, age, and income were used as predictor variables. Analysis was conducted using Spearman rank correlation and binary logistic regression at p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP and distance from pharmaceutical shops (r=-0.818), churches (r=-0.818), mosques (r=-0.893) and major roads (r= -0.667). The odds of HBP were higher among the unemployed (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.24), currently married (AOR = 1.45, CI: 1.11–1.89), and previously married (1.75, CI: 1.29–2.38). The odds of diagnosed HBP increased with educational level and age group. Conclusion: Proximity to noise sources, being unemployed and educational level were associated with diagnosed HBP. Reduction in noise generation, transmission, and exposure could reduce the burden of hypertension in urban settings

The chemical composition of Sterculia setigera

Samples of Sterculia setigera seeds were analysed for proximate composition, elemental and amino acid composition. The nutritive value of the seed was extrapolated by comparing its oil, protein crude fibre, ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents with other known edible seeds. Comparison of the results with the recommended nutrient requirements showed that the seed is adequate in its protein content. Quantitative chromatographic analysis of the seed hydrolysates revealed 18 amino acids. Comparing the amino acids of kukkuki with hens egg, showed a higher superiority in alanine, arginine, aspartic, cystine and histidine but a deficiency in isoleucine and leucine. Keywords: proximate composition, nutritive value, hen’s egg, amino acid

Skinfold Parameter as Predictor of Body Density for Undergraduate Female Students in a Nigeria University Community

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if some selected skinfold parameters are visible in predicting body density (BD) of undergraduate female students of Obafemi Awolowo University, lie Ife. Methods: Seventy five non- athletic female students, age ranged from 18 to 30 years old from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) lie Ife, Nigeria participated in the study. Underwater weight was measured using Hydrostatic Weighing (HSW) equipment and skinfold was measured with Lange skinfold calipers using standard protocol at chest, biceps, triceps, forearm, mid axillar, subscapular, abdomen, supra illiac, thigh and lateral calf. Body density (BD) was calculated with underwater weight and skinfold measurement using some established equations. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Moment Correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data collected. Results: The result showed that BD by HSW had significant negative correlation with skinfold at chest (r = - .505, p < .001), biceps (r = -. 302, p < .05), midaxillar, (r = - .328, p < .05), thigh (r = -.353, p < .05), abdomen (r =- .290, p < .05) and suprailliac (r = -, 371, p< .001). Conclusion: The study concluded that the equation derived from the study is appropriate to determine the BD of Nigerian women. KeyWords: Body density; Skinfold thickness; Hydrostatic and underwater weighing; predictive equations; Nigeri

Physical activity levels of senior secondary school students in Ibadan, Western Nigeria

Background: Inactivity and low levels of physical activity are predisposing factors to many chronic diseases such as heart disease which are showing an increase in prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa generally and Nigeria in particular. Physical activity levels have been found to be decreasing among young people in many countries around the world resulting in a state where young people are not found to be sufficiently active in order to safeguard their present and future health and well-being. Objective: This study was designed to assess the physical activity levels of students in governmentowned senior secondary schools located in the South-east Municipality, Ibadan, Western Nigeria, and its association with their physical characteristics and level of study. Subjects and Method: Multi-stage sampling was used to select participants from senior secondary schools. A modified version of the self-reported physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQA) validated for Nigerian adolescents was used for data collection. One thousand and two questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. The questionnaire was designed to collect the respondents’ demographic data and assess their physical activity levels. One thousand (1000) questionnaires were completed. Two of the 1002 questionnaires were not properly completed and were therefore discarded. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and cumulative percentage. A table was used to present the results. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between physical activity levels and the physical characteristics of the participants. Independent t-test was used to determine the difference in the physical activity levels of the participants. Results: The results indicated that 38% of the participants engaged in low activity levels, 58.8% in moderate activity levels and 3.2% in high activity levels. Furthermore, physical activity levels (PAL) had significant positive associations with the physical characteristics of the participants and males appeared to be significantly more active than females. Conclusion: Adolescents are not involved in adequate physical activities that could safeguard their present and future health and well-being. Therefore, it is recommended that there should be educational programmes in place which emphasize the benefits of exercise, primordial prevention of future chronic and cardiovascular diseases and also the incorporation of physical education in the secondary school curriculum