Psychological factors like kinesiophobia and self-efficacy have been shown to be associated with pain and disability perception in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The association among extent of kinesiophobia, self efficacy, pain intensity and disability in patients presenting with NSLBP and the predictor of disability among pain intensity, self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in these patients were investigated in this study. The research design was an analytical cross sectional survey involving 275 consecutively selected individuals diagnosed with NSLBP at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria. The main outcome measures used were: Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ) and Self-Efficacy in Rehabilitation Scale (SER). The mean age of the participants was 51.62±13.4 years. The extent of kinesiophobia and measure of selfefficacy were high and above average as seen in 71.7% and 94.3% of the participants respectively. The mean scores on TSK, RODQ, SER and pain intensity were 39.45±5.91, 36.98±15.97, 98.68±21.4 and 7.35±1.94 respectively. Participants with high scores on TSK had significantly high scores on RODQ and low scores on SER. There was a significant positive association between extent of kinesiophobia, disability and selfefficacy (p<0.05). Self-efficacy, pain intensity and kinesiophobia significantly predicted extent of disability (p<0.05). Patients with NSLBP exhibited fear of re-injury (kinesiophobia). Patients with high level of kinesiophobia had increased pain intensity and reduced self-efficacy. High levels of kinesiophobia accompanied by increased pain intensity and decreased self-efficacy were significant predictors of pain related disability in patients with NSLBP. Keywords: Non-specific low back pain, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, perceived disability
Sensitivity and responsiveness to change are important psychometric properties of outcome measures, especially in evaluating therapeutic effectiveness (Dromeric and Redeng, 2003). The consequences of an outcome measure that lacks responsiveness are the same as a diagnostic test that has poor sensitivity or specificity (Scrimshaw and Maher, 2001). The ability of an instrument to be sensitive to within patient change is very important in clinical trials especially in a disease like stroke where the impact is often life-long and multi-dimensional (Poissant et al, 2003). The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the responsiveness of the Ibadan Stroke-Specific Pain Scale (IbSSPS) in evaluating post-stroke pain. Fifty-six patients with first-incidence stroke experiencing post-stroke pain were assessed for pain. Sensitivity to change was assessed by analysing changes in the IbSSPS scores before and after six weeks of physiotherapy with the Wilcoxon-sign rank test. Standardized effect size (SES) and standardized response mean (SRM) were used to assess responsiveness. The overall IbSSPS and its four domains were sensitive to change after 6 weeks of physiotherapy. It was therefore concluded that the IbSSPS is a sensitive and responsive scale that can be used to evaluate pain in stroke survivors. Keywords: Post-stroke pain, Stroke-specific Pain Scale, sensitivity, responsiveness
The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) developed in English language for assessment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) may be misinterpreted among Yoruba-speaking patients. This study translated the reduced WOMAC into Yoruba and validated the translated copy with the original one. Sixty radiographically-confirmed knee osteoarthritic subjects in the south-west of Nigeria participated in this study. The original English version of the WOMAC was translated into Yoruba language (used as Yoruba version) by two linguists from the Department of Linguistic and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The Yoruba version was retranslated into English by the English Department of the same university to ensure accuracy. The original and retranslated questionnaires were administered to each subject at 3 days interval. After two weeks the retranslated questionnaire was administered to each subject. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.The results of validation showed that there were positive significant relationships between the scores for the original WOMAC and retranslated WOMAC in all the domains (pain; r=0.996, p<0.001, stiffness; r=0.971, p<0.001, difficulty r=0.980, p<0.001). The test retest reliability also showed a positive significant relationship (pain; r=0.996, p<0.001, stiffness; r=0.990, p<0.001, difficulty r=0.992, p<0.001) between the scores for the retranslated WOMAC at first administration and the scores when re-administered after 2 weeks in all the domains.It can be concluded from the study that the Yoruba version of the reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index is reliable and valid as an outcome measure for assessing patients with knee osteoarthritis.Keywords: WOMAC, knee osteoarthritis, pain, stiffness and difficulty
Clubfoot, also known as congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), is a congenital deformity involving one foot or both. It is a relatively common birth defect occurring in about one in every 1,000 live births. No study has been carried out to determine if there is delay in gross motor milestones in children with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method in this part of the world. This study was conducted to investigate this.In this prospective study, 48 children with idiopathic clubfoot who were compliant with the foot abduction brace were enrolled. Parents were interviewed repeatedly to obtain the ages of achievement of 8 motor milestones and the data was stored and analysed using SPSS version 17.Forty-eight children with mean age of 1.2 months as at first casting and a male: female ratio of 3.8:1 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the eight milestones studied, the mean age of achievement of one of them was significantly greater (P<0.05) compared with normative data. Pre-ambulatory and crawling milestones showed no significant difference, but independent ambulation was achieved up to 2 months later.Although there were significant delays in upright ambulation in children with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method, they all walked.These findings should enable clinicians alleviate the concerns and fears of the parents of children with idiopathic clubfoot and assure them of a positive prognosis regarding developmental milestone achievement in spite of delays.Keywords: Congenital talipes equinovarus, idiopathic clubfoot, Ponseti method, developmental milestones
This study investigated the distribution of the three McKenzie syndromes and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) among participants with pregnancy-related back pain (BP) attending some selected medical facilities. The aim was to determine if pregnancy-related BP can be classified into the three McKenzie syndromes and also to find out the distribution pattern of PGP among the participants. Participants were recruited into the study consecutively and were assessed using the McKenzie assessment protocol and pelvic girdle pain provocative tests. Participants with low back pain (LBP) or high back pain (HBP) were classified into the three McKenzie syndromes and those with PGP were classified according to their pain site. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. The participants with HBP had the lowest mean age (26.2 ±5.6 years). There was a significant difference in the mean age of the participants across the three BP groups (F = 3.9525; p = 0.0199). Among the participants with LBP, derangement syndrome constituted 95.7% and postural syndrome 4.3%. All the participants with HBP had derangement syndrome. Bilateral pain was present in 62% of the participants with PGP. Derangement syndrome was predominant among participants with LBP and HBP while bilateral pain presentation is prevalent among the participants with PGP. It is recommended that the McKenzie approach should be promoted and used in the physical assessment of women with pregnancy-related back pain. Keywords: McKenzie syndromes, pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy-related back pain
Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability affecting millions of people around the world. This study investigated the prevalence and pattern of MSP among Nigerian undergraduates. A cross-sectional survey of undergraduates from three purposively selected halls of residence of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted over a period of 10 weeks using a standardized Nordic questionnaire and a pre-tested questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Of the 600 questionnaires administered 532 (88.67%) were fully completed and found admissible for analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 23.4±2.34 years (range 17-34)]. Lifetime and point prevalence of MSP was 54.5% and 51.7% respectively. Lifetime occurrence of MSP was highest in the low back (55.1%) followed by the neck (53.8%). Duration of pain resulting from MSP was 1-7 days and it prevented normal daily activities in 20.7% of respondents. There was a significant association between lifetime prevalence of MSP and each of age group (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.046), lecture duration (0.001), and extracurricular activity (p = 0.001). Self-medication (55.6%) was the most common health practice for MSP. Musculoskeletal pain is a common disorder among Nigerian undergraduates. The low back and the neck were the most affected. MSP was perceived to be caused by prolonged poor postures assumed during lectures, and it predisposes to limitation of daily activities. Preventive strategies to reduce MSP among Nigerian undergraduates are necessary. Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, university undergraduates, prevalence, pattern, Nigeria
The incidence rate of breast cancer (BC) continues to rise as the survival rate is still poor in economically developing countries. Therapeutic approaches to improve cardiopulmonary functions and the survival rate of BC survivors are pressing concerns. This study investigated the effects of progressive aerobic exercise on the cardiopulmonary parameters of female BC survivors.Fifty-eight BC survivors with stage I, II and III breast cancer, referred from the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, participated in the study and 48 of them completed it. The participants were randomly assigned to groups A and B and each group was further subdivided into subgroups 1 (premenopausal women) and 2 (postmenopausal women) based on their menopausal status. Group A underwent aerobic exercise using the treadmill and also had educational and counselling sessions while Group B had only educational and counselling sessions. Selected cardiopulmonary parameters were measured at baseline, 3rd ,6th , 9th and 12th weeks of intervention.Significant improvements were observed in the cardiovascular variables of Groups A (1&2) (Resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP) (A1 :p = 0.00*; A2 : p = 0.01*), Resting diastolic blood pressure (RDBP) (A1 : p = 0.03*; A2 : p = 0.01*), Resting rate pressure product (RRPP) (A 1: p = 0.01*; A2 : p = 0.00*). With the exception of SaO2 (p = 0.05*) of Group A2, changes in the pulmonary variables of Groups A(1&2) were not significant. No significant. differences were observed in the cardiovascular and pulmonary variables of Groups B(1&2).Aerobic exercise brought about significant therapeutic effects on selected cardiovascular parameters in female BC survivors.Keywords: Aerobic exercise, cardiopulmonary, breast cancer
Effective control of non-communicable diseases and promotion of population-wide physical activity participation require the active engagement of health professionals. Physiotherapists and physicians, as part of their practice, routinely screen and assess physical activity status, and recommend health enhancing physical activity participation for their patients. This study aims to compare Nigerian physiotherapists and physicians’ knowledge of physical activity message, role perception and confidence, perceived feasibility and barriers, and overall disposition to promoting physical activity in their practice.
Disability prevalence data are important to improve efforts to remove or minimize disabling barriers and provide services to allow people with disabilities to take part in community life. There is however a lack of reliable data on disability in the districts of Rwanda.This study aims to describe the profile of disability in terms of prevalence, age, gender distribution as well as activity limitation in Rwanda.A door-to-door survey was conducted in all the households in villages from three districts selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Identified persons were assessed for activity limitations using instruments developed from domains in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Data were analysed descriptively and presented by district, age, gender, and activity limitation.Disability prevalence rates of 10.1% (Ruhango), 9.1% (Kayonza), and 6.0% (Nyagatare) were obtained. An overall average prevalence of disability in the three districts was 8.3%. The prevalence of disability was higher in adults than in children in all the three districts with Ruhango having 13.6% vs 7.0%; Kayonza,12.4% vs 6.4%; and Nyagatare, 8.9% vs 2.8%. The main activity limitations experienced by children with disability were sitting, seeing, and crawling, while adults with disabilities had difficulties mainly in seeing and walking.Persons identified with disability in this study from three districts in Rwanda have various activity limitations. The findings provide a useful resource for planning rehabilitation services and to direct future enquiry into the epidemiology of disability in other districts of Rwanda.Keywords: disability, prevalence, ICF, Rwanda
Asthma is a multi-factorial disease associated with genetic, allergic, environmental, infectious, emotional, and nutritional issues. Globally, asthma affects about 300 million people and about 250,000 people die from it every year. These deaths are related to lack of proper treatment. Treatment involves controlling trigger factors, drug therapy, and other non-pharmacological methods. Although a few studies have evaluated the effects of exercises on asthma control, there is the need for well-designed outcome studies that will differentiate efficacious exercise management for asthma from those that hold little therapeutic value. This study compared the effects of aerobic and resisted exercises on selected cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with asthma.Forty-five patients with asthma were recruited from the Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos and were randomly assigned to 3 different groups. Group A underwent aerobic exercise and counselling sessions; Group B, resisted exercise and counselling sessions; and Group C had counselling sessions only. Groups A and B had exercise intervention that lasted 10-15 minutes, twice weekly for 6 weeks. Cardiopulmonary parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of 6 weeks.Only Group B showed significant improvements in all the cardiovascular variables (SBP: p=0.01, DBP: p=0.03, HR: p=0.02 and RPP: p=0.01). There were also significant improvements in most of the pulmonary 1 1 variables of Group A (RR: p=0.01, FEV : p=0.01, FVC: p=0.01 and FEV %: p=0.02), however, there was none in Groups B and C. Comparison of the mean changes in selected variables between the two therapeutic exercise 1 groups showed significant differences in SBP (p=0.01), DBP (p=0.04), RPP (p=0.02), RR (p=0.01), FEV 1 (p=0.01), FVC (p=0.05), FEV % (p=0.01) and IC (p=0.05).Aerobic exercise was more effective in improving pulmonary parameters while resisted exercise was more effective in improving cardiovascular parameters in patients with asthma.Keywords: aerobic exercise, asthma, cardiopulmonary, resisted exercise
This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge of physiotherapy among managers of amateur soccer teams in preventing and treating soccer injuries.A total of 32 amateur soccer team managers from Kano State, Nigeria were purposively recruited to participate in this study. Thereafter, a questionnaire seeking information on physiotherapy was administered. Data retrieved from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages.The results of the study revealed that the average age of the participants was 47±8 years. The results also indicated that the majority (94%) of the participants were male, and 63% had post-secondary school qualifications. Working experience was generally low, mostly between one and two years. All the participants demonstrated good knowledge of the role of physiotherapy in preventing injuries (warm up and cool down exercises), as well as the means (use of exercise therapy and massage), indications (sprains, strains and back pain) and the modalities (ice sprays, exercise modalities and bandages). The major areas where lack of knowledge was evident were in the use of strapping (43.7%), the role of physiotherapy in health education (43.7%), and the use of electrical currents in physiotherapy (68.7%). The overall results showed that the average knowledge of the participants regarding the role of physiotherapy in preventing and treating soccer injuries was high (86.5%).It was concluded that a significant proportion of the managers of amateur soccer teams in Kano State have good knowledge of the use of physiotherapy in preventing and treating soccer injuries.Keywords: team managers, amateur soccer, knowledge, physical therapy
A number of complexities surround the health and well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes.These difficulties relate to self-care efforts and outcomes, and several other factors play regulatory functions.This study was carried out to investigate the inter-relationship among physical activity, quality of life, and clinical and sociodemographic factors in a group of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes.The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of two major healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and quality of life was assessed using the Diabetes Quality of Life Brief Clinical Inventory.Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were also documented.A total of 227 patients with type 2 diabetes with a mean age of 55.83 ± 13.76 years took part in the study.A total of 156 (68.7%) of the participants, had low level of physical activity, while 81 (35.7%) reported quality of life scores below the intermediate score and hypertension was the mo 63 (27.8%) of the participants.Being 50 years and older (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.21-3.67)increased the odds of having lower quality of life, while physical activity of moderate-to-high intensity reduced the odds (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.8).A substantial proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes had below intermediate level quality of life, and most of them were physically inactive.Lower quality of life was also linked with sociodemographic and clinical variables but patients with moderate-to-high physical activity were likely to reduce by half the risk of poor quality of life.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a major cause of childhood disability. The objective of this study was to investigate the causes, types, severity, history of pregnancy, delivery, maternal care, demographic and clinical characteristics of children with CP and their parents as seen in outpatient physiotherapy clinics of the selected hospitals in Southwest Nigeria.A cross-sectional survey of children with CP and their parents was conducted in twelve hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. Information about the participants was obtained from hospital case records, physical examination and interviews. Data were summarized using descriptive and Chi-square tests with Alpha level put at 0. 05.Two hundred and thirteen children with CP were seen, aged 18 months to 12 years, and most of them were male (59.2%). The majority (41.0%) of the mothers were in the age range of 28 to 33 years. Jaundice (39.9%), asphyxia (26.8%) and infection (17.4%) were the leading causes of CP and spastic CP was the most common type (81.7%). Quadriplegic CP presentation was predominant (67.1%), and leading co-morbidities were mental retardation (31%) and speech impairment (26.3%). About 50% of the children severely affected by CP fell within Levels 4 and 5 of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) of CP severity.It was concluded that cerebral palsy in Southwest Nigeria is mainly associated with jaundice, asphyxia and infections. Spastic cerebral palsy was most common and quadriplegic affectation was predominant. It is recommended that factors promoting perinatal problems should be curtailed.Keywords: cerebral palsy, jaundice, asphyxia, infections, childhood disabilities
Patients with chronic low back pain have lower quality of life compared to patients with other chronic diseases and the general population. This study was designed to assess the effect of stabilization exercises on the quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).A total of 23 patients with NSCLBP, aged 27-65 years, participated in this study. They were recruited from the Orthopaedic Clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria. They were put through core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks and assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO QoL) questionnaire and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) at baseline and at four weeks post-treatment intervention. Ethical approval was sought and obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of LUTH. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.Patients recorded significant reduction in pain severity following intervention (p= 0.01). There was also significant improvement in the quality of life domains (psychological health and social relationship) (p=0.01) post intervention, and only age correlated directly with social relationship of the quality of life domain (r=0.59, p=0.01).This study concluded that stabilization exercises reduced pain and improved the psychological health as well as social relationship domains of the quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain.Keywords: stabilization, quality of life, non-specific low back pain
Prisoners are a special population group who have limited freedom and are subjected to restrictions. They may not be able to enjoy health enhancing leisure and recreational activities or exercise of their choice or at a time they desire.The aim of this study is to determine the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison; and also to determine the effects of age, gender, and period of incarceration on CRF. A total of 247 apparently healthy inmates of Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison participated in the 2 study. The subjects performed a one-mile walk test from which their VO max was derived using a nomogram.The results show that the prison inmates appear to have a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness. The male inmates were found to have higher cardiorespiratory fitness than their female counterparts, but no significant relationship was found between CRF and period of incarceration, or between CRF and the age of the inmates.The cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of the prison inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison is good. Further investigation of the influence of other potential variables of physical activity such as vocational facilities and sporting opportunities on the CRF of prison inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison is necessary.Keywords: prison inmates, incarceration, cardiorespiratory fitness, vocational training
Functional and musculoskeletal problems are a major cause of disability among the elderly in the rural areas. Unfortunately, rehabilitation services are presently inadequate for this population in many parts of the world. This study evaluated the pattern of musculoskeletal disorders, functional status and barriers to obtaining physiotherapy services among the elderly in a rural community in Kano, Nigeria.This cross sectional survey was carried out using a Hausa translated version of the modified Older American Resource and Services (OARS) multidimensional functional assessment questionnaire and other instruments to assess the pattern of functional and musculoskeletal problems and barriers to obtaining physiotherapy services. The questionnaires were administered to 384 elderly consenting individuals (aged 60 years and above) who were recruited using cluster sampling. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 16.0.The results from this study revealed that the majority of the participants were females (59.9%). The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was significant (47%), mostly affecting the lower extremity joints and the spine. Generally, the participants were mostly independent in carrying out activities of daily living (ADL), such as feeding (92.5%), grooming (85.7%), money management (84.9%) and management of medication (83.9%). The results also showed that a few of the participants were dependent in bathing (10.2%), walking (9.9%) and dressing (9.9%). Furthermore, the majority (61.9%) of the participants who reported musculoskeletal problems had good ADL performance capacity rating. Almost all the participants (98%) reported that they have never heard of physiotherapy. Lastly, those with musculoskeletal problems reported that they mainly utilized traditional medicine or home remedies and their health-seeking behaviour was mainly determined by affordability (41.8%).It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among the participants of this study. Nevertheless, their level of function remained optimal. The study also identified lack of awareness, unavailability, affordability and accessibility as the major barriers to obtaining physiotherapy services among the participants.Keywords: elderly, musculoskeletal disorders, knowledge, disability, rural community, physiotherapy
Psychosocial stress is a disabling condition and is common among people with diabetes mellitus in view of the complexity of the disorder.It is however not clear if the psychosocial stress has any link with habitual physical activity, which is an important component in the care of people with diabetes.This study was conducted to investigate the likely connection between habitual physical activity and psychosocial stress among people with type 2 diabetes.A total of 193 adults with type 2 diabetes took part in this study.Psychosocial stress was assessed using the Revised Questionnaire on Stress in patients with Diabetes (QSD-R) while physical activity was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire.Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < .05.The mean age of the participants was 58.76 ± 14.27 years with mean duration of diagnosis being 6.41 ± 4. 51 years.W ith a mean score of 2.8, work activity was the main source of physical activity for the patients with the least activity index of 1.2 coming from sports participation.Hypoglycaemia and self-medication/diet were the most important sources of stress to the patients and the overall psychosocial stress was related to habitual physical activity (r = -.73,p = .002).Significantly, patients with higher physical activity index presented with lower psychosocial stress.Apart from the well-known improvement in glycaemic control, type 2 diabetes patients that participate more in physical activity may be able to reduce their psychosocial stress.
This study examined active commuting among secondary school students and the factors that constitute barriers or facilitators. It also assessed whether links exist with sociodemographic characteristics. A selfdesigned questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional survey to obtain data on the commuting patterns, attitudes and sociodemographic characteristics of 926 students in Ibadan, Nigeria. Although 52.7% of the students lived within 1 to 3 km of their school, only 19.8% (183) were active commuters. More than 69% of the students preferred to remain passive commuters at the expense of good health. Proximity to school was the most reported (94.5%) facilitator of active commuting and parental restraint against walking to school was reported by 60.8% of the passive commuters. Commuting habits were significantly (p<0.05) associated with sociodemographic characteristics. The students were predominantly passive commuters and their commuting pattern was linked to sociodemographic characteristics while barriers and facilitators of active commuting included family, societal, environmental and school factors. KEYWORDS : adolescents health, attitudes, physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics, transport to school
The transition from youth to adulthood has been reported to be a high risk period for developing sedentary habits, which could lead to reduced cardiorespiratory fitness. There is a dearth of published studies on thecardiorespiratory fitness profile of college students in this environment. This study therefore examined the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) profile of undergraduate biomedical students of the University of Jos, Nigeria. One hundred and six biomedical students (76 males; 30 females) of the University of Jos participated in this study. Age, height (Ht), weight (Wt), body mass index (BMI) and exercise heart rate (HRex) to predeterminedexercise intensity were measured and recorded. A modified sub-maximal cycle ergometer protocol was used to estimate maximal oxygen consumption. The estimated value was then compared against the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) standard reference for age and sex. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of the student’s independentt-test. When compared with the reference norm, the results showed that 69.8% had excellent CRF status, 16.0% had good CRF, 13.2% had average CRF and only 1% had poor CRF status. Male students had significantly higher CRF compared with female students. The study showed that most of the students had excellent CRF according to ACSM age and sex matched classification, but further study may be needed to monitor the trend of CRF over time.KEY WORDS: cardiorespiratory fitness, biomedical students, Nigeria
This study investigated the difference between community reintegration of male and female stroke survivors and the association between gender of stroke survivors and some selected stroke specific characteristics (type, side of paresis and occurrence) Fifty-two patients (25 males and 27 females) recruited from hospitals in Nigeria took part in the study. Community reintegration (CR) was assessed three months post-admission discharge using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). Demographic and stroke-specific characteristics were obtained using a data form. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test. Level of significance was set at p = 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 61.21 ± 11.25 years (range 31 – 86 years). There was no significant difference (p = 0.173) between the community reintegration scores of male and female participants. There was also no significant association between gender and each of the selected stroke specific characteristics such as type of stroke (p = 0.279); side of paresis (p = 0.250) and occurrence of stroke (p = 0.670). Community reintegration scores of male and female stroke survivors are not significantly different. There is no significant association between gender and each of the selected stroke specific characteristics. KEYWORDS : community reintegration, stroke, stroke survivors, participation, gender
