Sunday Rufus Akinbo

Prevalence and impacts of low back pain among peasant farmers in South-West Nigeria

ObjectivesA relationship between low back pain (LBP) and poor postures has been previously established with a high prevalence observed in many occupations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of LBP, associated risk factors and impacts on farmers in South-West Nigeria.Materials and MethodsSix hundred and four farmers completed a 36-item closed-ended questionnaire which was translated to Yoruba language with content validity and back translation done afterwards. The questionnaire sought information on demographic data, 12-month prevalence, severity, history, causes and management of LBP, and its impacts on farm activities and the activities of daily living. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics of mean, range, frequency, standard deviation, percentage. Chi2 and Mann-Whitney-U test were used to find association between variables. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05.ResultsThe 12-month prevalence of LBP among the respondents was 74.4%. Low back pain was described as moderate in 53.4%. Prolonged bending (51.3%) was the most related risk factor. A considerable proportion (65.9%) of the respondents were unable to continue some of the previously enjoyed activities. Males had significantly higher (p ≪ 0.05) prevalence, recurrence and duration of LBP than the females.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of LBP among farmers in South-West Nigeria. Age, sex and years of involvement in farming have a significant influence on the prevalence of LBP.

Predictive factors for flatfoot: The role of age and footwear in children in urban and rural communities in South West Nigeria

BACKGROUND Flatfoot is common in children and its prevalence influenced by several factors. This study investigated the role of age and type of foot wear as predictors of flatfoot in school age children in urban and rural areas in south-western Nigeria. METHODS 560 children between 6 and 12 years, divided into two groups; rural and urban were studied. Each subjects static footprint was taken on a white duplicating paper after which the instep was measured for classification into high arch, normal, flat or severe flat. The BMI of each subject was calculated from the anthropometric data. The type of footwear with which the subjects were shod was also recorded. Data analysis was by Epi Info statistical package version 3.5.1 (2008). RESULTS Chi-square showed a significant (p<0.05) association between the presence of flatfoot, age and type of footwear. Comparison of the prevalence of flatfoot by age group indicated a significant difference at age 10 years. Simple logistic regressions, however, showed that age was a significant (p<0.05) predictor for flat foot while the type of footwear was not. CONCLUSION In this study, age is the primary predictor for flatfoot while the type of footwear is not.

LOWER EXTREMITY INJURIES AMONG NIGERIAN MALE YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Background Football (soccer) is the leading sport for participation among Nigerian youths. Studies on youth football injuries and their risk factors in Nigeria are lacking. Objective To assess the risk and pattern of lower extremity (LE) injuries in Nigerian male youth football players. Design A retrospective cohort study. Setting Sub-elite youth football. Participants The study involved 706 players (aged 17.67±1.11 years [14–19 years]) from 36 teams in the Premier League and League I of a Nigerian youth football league. Interventions: A structured questionnaire based on the FIFA Medical and Research Centre consensus for studies relating to football injuries was administered to players at a pre-season screening programme. Main Outcome Measurements: Information collected from the players included occurrence of time-loss LE injuries in the past 1 year, injury type, location, severity and exposure type. Furthermore, descriptive data on potential risk factors such as age, level and position of play, leg dominance and total number of matches played were documented. Results A total of 227 players sustained 307 time-loss LE injuries (range, 1–6 injuries) with an overall 1-year prevalence rate of 32.5%; equivalent to 1.4 injuries per player per year. There was no significant difference in injury prevalence between the Premier League and Division I players (P=.659). Injuries sustained were mostly located on the ankle (45.6%) and the knee joints (27.8%). Moderate injuries (48.5%) were mostly reported and more injuries were sustained during matches than training (P<.001). Exposure to high frequency of matches (>50 matches per year) (OR=2.49, P=.002) was significantly associated with injury occurrence. Conclusions There is a high risk of moderate and severe LE injuries among Nigerian male youth footballers, however, pattern of injuries are mostly consistent with literatures on football injuries. This study suggests the need for injury prevention and rehabilitation interventions for players.

Incidence and pattern of injuries among adolescent basketball players in Nigeria

BackgroundBasketball is the second most popular sport in Nigeria after football and is commonly played by adolescents. Prospective studies on adolescent basketball players in Nigeria are lacking. Such studies will help to develop injury counter-measures. Hence, this study aimed at determining the incidence and pattern of injuries among adolescent basketball players in Nigeria.MethodsA prospective observational study involving 141 adolescent basketball players (75 boys and 66 girls; with age range 15 – 18 years) who participated in the 2010 National Finals of the Nigeria Nestlé Milo Basketball Competition. Basketball-related injury data were collected by an assessor during the competition using a standardized basketball injury report form. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsA total of 32 injuries were recorded with an incidence of 22.7 injuries per 100 participants same for boys and girls. This is equivalent to 1.1 injury per match for boys and 0.9 injuries per match for girls. Jumping/landing was the most common cause of injury (28.1%, N = 9). Most of the injuries were at the lower extremities (75%, N = 24); with majority at the knee joint (40.6%, N = 13). Ligament sprain was the most common types of injury. The pattern of injuries among boys did not significantly differ from that of girls (P > 0.05). Most injuries (N = 13, 41%) occurred in the offensive half of the court and cryotherapy was the most frequently used treatment modality.ConclusionThe overall incidence of match injury among adolescent amateur basketball players during a national competition in Nigeria was 22.7 injuries per 100 participants; equivalence of 1.0 injury per match. The pattern of injuries was similar in both genders and consistent with what has been previously reported in literature for adolescent basketball players. Exercise-based injury prevention programmes aimed at improving core strength and neuromuscular control at the lower limbs may help reduce the incidence of injuries.

The morphology of the healing tendon: a comparison of the effects of intrasound therapy and therapeutic pulsed ultrasound.

Background and Purpose: This study investigated the effects of low- and high-intensity intrasound therapy (LITR and HITR) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the morphology of the healing tendon. Methods: Forty-five male Sprague–Dawley albino rats, randomized into five groups, were further subdivided into groups A and B except Group 1. Groups 2–5 underwent an induced crush injury to the Achilles tendon. The groups were allocated to serve as controls (Group 1), received no treatment (Group 2), LIPUS once daily (Group 3), LITR twice daily (Group 4), and HITR twice daily (Group 5). Treatment commenced 24 hr post-injury over the first 14 days. Subgroup A animals were killed on day 15 and those in subgroup B were killed on day 31. The tendons were excised and processed for histological studies. Results: LITR and HITR given twice daily caused a significant (p < 0.05) proliferation of tenoblasts in the proliferative phase and enhanced their terminal differentiation to tenocytes in the remodeling phase compared with the untreated and LIPUS-treated groups. LITR and HITR also resulted in a significant increase in the volume fraction of collagen fibers compared with LIPUS. Conclusion: Intrasound therapy has a better morphological effect on the healing tendon than LIPUS and may be an option to consider in the treatment of acute tendon injuries.

Correlation among smartphone addiction, craniovertebral angle, scapular dyskinesis, and selected anthropometric variables in physiotherapy undergraduates

Objectives Smartphone addiction has been indicated to reduce the craniovertebral angle, thereby causing a forward head posture and increasing scapular dyskinesis. This study determined the correlation among smartphone addiction level, craniovertebral angle, scapular dyskinesis, and selected anthropometric variables in physiotherapy undergraduates. Methods Seventy-seven participants were recruited from the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, through a purposive sampling technique. The smartphone addiction level was assessed with the short version Smartphone Addiction Scale (English version). Craniovertebral and scapular dyskinesis were assessed using the photographic method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data at an alpha level of 0.05. Results The analysis in this study revealed that many undergraduates are addicted to using smartphones. There was no significant difference in the addiction level (p = 0.367) and in scapular dyskinesis (p = 0.129) between male and female participants. However, there was a significant difference in craniovertebral angle (p = 0.032) between male and female participants. There was a significant relationship among smartphone addiction, craniovertebral angle (r = 0.306, p = 0.007), and scapular dyskinesis (r = 0.363, p = 0.007) in male and female participants. Conclusion A high level of smartphone addiction reduces the craniovertebral angle and increases scapular dyskinesis. Therefore, the smartphone addiction level should be assessed in all patients with neck and shoulder pain to plan appropriate management.