Background and Purpose: Neck pain is a common symptom and a frequent reason for patients to seek physiotherapy treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of neck pain; and identify the type of management received by patients seen in selected physiotherapy clinics in South-West Nigeria. Methods: This study was a retrospective case chart review of patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. The case files of 532 patients with cervical spondylosis out of 9,673 patients treated at the various clinics between September 2002 and August 2004 were reviewed. Results: Neck pain constituted 5.5% of all referrals to the selected clinics with a female to male ratio of 5: 4. The patients' ages ranged between 15 – 88 years with the mean age of 53.4 ΁ 11. 2 years. The peak age ranged from 40 – 50 years, constituting 50.5%. Neck pain was reported to limit functions as it most commonly affected concentration (31.8%) and work (25.5%). The pattern of pain radiation was mostly to the back of the neck (15.9%) with low back pain as the most prevalent co-existing condition (22.4%). The most frequently used modality in the management of the patients was neck mobilization (83%). The use of outcome measures was scarcely employed. Conclusion: Neck pain is a common symptom in our clinical setting and it constitutes a significant burden on the physiotherapy care facilities. The pattern of neck pain seen in this environment is typical of reports from previous studies and from different populations.

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Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness, (DOMS) is characterized by pain and discomfort in skeletal muscles following unaccustomed eccentric physical activity such as downhill running and push ups. It has been treated in several ways including massage, stretching and cryotherapy. This study compared the effects of simple stretch exercises and trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of DOMS. Materials and Methods: We measured pain, muscle power and range of motion (ROM) in 90 young people who had DOMS induced in the non-dominant biceps muscles by 100 elbow flexion/extension movements in which they lifted a 5 kg dumbbell. All the subjects were organised into 3 groups. Two of the groups were treated with either stretch exercises or TENS and the third were not treated. Results: Both treatments caused significant reduction in soreness, (p<0.05), with passive stretching proving more effective. Mean pain felt after treatment in the stretch group was 0.96±1.01 compared to 1.80±0.89 in the TENS group (p < 0.05) and 3.40± 1.61 in control group on day 2. ROM values were highest in the stretch group as well, with mean values of 132.97±4.94 degrees compared to 122.80±24.11 degrees for TENS group (p<0.001) and 113.60±6.464 degrees for control group on day 2. Conclusion: In spite of its high-tech apparatus, TENS showed no superior benefits compared to stretch. With the advantage of lower costs, stretch exercises should be a useful treatment for DOMS.

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Background: The effect of a condition like cervical cancer on women can be devastating to all stakeholders including families, communities and nations. It appears that women in developing countries are more at risk of an adverse outcome due to several reasons including a general lack of awareness about cervical cancer. It is on this premise that this study was undertaken to assess awareness levels of cervical cancer among a group of women at risk. Methodology: A total of 350 market women were recruited from two randomly selected model markets in the city of Lagos. Using the systematic random sampling technique, every 3rd shop was selected. Data assessing knowledge about cervical cancer, its symptoms and predisposing factors were obtained via the aid of a structured interviewer administered, pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed that 71 (20.3 %) of participants had heard about cervical cancer with the most frequent sources being "friends" (49.8%) and the "mass media" (29.7%). Participants who had heard of cervical cancer had minimal knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of this condition. About 45.3%, 26.6% and 43.8% of respondents were aware of some possible risk factors such as promiscuity, smoking and sexually transmitted infections respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study have shown inadequate awareness about cervical cancer amongst an at-risk group. It is imperative to embark on awareness-raising programs targeting this at-risk group.

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Background and Objective: Overpopulation has led to increase in the volume of waste generated in Lagos State, and the effect of continuous rural-urban migration has further worsened the unemployment situation, with consequent increase in the number of unemployed youths turning to scavenging to earn a living. This study is aimed at evaluating the level of awareness and practice of the use of simple protective devices such as hand gloves, boots and face masks, and the attendant health implication for scavengers at three dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The dump sites were selected by simple random sampling from the 9 dump sites in Lagos. These selected dump sites were located at Olososun, Abule-Egba and Solous. A total of 384 scavengers were initially recruited for this study by simple random sampling after obtaining verbal consent. Of these, 300 of the participants (83.3%) actually completed the study. Close ended, structured questionnaires were applied to each of the consenting participants. Results: Of the total number of respondents, 75% were aware of the need to use safety devices (hand gloves, face masks, boots and goggles). Use of protective device was highest among the age group 30-49. The low percentage utilization of protective device was similar in both sexes (33.6% of males and 32.3% of females). However, the highest compliance with usage was among respondents with tertiary education (44.4%). Fever was the most frequently occurring symptom among the respondents (89.3%). The commonest reason for non use of these protective devices was attributed to cost by 86% of respondents. Conclusion: The level of awareness of the need for the use of protective devices was high among respondents. However, the practice of use of these devices, remained very poor.

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Background: Cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death in women in the developing world, has the greatest demonstrated potential for secondary prevention1. Screening is a public health intervention used on a population at risk to identify individuals with a high probability of having or of developing a disease2. Papanicolau smear, Liquid Based Cytology (LBC), Visual inspection with Acetic acid or Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) are screening modalities. This study determined the knowledge, practice and attitude to cervical cancer screening among female undergraduate pharmacy university students in Lagos. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among female Pharmacy undergraduates students in Lagos using self-administered questionnaires. Results: A total of 214 questionnaires were correctly filled and returned, with a response rate of 88.4%. Up to 94.4% (202 participants) knew of cervical cancer, 51.4% (110) pre-cancerous cervical lesions, 38.3% (82) the relationship between Human Papilloma Virus and cervical cancer. About 71% (152) knew of risk factors for cervical cancer, as identified by 62.5% (95) as early sexual debut, and in (61.2%, 93) as multiple sexual partners. Cervical screening known to 71% include Pap smear in 81.6%, LBC in 9.9%, and VIA in 6.6%. Screening interval was known to 9.3% only. Positive attitude towards screening was in 83% (178) and 96% would recommend screening to other women. Up to 25.2% were sexually active and sexual debut occurred before age 20 years in 81.5% (44) of this group. Conclusion: Adequate knowledge of cervical cancer and screening did not translate to good practice despite positive attitude.

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