BackgroundPaucity of data on state-wide maternal mortality in Nigeria hampers planning, monitoring and evaluation of the impact of interventions. The Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in Ondo State was initiated to overcome this problem. This study aimed to compare trends of maternal mortality ratios, causes of deaths, geographical distribution and other associated factors in 12-monthly reports of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in Ondo State.MethodsNotification forms were distributed throughout the State to focal persons and medical records officers at community and facility levels, respectively. Maternal deaths, as defined in the International Classification of Diseases 10th version, were recorded prospectively over 3 years from 1st June 2012 to 30th May, 2015. Forms were submitted, collated and data analysed by a multidisciplinary review committee.ResultsReported numbers of maternal deaths (and maternal mortality ratios) were 114 (253 per 100,000 births), 89 (192) and 81 (170), respectively per year, indicating a 33% reduction in maternal mortality ratio over the course of the study period. Assuming that the confidential enquiry process was the only intervention at the time aimed at reducing maternal mortality, simple linear regression with a correlation coefficient of 0.9314, showed a relationship though the difference in the values were not statistically significant (95% CI = − 184.55 to 101.55, p = 0.169). Postpartum haemorrhage and eclampsia were the leading causes of deaths.ConclusionThere was a trend of reduction in maternal mortality ratio during the period of study with postpartum haemorrhage as the major cause of death. The positive association between the confidential enquiry reports and maternal mortality ratios make us recommend that our model be adopted in other states and at the federal level.

Background: Obesity is the third leading cause of mortality and has become a global epidemic. There is a continuous increase in its prevalence both in the developed and in developing countries. Obesity is closely associated with chronic health conditions, thus increasing the overall burden of disease and disability at the population level. Several factors have been identified as contributors to the obesity epidemic, and may include the work environment and lifestyle behaviours. This study sought to determine the correlates of obesity among public service workers in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving 4 828 public civil service workers across 47 ministries, departments and agencies in Ondo State, Nigeria. Relevant demographic and lifestyle measures were obtained using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise Questionnaire. Height and weight were measured using standardised procedures. Obesity and overweight were defined according to the WHO Criteria as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m 2 and 25-29.9 kg/m 2 , respectively. Bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression models) analyses were used to determine the significant predictors of obesity. Results: Of the total participants (n = 4828), there was a male to female ratio of 1:1 (male = 2 299 and female = 2 529). One in every five participants was found to be obese with 55% of the participants having a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . In the bivariate analysis, female sex (p < 0.000), age above 41 years (p < 0.000), post-primary education level (p < 0.001), marriage (p < 0.000), no alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.000) as well as hypertension (p < 0.000) were significantly associated with obesity. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounders, only female sex (AOR = 5.7, CI = 4.7-6.9), age (AOR = 1.4, CI = 1.1-1.8), level of education (AOR = 0.8, CI = 0.7-0.9), marital status (AOR = 2.1, CI = 1.7-2.), alcohol consumption (AOR = 0.7, CI = 0.5-0.9), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 0.7, CI = 0.5-0.9) and hypertension (AOR = 0.5, CI = 0.4-0.6) were the significant and independent predictors of obesity. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of obesity among public service workers in Akure, Nigeria, possibly attributed to ageing, being of female gender, being married, and having other non-communicable diseases. A well-implemented workplace policy focusing on integrated screening for obesity and non-communicable diseases should be prioritised in Nigeria.

Background:Limited epidemiological data on pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus among public service workers, considered an at-risk population, may undermine the government’s efforts toward addressing the scourge of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. This study aimed to address this gap by determining the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus (DM), and to examine their correlates.Methods:We conducted a workplace cross-sectional survey of 4828 public service workers across 47 ministries, departments and agencies in Ondo State, Nigeria. An adapted World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPwise surveillance questionnaire was utilised to obtain relevant items of demographic factors, medical history and lifestyle behaviour. Height, weight, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were measured according to standard protocols. Pre-diabetes and DM were defined as fasting blood glucose 5.6-6.9mmol/L and greater than or equal to 7.0mmol/L, respectively. We performed univariate and multivariate model analyses to determine the associated factors of pre-diabetes and DM.Results:Overall, 2299 men and 2529 women participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 40.4 years (SD±9.7) and the age range was 19 to 76 years. The prevalence of pre-diabetes and DM was 11.7% (n=563) and 5.3% (n=254), respectively. Women had a higher prevalence of pre-diabetes than men did (12.5% versus 10.8%). In univariate analysis, the following factors were associated with pre-diabetes and DM; aging (p<0.0001), marital status (p<0.0001), lower level of education (p=0.008), body mass index (BMI) (p<0.0001) and hypertension (p<0.0001). In multivariate model analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, age ≥45 years (OR=1.8, 95%CI 1.3-2.4), lower level of education (OR=1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.4), hypertension (OR=2.0, 95%CI 1.5-2.6) and overweight/obesity (OR=2.2, 95%CI 1.6-3.0) were the independent and significant determinants of DM.Conclusion:We found a high prevalence of pre-diabetes and DM in the study population. Cardio-metabolic screening of public category workers might contribute significantly towards bridging the gap of undiagnosed DM in the study setting.

Background: Obesity is the third leading cause of mortality and has become a global epidemic. There is a continuous increase in its prevalence both in the developed and in developing countries. Obesity is closely associated with chronic health conditions, thus increasing the overall burden of disease and disability at the population level. Several factors have been identified as contributors to the obesity epidemic, and may include the work environment and lifestyle behaviours. This study sought to determine the correlates of obesity among public service workers in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving 4 828 public civil service workers across 47 ministries, departments and agencies in Ondo State, Nigeria. Relevant demographic and lifestyle measures were obtained using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise Questionnaire. Height and weight were measured using standardised procedures. Obesity and overweight were defined according to the WHO Criteria as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 25–29.9 kg/m2, respectively. Bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression models) analyses were used to determine the significant predictors of obesity. Results: Of the total participants (n = 4828), there was a male to female ratio of 1:1 (male = 2 299 and female = 2 529). One in every five participants was found to be obese with 55% of the participants having a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. In the bivariate analysis, female sex (p < 0.000), age above 41 years (p < 0.000), post-primary education level (p < 0.001), marriage (p < 0.000), no alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.000) as well as hypertension (p < 0.000) were significantly associated with obesity. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounders, only female sex (AOR = 5.7, CI = 4.7–6.9), age (AOR = 1.4, CI = 1.1–1.8), level of education (AOR = 0.8, CI = 0.7–0.9), marital status (AOR = 2.1, CI = 1.7–2.), alcohol consumption (AOR = 0.7, CI = 0.5–0.9), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 0.7, CI = 0.5–0.9) and hypertension (AOR = 0.5, CI = 0.4–0.6) were the significant and independent predictors of obesity. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of obesity among public service workers in Akure, Nigeria, possibly attributed to ageing, being of female gender, being married, and having other non-communicable diseases. A well-implemented workplace policy focusing on integrated screening for obesity and non-communicable diseases should be prioritised in Nigeria. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1333784