Nigerian School Children Research Articles

Clinical screening for heart disease in apparently healthy Nigerian school children

Background: Heart diseases of childhood are of public health importance, especially in developing countries. Community-based studies are important in ascertaining the burden of disease. We set out to clinically evaluate the prevalence of heart disease among primary school children in Hwolshe electoral Ward, Jos, Plateau State.Subjects and Methods: A total of 418 primary school pupils were selected by multistage sampling from three schools in Hwolshe ward of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State. They were studied for the prevalence of heart disease using clinical examination, followed by chest radiography, electrocardiography and echocardiography (echo) in those with clinical signs of heart disease.Results: The 418 subjects were aged 6-12 (mean 9.0 ± 1.95) years. 252 (55.5%) were girls. Significant tachycardia and pulse irregularity were present in 1 (0.24%) and 3 (0.72%) children respectively. None had hypertension - according to the seventh Joint National Committee criteria. 4 (0.96%) had audible murmurs of which 3 (0.72%) were pathologic. These three subjects were subsequently confirmed by echo to have congenital heart disease (CHD) - two ventricular septal defects and one atrial septal defect. The heart disease prevalence was therefore, 0.72%. All three identified cases of CHD had associated cardiac dysrhythmias: Wandering atrial pacemaker, first degree heart block, and incomplete right bundle branch block, respectively. No case of rheumatic heart disease was identified.Conclusions: Prevalence of heart disease by clinical screening in Jos South school children is approximately 0.72%. Careful cardiac auscultation as part of compulsory health screening at primary school entry and exit will help detect asymptomatic children with heart disease and facilitate treatment before the onset of complications.

Nigerian School Children and Mathematics Phobia: How the Mathematics Teacher Can Help

This paper considered the importance of mathematics and why it is of utmost necessity that all Nigerian children acquire mathematical knowledge. It noted with dismay the general negative students’ attitude towards the subject and their consequent poor performance in it especially in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). It then looked at the attributes of a mathematics teacher that can bring about a change in the teaching and learning of mathematics and in the attitude of students towards the subject. It finally considered best practices for mathematics instruction, such practices that can stimulate and sustain students’ interest in mathematics learning.

Prevalence and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries using PUFA index in suburban Nigerian school children

Dental caries is the most common childhood disease and the most frequent non-communicable disease worldwide. In developing countries, a vast majority of the caries remains unrestored. However, the severity and consequences of untreated dental caries among Nigerian children is unknown. To determine the prevalence using the DMFT/dmft index and severity of oral conditions related to dental caries using the PUFA/pufa index in suburban Nigerian children. The study population consisted of 1,266 randomly selected school children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Dental caries status was assessed using the DMFT/dmft index, described by WHO for epidemiological studies. The PUFA/pufa index was used to assess the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries. The mean dmft was 0.58 for the 4-6years age group while the mean pufa score was 0.16 for the same age group. The mean DMFT score (0.16) was highest for the 13-16years age group, while the mean PUFA score was 0.05 for the same age group. The prevalence of dmft >0 was highest in the 4-6years age group (16.9%) while the prevalence of DMFT >0 was highest in the 13-16years age group (7.2%). The mean pufa >0 was highest in the 4-6years age group (9.2%). The overall caries prevalence was highest in the 4-6years age group (17.4%). Thirty-three percent of decayed teeth in the permanent dentition and 28.2% of the primary dentition had signs of odontogenic infections. Despite the increase in the consumption of westernised diets by Nigerian children coupled with limited access to dental care, the prevalence was low but the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries was still high.

Assessment of overweight and obesity among Nigerian children and adolescents using triceps skin‐fold thickness and body mass index

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in children and adolescents even in resource-poor countries. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity in a group of Nigerian school children using triceps skin-fold thickness (SFT) and body mass index (BMI). The subjects were 1235 randomly selected primary and secondary Lagos school children aged 5-18 years, triceps SFT was measured with Harpenden® calipers and BMI calculated from weight and height. Using BMI, overweight and obesity were defined as values of 85th to 94th percentile for age and sex and ≥95th percentile, respectively. Using triceps SFT, obesity was defined as SFT > 85th percentile of the NHANES III study. Fifty-seven subjects (15 boys and 42 girls) had SFT > 85th percentile with a higher prevalence in girls than boys (6.4% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.001). The prevalence of BMI-defined overweight and obesity were also higher among girls (11.9% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001 and 4.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.02, respectively). Females of upper socioeconomic class were more likely to be overweight (16.2% vs. 6.6%, P < 0.0001), obese (6.3% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.03) or have elevated SFT (8.2% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.03) than those of low socioeconomic status. Forty-seven of 57 subjects (82.5%) with elevated SFT also had high BMI. The prevalence of obesity is low in the study population but the much higher prevalence of overweight suggests that steps should be taken to control fatness before the figures worsen. In more than 80% of subjects, elevated SFT co-existed with elevated BMI.

Association of Hand Length with Height in Nigerian School Children

The study of the anthropometric characteristics of 600 normal Nigeria School Children of ages between 5-10 years of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja, with no obvious deformities or previous history of trauma to the hand was undertaken. The study of these children, males (n=300) with mean age of 7.10 ± 1.98, and females (n=300) with mean age of 7.68 ± 1.86 was investigated. The anthropometric characteristics of their height, age, weight, hand length, and body mass indices were measured, analysed statistically for any significant difference, and correlation between the parameters studied. The results show some significant differences between the anthropometric parameters and a significant correlation (≤ 0.001) between the height and hand length, and other parameters in both males and females. The study derived a linear regression and a multiple linear regression equations for Gbagyi School children of Nigeria from which height, age, weight, hand length and body mass index could be predicted if one factor is known. The results from the present study show that there was a positive correlation between height and hand length and other parameters indicating that height could be predicted using hand length, age, weight and body mass index among Gbagyi school children of Abuja-Nigeria.

Nutritional evaluation using different anthropometric variables in Nigerian school children

The anthropometric characteristics of 600 apparently healthy children of ages between 5 and 10 years of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja Nigeria, consisting of males (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.10 ΁ 1.98 and females (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.68 ΁ 1.86 were selected for the evaluation of their nutritional status using different anthropometric variables. The anthropometric characteristic of their height, age, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), chest circumference and body mass index (BMI) was measured and analysed statistically for any significant difference, and correlation between the parameters studied. The results show some significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between the anthropometric parameters and a significant correlation (≤0.001) between the height and BMI, and other parameters in males and females. The study derived a linear regression and a multiple linear regression equations for Gbagyi children from which height, age, weight, MUAC, chest circumference and BMI could be predicted if one factor is known. The results from the present study provided an insight into the nutritional status of Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja using the BMI and MUAC which showed if a child is malnourished, overweight or obese. The results from the present study show that there is a positive correlation between height and age, and other parameters indicating that height could be predicted using age, weight, BMI, chest circumference and MUAC, while BMI and mid upper arm circumference could be a useful tool in the estimation of nutritional status among Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja.

Self-Perception of Malocclusion Among Nigerian Adolescents Using The Aesthetic Component of The IOTN

Introduction: The practice of orthodontics is very young in South-South Nigeria and there is need for base line data for informed planning. This study was carried out to investigate the self-perception of malocclusion among Nigerian school children aged 12 to 18 years in order to compare their perception with that of an orthodontist and also to determine the influence of gender and age on self-perception.Materials and Methodology: A total of 612 randomly selected schoolchildren comprising 299 (48.9%) males and 313 (51.1%) females with a mean age of 15 + 2.0 years were included in the study, the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was the instrument used to measure the perception of malocclusion by both the school children and the orthodontist.Results: Majority of the students (82.5%) rated their teeth towards the more attractive end of the scale (Grades 1-4). Although self - perception was not found to be related to gender, older children (16-18 years) had an increased level of perception of need. Males and older children were found to be more in need of treatment by the orthodontist.Conclusions: A significant difference was found between the orthodontist’s rating and the students’ ratings of the attractiveness of their occlusions. Age and gender were not found to influence self- perceived orthodontic treatment need. Therefore, for effective orthodontic care, self- perception and not only professional assessment must be taken into consideration when formulating treatment plans to ensure patient satisfaction.

A distribution of antero-posterior skeletal jaw relationship in 12-15 year-old Nigerian school children in Benin-City.

Objective: To determine the antero-posterior skeletal jaw relationship, in 12 -15 year old Nigerian school children in Benin city.Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 100 subjects aged 12-15 years with no history of orthodontic treatment were taken for this study. The radiographs were manually traced and analysed to generate values for SNA, SNB and ANB.Result: The mean age of the population studied was 12.16years. There were 40 males (40%) and 60 females (60%). No significant difference was noted in the mean value for males and females (p&lt;0.05). The mean SNA was 88.780 &plusmn; 3.990, SNB 85.26 0 &plusmn; 3.820, ANB 3.470 &plusmn; 2.310 .The ANB values ranged from 1.50 to 4.750.Conclusion: No significant difference was noted in the values for males and females. The skeletal pattern is defined by the ANB value.Keywords: Antero- posterior, Skeletal Jaw relationship.

Knowledge and awareness of orthodontics among Nigerian school children in selected private and public schools in Lagos

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and awareness of Nigerian adolescents concerning orthodontics, to determine possible factors influencing their knowledge of orthodontics as well as to find out if socioeconomic status has any effect on their knowledge and awareness.&#x0D; Method: This cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study was conducted in two secondary schools (one private and one public) in Lagos State.&#x0D; Result: A total of 408 students, participated in the study of which only 98 (24.0%) had ever heard the term ‘orthodontics’, and of this number only 16 could correctly explain the meaning of the term orthodontics. Majority of the respondents with correct responses attended a private school. Significantly more of the private school students correctly identified that orthodontists are involved in rearranging the teeth (p=0.006) and not involved in cleaning the teeth (p=0.008). There was a significant difference in the knowledge of the students from the public and private school concerning the impact of malocclusion on speech (p=0.002) and appearance (p=0.000). The overall orthodontic knowledge is deficient. However knowledge was better among the children from the private school compared to those from the public school. The results obtained from this study, clearly show that there is need to provide oral health education especially to improve the orthodontic knowledge of these adolescents especially about malocclusion and its consequences. It is expected that this would improve their knowledge and consequently increase the demand for and the uptake of the available orthodontic services.

Relating dental caries experience with body mass index among Nigerian primary school children: A cross-sectional survey

Objective: To determine the dental caries experience and body mass index (BMI) of primary school children from both public and private schools in Ugbowo, Benin City. Materials and Methods: Primary school children from conveniently selected private and public schools were examined for dental caries and also underwent height and weight measurement for their BMI calculation during the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Benin Teaching Hospital School Health program in December 2010, using the WHO criteria. Results: Of the participants, 3.8% and 5.2% of them were overweight and obese respectively. A total of 33 (15.7%) of the children had dental caries with a mean decayed, missing filled, and teeth (DMFT) of 0.25 ΁ 0.04. The prevalence of untreated caries (decayed teeth [DT]), DMFT were 30 (14.3%), 1 (0.5%), and 2 (1.0%) respectively. DT contributed 90.9% (30/33) of DMFT that for the mean DMFT in underweight children was 0.21 that for the normal weight children were 0.26 that for the overweight children was 0.50 and for the obese children was 0.18. The prevalence of dental caries was the highest among obese participants followed by normal weight, underweight and overweight participants. There was no significant association between BMI, DMFT and caries experience.Conclusion: Dental caries experience among primary school children in Ugbowo is comparable to that reported in other Nigerian Pediatric populations and an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. However, non-significant association between the BMI and caries experience was noted. Success-oriented oral health promotion should take cognizance of differential prevalence of dental caries in terms of gender and type of school recorded in this study.

Malocclusion and its Impact on Quality of Life of School Children in Nigeria

Malocclusion, though not life-threatening, is an important public health issue, which has a large impact on the individual, causing discomfort, social and functional limitations. To evaluate objectively orthodontic treatment needs in Nigerian schoolchildren and the impact of malocclusion on their quality of life. This cross-sectional study involved schoolchildren aged 12 to 16 years from four randomly selected secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria. A prestructured questionnaire was administered and a clinical examination was conducted. Occlusal status was assessed for each subject using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP- 14) was also evaluated. There were 410 (50.9%) females and 395 (49.1%) males aged 12 to 16 years. Mean age was 14.5±1.3 years. Irregularity of teeth was the most prevalent malocclusion. Generalised spacing and midline diastema were seen in 59% and 31% respectively; crowding in 43% of the schoolchildren. Other occlusal anomalies were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes. Over one third of the study population did not need treatment, treatment was mandatory in 24.3%, elective in 21% and highly desirable in 17%. More females than males did not need orthodontic treatment. Oral conditions had no effect on the quality of life of 85.3% of the study sample. Most Nigerian schoolchildren were found to have a dental appearance that needed orthodontic treatment. However, components of the oral conditions impacted on the quality of life of a few subjects. Psycho-social need is very important in orthodontic diagnosis.

Nigerian secondary school children’s knowledge of and attitudes to mental health and illness

Children tend to lack knowledge of, and hold negative attitudes towards mental illness. However, most of the work undertaken in Nigeria has been done with adults. To establish the views and knowledge about mental health and illness in pupils at four secondary schools in rural and urban Southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire previously used in the UK and adapted to Nigeria. Data from 145 Nigerian schoolchildren showed little knowledge of, negative attitudes and social distance towards persons with mental health problems. Urban participants and boys appeared less knowledgeable than rural children and girls. Nigerian schoolchildren, as with Nigerian adults and young people in Western countries, show stigma towards mental illness. This may be underpinned by a lack of knowledge regarding mental health problems. Educational interventions need to be appropriate to area, age and gender to effectively improve mental health literacy, which in turn will influence attitudes and social distance. However, the fact that the schoolchildren were optimistic about recovery is a strength that could be built upon.

An Epidemiological Study of Developmental Defects of Enamel in a Group of Nigerian School Children

Resumen pt: Objeti vo: Este estudo epidemiologico analisou a prevalencia, distribuicao e associacao dos fatores eiologicos no desenvolvimento de defeitos do esmalte ...

Caries experience in the primary dentition of nursery school children in ile-ife, Nigeria.

Objective: To measure the prevalence and pattern of distribution of dental caries in suburban Nigerian children attending nursery school in Ile – Ife, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional survey of 423 children (225 boys, 198 girls) aged 3 – 6 years using dmft index. WHO recommendations for oral health survey were used for caries diagnosis (non cavitated lesions were excluded). All examinations were carried out by two calibrated examiners. Result: The prevalence of caries was 10.9% and a mean decayed, missing and filled teeth index (dmft) was 0.3 with the d - component comprising 92%.The mean dmft of children with high social status was higher than children with low social status. No statistically significant differences were found between boys and girls. The pattern of distribution revealed that out of 46 children diagnosed for caries 29 (63%) had caries confined to posterior teeth, 3 (6.5%) had caries only in anterior teeth and in 14(30.4%) both anterior and posterior teeth were affected. Caries free children accounted for 89.1% Discussion: The experience of caries in suburban Nigerian nursery school children found in this study was lower than that reported in most African countries and developed countries. Conclusion: Caries is not a widespread problem in some young suburban Nigerian nursery school children in the population examined. The importance of dental education and oral health programme both curative and preventive measures for this population are important to maintain the WHO / FDI millennium goal in Nigerian children population.Key words: Caries, dmft, suburban, nursery, children.

Physical activity and body mass index of school children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are known to predispose to overweight and obesity. These lifestyles are also known to track from childhood into adulthood with consequent cardiovascular and metabolic problems. This study aimed to describe the frequency of physical activity and the relationship between physical activity and body mass index of urban Nigerian school children and adolescents. Children from seven schools in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria were selected using a multi-staged random sampling technique. Of 570 children, 411 (72.1%) were involved in moderate to vigorous physical activities. Involvement in physical activity was higher in older children (P<0.001), males (P<0.001), and children of mothers with a higher educational level (P=0.03). Eleven (1.9%) children were overweight or obese whereas 163 (28.6%) were underweight. There were more children with underweight than overweight among the subject population with a high level of physical activity (35.6% vs. 4.4%, P=0.499). A large proportion of the children in urban Nigeria participate in physical activity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is low but undernutrition is a major nutritional problem among these children.

Serum lips and lipoproteins in healthy urban Nigerian school children

Serum lips and lipoproteins in healthy urban Nigerian school children

Stigmatization of Mental Illness Among Nigerian Schoolchildren

Despite the fact that about 10% of children experience mental health problems, they tend to hold negative views about mental illness. The objective of this study was to investigate the views of Nigerian schoolchildren towards individuals with mental illness or mental health problems. A cross-sectional design was used. Junior and senior secondary schoolchildren from rural and urban southwest Nigeria were asked: 'What sorts of words or phrases might you use to describe someone who experiences mental health problems?' The responses were tabulated, grouped and interpreted by qualitative thematic analysis. Of 164 students, 132 (80.5%) responded to the question. Six major themes emerged from the answers. The most popular descriptions were 'derogatory terms' (33%). This was followed by 'abnormal appearance and behaviour' (29.6%); 'don't know' answers (13.6%); 'physical illness and disability' (13.6%); 'negative emotional states' (6.8%); and 'language and communication difficulties' (3.4%). The results suggest that, similar to findings elsewhere, stigmatization of mental illness is highly prevalent among Nigerian children. This may be underpinned by lack of knowledge regarding mental health problems and/or fuelled by the media. Educational interventions and encouraging contact with mentally ill persons could play a role in reducing stigma among schoolchildren.

A simple approach improving the performance of urine reagent strips for rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigerian schoolchildren

In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is highly endemic in resource-poor communities. We performed a school-based survey in two rural communities in Osun State (Southwestern Nigeria) and assessed macrohaematuria, microhaematuria and proteinuria as indirect indicators for the presence of disease. Urine samples were inspected macroscopically for haematuria and screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips. The microscopic examination of schistosome eggs was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. In total, 447 schoolchildren were included in this study and had a 51% prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. The sensitivity of microhaematuria (68%) and proteinuria (53%) for infection with S. haematobium was relatively low. In patients with a heavy infection (>or= 500 eggs/10 mL), the sensitivity of microhaematuria was high (95%). When the presence of macrohaematuria and the concomitant presence of microhaematuria and proteinuria were combined, it revealed a sensitivity of 63%, a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 91%. Macrohaematuria also showed high specificity (96%) and a positive predictive value of 92%, while sensitivity was < 50%. These data show that combining urine reagent strip tests (presence of proteinuria and microhaematuria) and information on macrohaematuria increased the accuracy of the rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in an endemic rural West African setting. This simple approach can be used to increase the quality of monitoring of schistosomiasis in schoolchildren.

Knowledge of first aid measures of avulsion and replantation of teeth in Nigerian school children.

The aim of this study was to assess the present knowledge level of tooth avulsion in Nigerian school children. A 12-stemmed questionnaire was distributed to 495 Nigerian school children ( 228 boys, 267 girls) aged 7 � 15 year-old in Ife Central Local Government, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in February 2008 to score several areas of knowledge about tooth avulsion and replantation. The results of this study showed that 39.2% of the children had experienced dental trauma in the past, 62.8% had never received information on first-aid on dental trauma. More than half of the participants 51.5% reported that an avulsed tooth would be left on the ground, 38.2% would throw it on top of the roof and 17.8% would replant. Overall assessment of the children showed a low level of knowledge regarding tooth avulsion and replantation principle. Cultural belief of throwing a knock out or exfoliated tooth on the roof had influence on the children. There is need for comprehensive dental educational programmes and oral health promotions amongst Nigerian school children to improve their knowledge on tooth avulsion and replantation.

Body Mass Index of Healthy Nigerian Children

To study the Body Mass Index of healthy Nigerian school children from different socio-economic backgrounds resident in Kaduna, northern Nigeria. A cross-sectional prospective study of Body Mass Index was carried out on 3,802 healthy Nigerian school children aged 5 to 13 years resident in Kaduna, northern Nigeria. The subjects consist of 1,871 children from private schools (privileged) and 1,931 children from public schools (less privileged). The schools and pupils were selected by multi-staged clustersampling method. Over 75% of the 'privileged' and the 'less privileged' children are from upper and lower socioeconomic classes respectively The mean Body Mass Index of the 'privileged' boys was 15.1 +/- 0.7 compared with 14.7 +/- 1.2 for the 'less privileged' boys. The corresponding mean Body Mass Index values for the 'privileged' and the 'less privileged' girls were 15.1 +/- 0.5 and 15.0 +/- 1.7 respectively. The difference in this index, between the boys as well as between the girls was statistically insignificant (p = 0.05 and 0.12 respectively). There was no statistical significant difference between the BMI of the 'privileged' and the 'less privileged' groups of children.