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Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases are an increasing threat in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and overweight and obesity are affecting people across all socioeconomic groups. Some studies suggest that big body sizes may be perceived as desirable among women in SSA and that high prevalence of obesity and overweight are especially present in low socioeconomic societies. This study explores the role of socioeconomic factors in the perception of the ideal body among Kenyan women and whether perceptions and beliefs about the ideal body should be considered relevant when targeting the prevention of obesity and overweight. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 Kenyan women with varying educational backgrounds, aged between 21 and 48, using a qualitative study design. The interviews were conducted in December 2022 and January 2023 in Nairobi, audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed through qualitative content analysis and a coding system using deductive and inductive codes. Results The participants reported that conclusions about a person’s health and wealth status are drawn based on different body sizes. Furthermore, traditional views about the ideal body size, societal pressure, as well as the women’s own experience with their body size play a role in the perception of an ideal body. Conclusion Small-sized women desire to gain weight as society may view them as weak and sick. Big-sized women aim to reduce weight primarily due to health complications. Nevertheless, traditionally, a big-sized woman is considered strong and wealthy, creating external pressure on women to fulfil this body image—these findings emphasise traditional aspects in designing culturally sensitive prevention and intervention methods to address overweight and obesity.

Abstract Background Exploring and understanding indicators of better life outcomes have remained popular among social and health researchers. However, the subjective approach to measuring well-being has raised questions on the appropriateness of standard measures of well-being in multicultural settings. The current study examines generalised well-being and its dependence on the implicit understanding of individual culture and circumstances. Methods A mixed-method approach with a cross-sectional design and focus group discussions was adopted. Fifteen focus group discussions with 66 participants were conducted in four provinces of South Africa. Descriptive statistics, correlations, regression analysis and analysis of variance were computed for quantitative data. The focus group discussions were analysed using a content analysis approach. The recorded focus group discussions were transcribed using the intelligent verbatim technique. Data analysis was done stepwise using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. Results Quantitative analysis showed a strong and significant association between quality of life and income and a moderate association with educational attainment. The open coding technique for qualitative data confirmed 11 different subconstructs of well-being, mentioned 403 times during the 15 focus group discussions. Furthermore, well-being indicators varied based on participants’ racial identity. Conclusions The findings confirm personal circumstance and culture as significant for interpreting results from well-being research. Furthermore, it supports Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, highlighting the movement from deficiency needs to growth needs after deficiency needs are met. Research must adopt a more sociological approach to improve the accuracy and implementibility of findings when using standardised measures of well-being.

The loss of splenic function is associated with an increased risk of infection in sickle cell disease (SCD); however, spleen function is rarely documented among SCD patients in Africa, due partly to the non-availability of sophisticated techniques such as scintigraphy. Methods of assessing splenic function which may be achievable in resource-poor settings include counting red blood cells (RBC) containing Howell Jolly Bodies (HJB) and RBC containing silver-staining (argyrophilic) inclusions (AI) using a light microscope. We evaluated the presence of HJB-and AI-containing RBC as markers of splenic dysfunction among SCD patients in Nigeria. We prospectively enrolled children and adults with SCD in steady state attending outpatient clinics at a tertiary hospital in North-East Nigeria. The percentages of HJB-and AI-containing red cells were estimated from peripheral blood smears and compared to normal controls. There were 182 SCD patients and 102 healthy controls. Both AI- and HJB-containing red cells could be easily identified in the participants blood smears. SCD patients had a significantly higher proportion of red cells containing HJB (1.5%; IQR 0.7%-3.1%) compared to controls (0.3%; IQR 0.1%-0.5%) (P

Background: The outcome of studies on the effect of patients’ factors, dental factors and operative factors on postoperative sequelae following surgical extraction of lower third molar have been unequivocal. Objective: To determine the effect of surgical difficulty (using Pederson’s scale), Body Mass Index (BMI) and operative time on the extent of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus following third molar surgery. Methods: The study was a prospective analytical study of the effect of surgical difficulty, BMI, age and operative time – Total Intervention Time (TIT) - on the extent of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus. Eighty-four subjects with surgical extraction of impacted lower third molar were studied. All the subjects had a standard Peri-apical radiograph through which the difficulty index was calculated for all third molars using the Pederson scale. Anthropometric vertical and horizontal facial measurements and pain measurement were taken pre-operatively and post-operatively on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Results: Of the 84 subjects, 16 (19%) were males, while 68 (81%) were females in the ratio of 1:4.2. BMI showed a positive correlation with all the three variables and was significant for swelling on the post-operative days assessed while TIT showed a negative correlation with most of the variables and was significant for trismus. Conclusion: This study showed that age and operative time might have an inverse relationship with the common post-operative complications after lower third molar surgery and BMI might influence the extent of these complications.

Background: Nigeria reportedly has one of the highest incidences of congenital hearing loss and the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) offers a potential for early detection and intervention. Objectives: To determine the awareness and acceptability of newborn hearing screening among the antenatal clinic attendees of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey among the pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire Results: A total of 114 women aged 18 and 45 years participated in the survey; 51/114 (44.7%) were aware of hearing screening with most of them 39/51 (76.5%) having health workers as their first source of knowledge. A high acceptance rate was obtained among 97/114 (85.1%), and this was notably independent (p = 0.399) of awareness; 14/114 (12.2%) rejected UNHS and the commonest reason for rejection was lack of enough information among 10/14 (71.4%) on the existence and use of UNHS. Health care workers were the commonest source of information [39/51(76.5%)]. A majority [51/58 (87.9%)] thought that the best time to initiate treatment is early in life, before speech development, only 4/114 (3.5%) had relatives who had ever undergone UNHS and all were done abroad. Conclusions: Less than half of the participants attending ANC were aware of hearing screening and acceptance was high despite this low awareness rate. Parental awareness appeared to depend on contact with healthcare workers. Community education may increase awareness and demand for UNHS.