Profiling Health Indicators: A Study of Protein and Cholesterol Levels among Male Medical Doctors in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Published: 2023-12-20
Page: 146-155
Issue: 2023 - Volume 6 [Issue 1]
C. L. Uche *
Department of Haematology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
C. Ubani-Ukoma
Department of Internal Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
I. O. Abali
Department of Surgery, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
J. Chikezie
Department of Internal Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
I. Nwadiuto
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
N. Onyeukwu
Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
O. Agwu
Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
P. Ndukwe
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
C. O. Onyemereze
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
K. O. Eke
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
A. I. Airaodion
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
E. O. Ezirim
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This research aimed to profile the health indicators of male medical doctors in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, by examining protein and cholesterol concentrations.
Methodology: This research adopted a cross-sectional study to investigate the health profile of practicing doctors in Aba, Abia State. The study focused on doctors aged forty years and above, encompassing both seasoned professionals and those in the early stages of their careers. The research was conducted during the zonal meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the Aba zone, coinciding with official clinic consultations. The sampling method employed was purposive, with participation based on voluntary consent. A targeted approach resulted in a cohort of 59 male doctors, chosen strategically to gain insights into the health status of this specific demographic. To assess their health parameters, blood samples were collected using standard venepuncture techniques. The samples were subsequently analyzed for concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol using an automatic biochemical analyzer. This approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical profile of the selected cohort, contributing valuable insights into the overall health and well-being of practicing male doctors in the region.
Results: The findings of this study indicated that most of the doctors (59.32%) had total protein levels in the 6.0-6.9 mg/dL range. A considerable proportion of the population showed albumin concentrations in the 5.0-5.9 mg/dL (54.24%) and 4.0-4.9 mg/dL (44.07%) brackets. In terms of globulin, the majority of the doctors (52.54%) presented levels between 1.0-1.9 mg/dL. Cholesterol concentrations revealed that the largest group of doctors (33.90%) fell in the 4.0-4.9 mmol/L category, followed by those in the 3.0-3.9 mmol/L and 5.0-5.9 mmol/L brackets (25.42% and 23.73% respectively).
Conclusion: These findings provide a valuable profile of health indicators among this population and may serve as a reference for further investigations to promote healthcare professionals' wellness. Future studies should also consider other potential determinants of these health markers, such as dietary habits, lifestyle, stress levels, and exercise routines.
Keywords: Cholesterol, health indicators, protein, medical doctors
How to Cite
Downloads
References
World Health Organization (WHO). Noncommunicable diseases; 2020. Avalable:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
Adeoye AM, Tayo BO, Adebayo PB, Ogunniyi A, Salako BL. Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among primary health care workers in Nigeria. Africa Health Sciences. 2019;19(2):1887-1895.
Avalable:https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.22.
Vos T, Lim SS, Abbafati C, Abbas KM, Abbasi M, Abbasifard M, Abdollahi M. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. The Lancet. 2020;396(10258):1204-1222. Avalable:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30925-9.
Piepoli MF, Hoes AW, Agewall S, Albus C, Brotons C, Catapano AL, Hobbs FD. 2016 European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice. European Heart Journal. 2020;37(29): 2315-2381.
Avalable:https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehw106.
Uche CL, Alaje AK, Chikezie J, Abali IO, Ubani-Ukoma C. Prostate screening among doctors in aba, South Eastern Nigeria. Quest Journals: Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research. 2017; 04(09):25–29.
Uche CL, Alaje AK, Chikezie J, Abali IO, Ubani-Ukoma C. Prostate specific antigen as a screening tool in South East Nigeria: An assessment of compliance level among health professionals. Medico Research Chronicles. 2017;4(4):447-453.
Gold KJ. Physician health over the professional life cycle. American Journal of Medicine. 2022;135(3):303– 307. Avalable:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.09.007.
Njoku A, Ngwu EN, Nwachukwu I. Health challenges of medical practitioners in Nigeria: A qualitative study. Nigerian Journal of Medicine. 2023; 32(1):23-31.
Sullivan P, Khuder S, McKee P. A healthy doctor is a better doctor. Family Practice. 2022;39(1):12-17.
Avalable:https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmab072
Airaodion AI, Ene AC, Ogbuagu EO, Okoroukwu VN, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu U. Biochemical changes associated with consumption (by rats) of “Garri” processed by traditional and instant mechanical methods. Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. 2019; 2(4):1-11.
Airaodion AI, Adeniji AR, Ogbuagu EO, Ogbuagu U, Agunbiade AP. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic activities of methanolic extract of Talinum triangulare leaves in wistar rats. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology. 2019;11(5):1-13.
Chen S, Lin S, Liu H, Li Q. Health status of medical practitioners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2022;64(1):13–21. Avalable:https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002428
Ekeleme NC, Ijioma CE, Unachukwu NA, Ejikem PI, Areh JE, Ogwu CI, Jeffery EO, Esangbedo IJ, Amuta AC, Ojiri PC, Amoji NO, Aminu-Ayinde OE, Amadi ES, Onyeukwu N, Abali IO, Airaodion AI. Attitudes and practices of insecticide treated bed nets usage among rural dwellers in Oyo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Diseases and Health. 2023;44(15):43- 58.
Airaodion AI, Alabi OJ, Ogbuagu EO, Atiba FA, Olawoyin DS. Nephro and hepatotoxic effect of air freshener in wistar rats. Asian Journal of Research in Nephrology. 2020; 3(2):1-9.
Owoade AO, Adetutu A, Airaodion AI, Ogundipe OO. Toxicological assessment of the methanolic leaf extract of Bridelia ferrugelia. The Journal of Phytopharmacology. 2018;7(5):419-424.
Owoade AO, Airaodion AI, Adetutu A, Akinyomi OD. Levofloxacin-induced dyslipidemia in male albino rats. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2018;4(5):620-629.
Rodwell VW. Harper's illustrated biochemistry 31st edition. McGraw Hill; 2015.
Airaodion AI, Megwas AU, Ekenjoku JA, Ngwogu KO, Ngwogu AC. Nephro- and hepato-toxicity of common household insecticides used in Nigeria. International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2020;3(2):21-28.
American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Protein, total and albumin. Lab Tests Online; 2020.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu EO. Effect of Cyperus esculentus L. (tiger nut) milk on hepatic and renal indices of wistar rat. Asian Journal of Research in Nephrology. 2020;3(2):10-16.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu EO, Ewa O, Ogbuagu U, Awosanya OO, Adekale OA. Ameliorative efficacy of methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves against acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats. Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. 2019; 7(6):1-9.
Wallace JE, Lemaire JB, Ghali WA. Physician wellness: a missing quality indicator lancet. 2009;374(9702):1714-1721.
Gatta A, Verardo A, Bolognesi M. Hypoalbuminemia. Internal and Emergency Medicine. 2012;7(3):193-199.
Zhang Z, Pereira SL, Luo M, Matheson EM. Evaluation of blood biomarkers associated with risk of malnutrition in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2017;9(8): 829.
Airaodion AI, Akinmolayan JD, Ogbuagu EO, Esonu CE, Ogbuagu U. Preventive and therapeutic activities of methanolic extract of Talinum triangulare leaves against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology. 2019; 11(7):85-96.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu U, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu EO, Airaodion EO, Okoroukwu VN. Hepato-protective efficiency of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera against hydrocarbon exposure. International Journal of Advances in Herbal and Alternative Medicine. 2019;03(01): 32-41.
Krokstad S, Ding D, Grunseit AC, Sund ER, Holmen TL, Rangul V, Bauman A. Multiple lifestyle behaviours and mortality, findings from a large population-based norwegian cohort study - The hunt study. BMC Public Health. 2022;17:58.
Avalable: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3993-x.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu EO, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu U, Airaodion EO. Therapeutic effect of methanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaves against acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology. 2019;11(7): 179-189.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu EO, Ogbuagu U, Adeniji A, Agunbiade AP, Airaodion EO. Hepatoprotective effect of Parkia biglobosa on acute Ethanol-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats. International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2019; 2(1): 1-11.
Davis CP. Protein (Total and Albumin) and globulin blood tests: understand results. MedicineNet: 2021.
Avalable:https://www.medicinenet.com/protein_and_globulin_blood_test/article.htm.
Airaodion AI, Ngwogu AC, Ekenjoku JA, Ngwogu KO. hepatoprotective potency of ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola (Heckel) seed against acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2020; 3(2):1-10.
Hoffman R, Benz EJ. Hematology: Basic principles and practice (8th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences; 2022.
Onyekachi OIN, Orji SF, Ugwu CN, Igwenyi C, Uche CL, Abali IO, Nwobodo MU, Iwuoha CE, Chika-Igwenyi NM, Onyeaghala CA, Agu FU, Airaodion AI. Hepatocellular injury ameliorated by a common African food, Parkia biglobosa, Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022;11(4): 26-34.
Amadi CE, Duru CB, Nwaneri AC, Abanobi OC, Ani MG. Health status of doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2018;12(3):69-74.
Opoku ST, Anarfo EB. Stress and coping strategies among healthcare professionals: A review of the literature. BioMed Research International. 2022; 4610176.
Airaodion AI, Ogbuagu U, Ogbuagu EO, Oloruntoba AP, Agunbiade AP, Airaodion EO, Mokelu IP, Ekeh SC. Mechanisms for controlling the synthesis of lipids. International Journal of Research. 2019; 6(2):123-135.
American Heart Association. What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean; 2021.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. High Blood Cholesterol; 2021.
Avalable:https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-cholesterol.
Airaodion AI, Adejumo PR, Njoku CO, Ogbuagu EO, Ogbuagu U. Implication of sugar intake in haemorrhoid and menstruation. International Journal of Research and Reports in Hematology. 2019;2(2):1-9.
Ugwu CN, Iwuoha CE, Chika-Igwenyi NM, Onyeaghala CA, Orji SF, Igwenyi C, Uche CL, Onyekachi OIN, Nwobodo MU, Abali IO, Airaodion AI. Chemotherapeutic propensity of Africa locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) seed on lipid profile against potassium bromate-induced cardiotoxicity. Journal of Applied Life Sciences International. 2022;25(5):29- 38.