Knowledge And Attitude Of Nigerians On Snoring As A Health Problem

.Alabi, B.S and Musa, O.I. and Afolabi, O.A. and Aremu, S.K and Adebola, S.O. (2011) Knowledge And Attitude Of Nigerians On Snoring As A Health Problem. The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 18 (2). pp. 33-37.

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Abstract

Abstract is simply that of adaptation , hence many do not This is a cross sectional study on snoring was consider it worthwhile to seek medical attention. There conducted among adults aged 18 years and above at is need to create public awareness on snoring as a Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling treatable health problem that require detailed technique using the primary health care (PHC) House evaluation with definitive medical, surgical and numbering was used to select households from which ancillary treatment of the condition. adult subjects were interviewed. 400 subjects were Key words: Low knowledge, attitude, Nigerians, sampled, 383 consented and completed the survey. This Snoring. gave a participatory rate of 96%. Introduction Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires on Snoring is the production of sound from the knowledge, attitude of Nigerians on snoring as a health upper aero digestive tract during sleep due to turbulent problem were administered to the subjects by trained airflow 1. It is part of sleep disordered breathing (SPB) research assistants. Completed questionnaires were which ranged from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) at analyzed using EPI 2000 software package. one end to simple snoring at the other end 2. A total of 383 subjects were interviewed in the One of the most important risk factors associated with age range of 18-60 years (mean of 29.09 ±1.23 years) snoring is obesity. Over two-thirds of individuals with There were 194 females (50.7%) and 189 males Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) are 20% (49.3%) with a male/female sex ratio of 0.97 to 1.0. On above their ideal body weight 3. Obese individual have consideration of snoring as a health problem, majority enlarged neck size which make them to be prone to of the respondents 202 (52.7%) did not feel so, 147 snoring as their tongues fall back during sleep leading (38.4%) considered it as a health problem while 34 to obstruction 4. (8.9%) were undecided. Only 42 (11%) admitted they According to WHO, in 2005, there are 400 were told they snore, 290 (75.7%) do not snore while 51 million obese individuals in the world with a projection (13.3%) do not know if they snore. of 700 million by 2015 4. Obesity co-exists with the The age distribution showed increase of snorers with problem of under nutrition in developing countries increasing age, from 7.1% among 16-20 and 21-25 year affecting all ages and socio economic groups due age groups to 26.2% in 45years and above. probably to consumption of more energy dense, On the knowledge of predisposing factors of nutrient poor foods with high levels of sugar and snoring, 356 (93.5%) agreed that overweight/obesity is saturated fats 4. strongly associated, alcohol consumption in 206 Obesity rate has risen three folds or more since (53.8%), cigarette smoking among 169 (44.0%), 1980 in North America, United Kingdom, Eastern fatigue and tiredness in 94 (24.6%) and upper airway Europe, Middle East, Pacific Islands, Australia and obstructions amongst 68 (17.8%). On attitudes towards China 3. Other risk factors associated with snoring/ snorers, 71.1% claimed they adapt to it, only 23.3% OSAS include diabetes, hypertension, stroke and were disturbed and 15.4% simply ignore it. There was certain form of cancers 5, 6. no significant difference in gender and age group of the The clinical features associated with OSAS respondents in relation to whether they snore or not. include nocturnal symptoms such as loud snoring, The knowledge of snoring as a health problem fragmented sleep, apneas, restless sleep, among Nigerians is quite low despite their awareness of oesopharyngeal reflux and dry mouth with nightmares the predisposing factors/causes of snoring and attitudeis simply that of adaptation , hence many do not This is a cross sectional study on snoring was consider it worthwhile to seek medical attention. There conducted among adults aged 18 years and above at is need to create public awareness on snoring as a Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling treatable health problem that require detailed technique using the primary health care (PHC) House evaluation with definitive medical, surgical and numbering was used to select households from which ancillary treatment of the condition. adult subjects were interviewed. 400 subjects were Key words: Low knowledge, attitude, Nigerians, sampled, 383 consented and completed the survey. This Snoring.

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