An Investigation into the Pre-disease Lifestyles of Women with Osteoporosis in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko-South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

2025-09-17T03:53:35-06:00

Background: Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue, frequently associated with lifestyle practices that predispose individuals to bone loss. Knowledge about women's pre-disease lifestyles is essential for the identification of modifiable risk factors and preventive strategies, especially in underserved populations where awareness of the disease is still low. This study investigated the pre-disease lifestyle of women with osteoporosis in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, with a focus on how these practices may have contributed to disease.

Methods: A semi-structured interview was employed for data collection from six (6) participants recruited for the study using a purposive sampling technique. Inductive content analysis was used for analyzing the data, and a similarity process was undertaken to identify sub-themes. Similar sub-themes were grouped to form the final themes for the study.

Results: The findings indicated that several lifestyle factors including inadequate diet, lack of exercise, and second-hand smoke exposure were significant contributors to the development of osteoporosis among the participants. Furthermore, most of the women demonstrated low awareness of the link between their lifestyle practices and the onset of the disease. They were not aware of the health implications of their pre-disease lifestyles.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted health education interventions to raise women's knowledge of osteoporosis and its risk factors. NGOs, health workers, and community programs should prioritise awareness campaigns and promote lifestyle modifications that reduce osteoporosis risk, such as balanced diets, regular exercise, and preventive health checks.

A Multidimensional Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Etiology: The Interplay of Lifestyle, Comorbidity, and Age

2025-09-18T22:10:17-06:00

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly recognised as a multifactorial condition that extends beyond the traditional narrative of age-related decline, reflecting the intersection of vascular, metabolic, psychological, and socio-behavioural determinants. Despite its high prevalence affecting nearly half of men over 40 ED remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in low-resource settings where cultural stigma and inadequate healthcare access exacerbate the burden. This review sought to critically examine the impact of lifestyle behaviours, comorbid conditions, and demographic factors on the etiology and progression of ED.

Methods: Following Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, MedLine, and Embase Ovid for studies published between 2012 and 2024. Out of 2,000 records, 12 primary research articles met the inclusion criteria of examining ED in relation to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, lifestyle factors, and age. Data were synthesised thematically and appraised using the CASP checklist.

Findings: Findings reveal significant heterogeneity: prevalence rates ranged from 19.3% to 77.9%, with higher risk consistently associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, smoking, and sedentary behaviour. Age emerged as a dominant but insufficient explanation, as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle mediated outcomes. Notably, treatment rates lagged far behind prevalence, highlighting persistent stigma and limited integration of ED management into broader health services.

Conclusion: In conclusion, ED is best understood as a multidimensional condition shaped by biological, behavioural, and sociocultural forces. Addressing it requires not only pharmacological interventions but also targeted lifestyle modifications, early screening, and the dismantling of barriers to open discussion within healthcare systems.

Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Lifestyle Factors; Comorbidities; Obesity; Hypertension; Diabetes Mellitus; Ageing; Men’s Health; Quality of Life; Scoping Review.

Scicom Journal of Medical and Applied Medical Sciences

An Investigation into the Pre-disease Lifestyles of Women with Osteoporosis in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko-South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

A Multidimensional Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Etiology: The Interplay of Lifestyle, Comorbidity, and Age