The Management of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos (UNILAG) has taken proactive steps towards improving the quality of life of its staff through the organisation of an interactive seminar on the topic: “Noncommunicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors in an e-Learning Environment”. The seminar, which was held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, was the first monthly seminar series the Institute would hold in the 2023/2024 academic session.
The Director, Distance Learning Institute, UNILAG, Professor Risikat Oladoyin S. Dauda, while delivering her welcome address averred that “the issue of noncommunicable diseases has become very rampant these days and often leads to incapacitation and sudden death. We do not desire to experience any of such in our midst hence the need to start the monthly seminar series with health issue.” She emphasised the Institute’s commitment to staff wellbeing, noting that good and sound health is a necessity for everyone to effectively carry out their daily activities.
Professor Dauda appreciated members of staff for their presence at the seminar and encouraged them to listen attentively, participate actively and be intentional in devising ways to implement the knowledge they acquire from the seminar.
Speaking further on the extensive thought and planning that had gone into making the seminar enriching, Professor Dauda disclosed that arrangements have been made in collaboration with the University’s Medical Centre for all members of staff of the Institute to benefit from comprehensive free medical examination after the seminar. For that, she specially appreciated the Director, UNILAG Medical Centre, Dr. Olayinka Coker and her team for being on hand to provide their support to the cause of the Institute.
Similarly, she gave recognition to the seminar committee for their laudable efforts in making the program a reality. Her gratitude also went out to the guest speaker Dr Omobolanle Johnson for honouring the invitation of the Institute.
“Always Know Your Numbers” – Dr Omobolanle Johnson
Dr Omobolanle Johnson, a renowned Public Health Physician at the Lagos State Health Care Board and an alumna of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), charged all staff of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos (UNILAG) to be intentional in keeping track of their medical vital signs such as: Blood Pressure, Weight, Blood Glucose Level, Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Oxygen, among others.
She explained that Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that do not result from infectious process and thus are “not communicable” as it cannot be contracted through bodily fluids, and airborne substances. Dr Johnson explained further that NCDs may arise due to a combination of a variety of environmental, physiological, genetic and behavioural factors, hence it is multifactorial and persist for long periods with no spontaneous resolution or feasible complete cure.
Using different global and regional statistics, she intimated the gathering of the enormity of lives lost to Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs are collectively responsible for 74% of all deaths worldwide. They include ailments such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, liver disease, memory loss to varying degrees, to mention a few.
Dr Omobolanle Johnson painstakingly took participants at the seminar through the different categories of NCDs to ensure optimal comprehension of the differences that exist in the human anatomy and genetics from person to person. Grouping the NCDs into five (5) separate groups, she informed that several people are prone to the first four (4) major types of noncommunicable diseases once they attain the age of forty (40) years old.
These 4 Main NCDs are: Cardiovascular diseases (e.g. Coronary Heart Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Congenital Heart Disease etc.); Endocrine/Metabolic disease (e.g. Diabetes); Cancers; and, Chronic Respiratory Diseases (e.g. COPD, Asthma). These diseases arise from factors that cannot be modified such as age, genetics/family history, sex and race.
The other NCDs arise from modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle/behavioural factors (e.g. unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, harmful use of alcohol etc.), environmental exposure (e.g. air pollution) etc. These NCDs include: Neurologic disorders; Kidney Disease; Gastrointestinal Disease; Liver Disease; Congenital Disorders; Blood Disorders; Connective Tissue Disorders; Skin Disorders; Dental Diseases; Ocular Diseases etc.
Dr. Johnson asserted that the modifiable factors when left unchecked, lead to metabolic risks such as increased blood pressure; increased total cholesterol; elevated glucose; and overweight and obesity. According to her the risks associated with problems arising in an individual’s metabolism lead to at least one of the other noncommunicable diseases.
This, she posited can be managed by modifying one’s lifestyle and understanding one’s environment.
Using illustrative diagrams and charts, Dr. Johnson delved into practical modifications that can improve the wellbeing of most staff working in a digital learning facility such as the Distance Learning Institute. She identified the common behavioural factors that come with working in such an environment as sedentary, timeless, mentally taxing, among others.
Accoding to her, the most effective way out is to:
- Improve Quality of Sleep: ensuring one gets good quality sleep for about 8 hours and above will greatly improve the brain function as the brain uses the period of sleep to wash off inflammations. This can save a person from dealing with varying degrees of neurological disorders such as: mild memory loss; Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, ADHD etc.
- Improve Diet: Unhealthy diets has increased considerably across the world. Individuals need to follow strict diet guidelines such as drinking a lot of water: having specific timeframe for eating; restricting calories in diet; increasing macronutrients in foods consumed. She shared a “healthy food plate chart” to help participants understand better.
- Improve Physical Activities: Dr. Omobolanle Johnson encouraged participants to imbibe exercising into their daily routine as it reduces high blood pressure, arthritis pain, adverse lipid profile, psychiatric issues etc. It is also known to reduce the risk of having type II diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, certain cancers, unexplainable falls and early death. She noted that each person should make it a point to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activities per week and at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities per week. She illustrated how these activities can be incorporated into regular everyday lifestyle choices such as deciding to take the stairs instead of using an elevator; packing one’s car at a far distance so as to click in a few steps; using laundry movements as a systemic way of exercising; choosing to carry baskets when shopping instead of opting for a trolley. A practical movement and exercise session was then carried out by all participants at the venue of the seminar.
- Reduce Harmful Alcohol Consumption: Dr. Johnson informed that the recommended cap for alcohol consumption for men is 2 cups while women should only consume 1 cup per day. She asserted that any quantity higher than that is regarded as excessive consumption of alcohol and detrimental to the health.
- Improve Sitting and Standing Posture: Dr. Johnson acknowledged the reality of sitting for long hours in the office and at times longer hours in traffic, hence she explained the proper postures of sitting and standing using a detailed diagram.
Several other measures can be found in Dr Omobolanle Johnson’s presentation (CLICK HERE).
Before the lecture came to a close, Dr. Johnson engaged all participants in a hands on activity, where she encouraged participants to write down their personal actionable plans to improve their lifestyle and combat non-communicable diseases. Using her personal experience, she provided a few prompts to help participants arrive at creating a SMART goal.
She encouraged participants to ask themselves the following questions:
- Which habits do I need to change?
- What stage of my desired change am I presently?
- What do I need to act on to maintain this change?
To effectively combat habits like consumption of junk foods, fizzy drinks, and alcohol, Dr. Omobolanle advised members of staff to adopt gradual replacement tactics instead of outrightly quitting these habits. She averred that it is more feasible to gradually replace drinks with water and junk foods with healthier food alternatives such as fruits and vegetables than to completely stop the consumption and relapse into unhealthy diet altogether.
Closing her enlightening seminar presentation, Dr. Johnson also advised participants to choose an accountability partner to stay on track in their new healthy lifestyle plan.
Subsequently, the Deputy Director, Academic Planning and Research for the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), Dr. Folashade Afolabi, who served as the rapporteur for the seminar, took to the podium and reeled out details of the insightful and engaging seminar delivered by Dr. Omobolanle Johnson. She cited her personal plans for improving her lifestyle when reporting that aspect of the seminar and nominated her accountability partner from among the participants. This was done to motivate staff who are yet to complete their plans.
The Director, DLI, UNILAG, Professor Risikat Dauda in her closing remarks expressed her elation at the vibrant and stimulating mode of the seminar. She encouraged all staff to take the instructions of the lecture seriously. The DLI Director disclosed that she knew her “numbers” (her medical vital signs) and would act on some changes she wished to see in herself, and therefore urged all members of staff to keep track of theirs as well.
She applauded the speaker, Dr. Omobolanle Johnson and presented a plaque and souvenir to her in recognition of her brilliant seminar presentation. Similarly, she presented souvenir to the Medical Director, University of Lagos Medical Centre in appreciation of her team’s contribution to the success of the seminar.
Ultimately, members of staff of the Distance Learning Institute, UNILAG moved to the red bricks building at DLI for the medical checkups and consultation.
