Journal of Physical Education and Public Health

Educating healthcare practitioners with the "Medication-Related Consultation Framework" model to develop their consultation skills

meij_admin meij_admin — 2025-06-20

The purpose of this paper is to educate healthcare practitioners with the Medication-Related Consultation Framework model to enhance their consultation skills. The model breaks down into four phases each of them highlighting key behaviours essential to medication-related behaviours and hence promoting adherence. The approach used here is strongly patient-centered with identifying the patient's role as active and not passive. It enhances the knowledge of healthcare practitioners and digs deeper into the MRCF model to fully elaborate and explain the different phases of the mentioned framework. The consultation framework teaches how to make effective a healthcare professional's consultation by simplifying it. It is important to understand that the medication-related consultation framework is a structured process. It has a patient-centered approach and shared agenda to discuss the patient's medication-related issues and promote adherence. As mentioned earlier the consultation amplifies that the patient's role is active and not passive in the process

PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS ON ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AMONG COMPETITIVE ATHLETES IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS

meij_admin meij_admin — 2025-06-20

Background: Parasitic infections remain a significant public health concern in tropical regions like Nigeria, where athletes are not exempt from the physiological and psychological consequences of these diseases. Despite the increasing emphasis on optimal sports performance, the role of parasitic diseases in undermining athletic ability and mental readiness remains underexplored, particularly in urban centers like Port Harcourt metropolis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections among athletes in Port Harcourt and examine how these infections affect their physiological performance and psychological well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted with 60 athletes aged 16–30, selected from sports clubs, schools, and universities in Port Harcourt. Data were collected through laboratory screening (malaria RDT and microscopy, stool analysis using the Formol-Ether Concentration Technique), physiological tests (VO₂ max via 20m shuttle run, strength and endurance tests), and psychological assessments using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative insights were explored through thematic analysis. Results: The findings revealed that 41.7% of the athletes tested positive for at least one parasitic infection. Infected athletes demonstrated lower VO₂ max scores and diminished muscular strength and endurance compared to non-infected counterparts. Psychologically, infected athletes recorded higher cognitive and somatic anxiety levels and lower self-confidence, with mild to moderate depressive symptoms present in over 50% of infected participants. Conclusion: Parasitic infections significantly compromise both the physiological capacity and psychological readiness of athletes, thereby hindering optimal performance. Integrated intervention strategies—combining regular health screening, psychological support, and environmental hygiene—are essential for safeguarding athlete health and enhancing sports performance.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXERCISE INTENSITY ON WELL-BEING OF EXERCISERS IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS

meij_admin meij_admin — 2025-06-20

Exercise is well-documented for its physical health benefits, yet the specific influence of exercise intensity on psychological well-being remains underexplored, particularly within African urban contexts. This study investigates the psychological effects of varying exercise intensities on the well-being of adult exercisers in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria. Employing a cross-sectional design, 300 regular exercisers from gyms, parks, and fitness clubs were purposively sampled. Participants self-reported their typical exercise intensity (low, moderate, or high) and completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) to assess positive mental health outcomes. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, while one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc tests examined differences in psychological well-being across intensity groups. Qualitative thematic analysis explored sociocultural and environmental factors influencing mental health outcomes. Results indicated that moderate-intensity exercisers reported significantly higher psychological well-being scores (M = 54.3, SD = 6.2) compared to both low- (M = 48.7, SD = 7.1) and high-intensity groups (M = 50.1, SD = 6.8), with ANOVA confirming significant differences (F(2, 297) = 18.47, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed moderate intensity significantly outperformed other groups, while low and high intensities did not differ significantly. Qualitative findings highlighted the importance of social interaction and environmental accessibility as key moderators of exercise-related psychological benefits in the urban Nigerian context. The study concludes that moderate-intensity exercise optimally enhances psychological well-being among exercisers in Port Harcourt. Public health strategies should therefore promote accessible, socially supportive moderate-intensity physical activities to improve urban mental health. These findings contribute to culturally relevant exercise recommendations for Nigerian urban populations and inform future intervention designs