This
book (Which debuts on Asabeafrika today) was brought about
by the sudden death of two clan’s men of the author and the maiming of his very
close friend. Both clans’ men died within
two weeks of each other, reportedly from stroke and heart attack. The friend was maimed by hypertension. Sudden death or maiming of any individual is
a common source of terrifying news, which usually goes far and wide when a
popular person is involved. At community
and national levels, sudden death or maiming of outstanding individuals has
become a rather common occurrence, if not a near epidemic proportion in
Nigeria. The problem is certainly not
limited to the very well-to-do Nigerians.
book (Which debuts on Asabeafrika today) was brought about
by the sudden death of two clan’s men of the author and the maiming of his very
close friend. Both clans’ men died within
two weeks of each other, reportedly from stroke and heart attack. The friend was maimed by hypertension. Sudden death or maiming of any individual is
a common source of terrifying news, which usually goes far and wide when a
popular person is involved. At community
and national levels, sudden death or maiming of outstanding individuals has
become a rather common occurrence, if not a near epidemic proportion in
Nigeria. The problem is certainly not
limited to the very well-to-do Nigerians.
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However,
the frequency of these conditions among middle class Nigerians, as loosely
defined in this book, has left this expanding group literally gripped by a near
open sense of insecurity, a lingering fear that “it can be my turn next”. Everyone knows a number of relatives, friends
and acquaintances who have recently suffered a similar fate. This high state of anxiety tends to be fueled
by inadequate knowledge of the causes and the ways to avoid these catastrophes. A well-founded axiom in health education is:
“No disease is more dangerous to health than ignorance”. At this stage, there is no way to tell how
much the fear of being a possible victim may contribute to the occurrence and
severity of stroke and heart attack among Nigerians. One thing is sure: an important void exists
in the area of knowledge, including what can be done about the situation. This is probably the reason for the
underlying fear or anxiety.
the frequency of these conditions among middle class Nigerians, as loosely
defined in this book, has left this expanding group literally gripped by a near
open sense of insecurity, a lingering fear that “it can be my turn next”. Everyone knows a number of relatives, friends
and acquaintances who have recently suffered a similar fate. This high state of anxiety tends to be fueled
by inadequate knowledge of the causes and the ways to avoid these catastrophes. A well-founded axiom in health education is:
“No disease is more dangerous to health than ignorance”. At this stage, there is no way to tell how
much the fear of being a possible victim may contribute to the occurrence and
severity of stroke and heart attack among Nigerians. One thing is sure: an important void exists
in the area of knowledge, including what can be done about the situation. This is probably the reason for the
underlying fear or anxiety.
“A well-founded axiom
in health education is: “No disease is more dangerous to health than
ignorance”. At this stage, there is no
way to tell how much the fear of being a possible victim may contribute to the
occurrence and severity of stroke and heart attack among Nigerians”.
This
book is therefore a start in the effort to fill that void, though with some
problem!
book is therefore a start in the effort to fill that void, though with some
problem!
First,
the void was realized almost as suddenly as the deaths that gave birth to this
book, about two weeks to the author’s planned visit to Nigeria. The intension was to write the book quickly
enough for publication during the author’s visit. It was also intended for the book to be short
enough for the average reader to be able to read through easily and remain a
reference handbook. These two conditions
created the problems of time and space, which usually do not augur well for
excellence and adequacy of coverage. However, the author has tried hard to
achieve both goals, the odds notwithstanding.
the void was realized almost as suddenly as the deaths that gave birth to this
book, about two weeks to the author’s planned visit to Nigeria. The intension was to write the book quickly
enough for publication during the author’s visit. It was also intended for the book to be short
enough for the average reader to be able to read through easily and remain a
reference handbook. These two conditions
created the problems of time and space, which usually do not augur well for
excellence and adequacy of coverage. However, the author has tried hard to
achieve both goals, the odds notwithstanding.
The
second and probably more serious problem was how to effectively communicate
largely medical information to an audience that is largely without a medical
background. Over simplification of
relevant medical concepts and terminologies may distort the information while
efforts to be intellectually exact might involve too many medical jargons that
will be confusing. Also, there is the
concern that the reading standard of many of the potential audience may be
relatively modest. Conscious of these
communication problems, the author has tried to strike a fair medium but not
quite sure how well this goal has been achieved. A feedback on this and any other aspect of this
work will be appreciated for future revision.
second and probably more serious problem was how to effectively communicate
largely medical information to an audience that is largely without a medical
background. Over simplification of
relevant medical concepts and terminologies may distort the information while
efforts to be intellectually exact might involve too many medical jargons that
will be confusing. Also, there is the
concern that the reading standard of many of the potential audience may be
relatively modest. Conscious of these
communication problems, the author has tried to strike a fair medium but not
quite sure how well this goal has been achieved. A feedback on this and any other aspect of this
work will be appreciated for future revision.
By Professor Tony E. Isenalumhe, Author of the
Book;
Book;
“Early
and Sudden Death: The Price of Affluence among Nigerians”
and Sudden Death: The Price of Affluence among Nigerians”
(Read the full series
as it debuts on Asabeafrika tomorrow)
as it debuts on Asabeafrika tomorrow)
Asabeafrika’s
Read-to-Live Series
Read-to-Live Series
