Nigeria 2023: Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni | Obafemi Awolowo University and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife

Delegate: Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni

Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowo University and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife

Short Bio: I am a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist passionate about children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and sleep disorders. I run the Paediatric Neurology clinic at the Ife Hospital Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) where I evaluate children with various neurodevelopmental and sleep disorders. My research interest is mainly in Paediatric Sleep and Neuro-developmental paediatrics, where I have conducted epidemiological studies to elucidate the burden and contributory factors to sleep problems in Nigerian children and adolescents. Furthermore, as a member of the Sleep Research Team in my institution, I conduct multidisciplinary research in Paediatric sleep. I have also been a part of sleep awareness activities carried out by the team from 2016 till date. Our activities are aimed at expanding research in Sleep medicine in our environment and creating awareness about sleep health and sleep disorders.

Activity: I was privileged to conduct a number of Sleep awareness and advocacy programs to commemorate World Sleep Day, 2023. These activities were carried out with members of the Sleep Research Team of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The summary of the activities is as follows:

1. Sleep awareness webinar for Parents on Sleep health among children and adolescents. This webinar was held on 17th March 2023 through a virtual (Zoom) platform. There were 87 participants in the Zoom meeting. Dr Joy Legbo presented on the normal sleep requirements following which I spoke on the topic: Healthy sleep, Healthy Life for children and adolescents. The recording of the webinar can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/GmnSXe8EeeAFmxNccrgVHkStyd_75JgSpo3NGew6k-O39a9WJ8AhsLjmgqJ85_t_.xPJdPVoJZLx2JtAg
Passcode: Sleep+17

2. Sleep awareness complaints among schools in Ile-Ife: We had these awareness programs in three schools on Tuesday, 14th March 2023, but I addressed the students only at the Obafemi Awolowo University International School. I addressed the students on the assembly ground and they were very enthusiastic to know more. They asked questions and we gave posters on drowsy driving to the teachers. The recording of this awareness program is attached to this email. The recording of the awareness program held for secondary students can be obtained through this vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/811807893
or through the google drive link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DKaP6L1VBABV2t3fpe13PCtj0Oubefvm/view?usp=drivesdk
3. Sleep awareness campaign for long-distance commercial drivers in Ile-Ife: It was held on the 10th and 13th of March 2023. On the first day of the awareness, I conducted a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) among the Executives of the Drivers’ Association (Transport Management System). There were thirteen (13) members of the executive present, representing six (6) motor parks. The FGD helped to understand the perception of the drivers on drowsy driving, the causes and its effect on the safety of the drivers while at the wheel. On the second day of the awareness, we conducted a health talk among the drivers at a central meeting venue where drivers’ representatives were present. There were about 60 drivers in attendance. The drivers admitted that sleep is essential for health but believed that drowsy driving was common among the drivers. They asked questions about snoring and its effect on sleep and reported poor financial support, the need to pay loans and lack of insurance as the factors contributing to poor sleep among drivers.

Location: Ile-Ife, Nigeria and the Virtual space with participants from different parts of the world

Date of Activity: 10th-17th March 2023

Submitted by: Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni