Delegate: Prof MA Komolafe
Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife, Nigeria
Short Bio: I am a Professor of Neurology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife Nigeria and the head of the Multidisciplinary Sleep Medicine Research Team at the University.
The members of my team are working with the hospital management towards the establishment of a sleep laboratory for the investigation of patients with sleep disorder. We as a group also carry out research on pertinent topics in Sleep Medicine in our environment.
A major part of our activities also includes the organization of awareness educational lectures among Long distance drivers, Primary and Secondary School Pupils, Undergraduates and medical students, general practitioners, resident doctors and other health workers on relevant topics in Sleep Medicine.
Activity: 1. Educational Campaign Titled ‘Stay awake at the Wheel’ carried out among the heads of various units of long Distance Drivers in conjunction with the union(Transport Management Systems) in Ile- Ife Osun state, Nigeria. A Focus group discussion held on Friday 10th March followed by an educational Talk on Monday 13th March. There were 60 drivers in attendance. The drivers complained that poor sleep was a major problem among them and attributed it to poor economy , debt and working long hours so as to make more money. Fliers were distributed and participants promised to step down the information given to other drivers in their units. Questions asked included the significance of snoring and the use of drugs to keep awake among drivers. A follow up visit to carry out health screening among the drivers was scheduled for later.
2. Educational campaigns to three schools on the importance of sleep in heath held on Tuesday 14th March, 2023. The Schools were, Obafemi Awolowo University Staff School, Obafemi Awolowo University International School and Moremi High School. There were many questions, the pupils wanted to know if it is good to watch TV before sleeping ?, the effects of not sleeping well as well as what can cause a child to be sleeping excessively. All these questions were addressed, however there were so many questions and the pupils were told to write down the questions for a follow up session.
3. Live Radio Awareness Programme in Yoruba Language held on Tuesday 14th March 2023 at Crown FM radio Station in Ile-Ife. The questions asked were , Can music enhance Sleep, Does the use of an alarm clock have deleterious effect on the body system, and if the use of Multivitamins and supplements good to enhance Sleep?
3. On line Webinar for Parents across Nigeria titled ‘ Healthy Sleep, Healthy Life’ anchored by Dr Tosin Olorunmonteni, Paediatric Neurologist at Obafemi Awolowo University, ILe-Ife and Dr Joy Legbo at Usman Dafodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria This is an interactive session on what parents need to know to promote healthy Sleep in their children and Adolescents.
4. Clinical Seminar for Hospital Workers on the Dangers of Drowsy Driving and the need to take precautionary measures after shift or call duty to be held on Tuesday 21st March, 2023.
Location: Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Date of Activity: March 10 to March 21, 2023
Submitted by: Prof MA Komolafe
