Factors associated with low rate of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding has proven to be beneficial both maternal and child health hence its adopted as a policy for infant feeding in most countries especially developing nations. Its practice has remained low despite the high levels of awareness of exclusive breastfeeding. The study set out to find out the possible reasons that have limited the translation of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding to action by nursing mothers in an urban city in Nigeria.Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 304 mothers attending immunization clinics of the Institute of maternal and child health in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.Results: Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding was 98% with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 26%. The commonest non-human milk given to infant was water- given in the first week of life. Post-natal support from lactation experts and family, beliefs about the sufficiency of human milk and subsequent refusal of complementary foods were major challenges to successful exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal age and education did not determine exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding rates have remained low in Nigeria. Lack of family support and the belief that human milk is not sufficient food for the less-than-six-months-old infant were major challenges to exclusive breastfeeding

Mothers' beliefs about infant teething in Enugu, South-east Nigeria: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Parents and Health Care Workers have traditionally attributed a variety of symptoms to teething in young children. Some of these symptoms may however connote underlying serious medical condition in a child. There is little evidence to support these beliefs despite their implications on management of a symptomatic teething child. This study therefore seeks determine the beliefs and problems mothers associate with teething in Enugu, South-east Nigeria.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey involving sixty mothers presenting at a Children's clinic in Enugu metropolis using questionnaire. More than 90% of the respondents thought that babies can experience medical problems as a result of teething. The commonest medical problems perceived to be associated with teething were fever (71.7%), loose stools (58.3%) and vomiting (35%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mothers still associate a variety of symptoms of childhood illnesses to teething and this association is not evidence based and could lead to delayed interventions, increased morbidity and mortality of children. It is important therefore that mothers and health workers caring for young children are educated on the need to seek prompt medical attentions in a symptomatic child.</p

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV: the pre-rapid advice experience of the university of Nigeria teaching hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, South-east Nigeria

Abstract Background Mother-to-child transmission of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) is the most common route of HIV transmission in the pediatric age group. A number of risk factors contribute to the rate of this transmission. Such risk factors include advance maternal HIV disease, lack of anti-viral prophylaxis in the mother and child, mixing of maternal and infant blood during delivery and breastfeeding. This study aims to determine the cumulative HIV infection rate by 18 months and the associated risk factors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Results A retrospective study, involving HIV exposed infants seen at the pediatric HIV clinic of UNTH between March 2006 and September 2008. Relevant data were retrieved from their medical records. The overall rate of mother to child transmission of HIV in this study was 3.9% (95% CI 1.1%- 6.7%). However, in children breastfed for 3 months or less, the rate of transmission was 10% (95% CI −2.5%-22.5%), compared to 3.5% (95% CI 0.5%-6.5%) in children that had exclusive replacement feeding. Conclusions This retrospective observational study shows a 3.9% cumulative rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 18 months of age in Enugu. Holistic but cost effective preventive interventions help in reducing the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV even in economically-developing settings like Nigeria.</p

Nutritional status of primary school children in Enugu, Nigeria using anthropometric measurements

Background: The survival and wellbeing of children is largely dependent on nutrition. Malnutrition in children can co-exist as under- and over-nutrition in the same population with varying attendant medical risks.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of primary school children in Enugu North LGA, using anthropometry.Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study involving primary school children aged 6-12years in Enugu. Subjects were selected using multistage sampling technique over a 3 month period. Weight and height were measured using a digital scale and a wooden stadiometer, respectively. Weight-for-age, Height- for -age and Body Mass Index-for-age z scores were then derived using the new WHO reference standards.Results: Three hundred and forty eight (40.4%) children were recruited from public schools while 512 (59.6%) were recruited from private schools. The mean age of the study subjects was 9.18 ± 1.79 years. Seven (0.8%) children were stunted, 26 (3.3%) wasted and 28 (3.3%) underweight. Overweight and obesity were observed in 73 (8.5%) and 35 (4.1%) children, respectively. Under-nutrition was more prevalent in children aged 12 years (P= 0.001) whereas males were found to be more obese than females (P= 0.02).Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of under nutrition. However, overweight and obesity appear to be emerging as nutritional problems.Keywords: Nutrition, Obesity, Stunting, Underweight, Wasting, Anthropometr

Paracetamol use (and/or misuse) in children in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is the commonest available analgesic and anti-pyretic. It is readily accessed from pharmacy, patent medicine and provision shops as over the counter drug making it a potential drug of abuse, especially in children. We sought to find its use and/or misuse in children seen at the paediatric outpatient clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To determine the dosage, formulation, and frequency of paracetamol administration to children by caregivers and factors associated with its use and/or misuse.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>An observational prospective study involving 231 children and their caregivers seen at the paediatric outpatient clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku - Ozalla, Enugu between June and November 2011 was undertaken. Data on paracetamol use before presentation to the clinic, in addition to demographic and other data were obtained from the caregivers using a structured questionnaire. Ethical consent for the study was obtained from the Hospital Ethics and Research Committee and informed consent was further obtained from the caregivers of the children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 231 children aged six weeks to 16 years and their caregivers participated in this study. The mean ages of the children and their caregivers were 3.8 and 33.9 years, respectively. One hundred and thirty three of the children studied were males while 98 were females. Most of the children (75.6%) received paracetamol at home before presenting. Paracetamol tablet alone or in combination with the syrup was mostly used (60%) and this observation was made across all age groups. The commonest reason for using paracetamol tablet instead of the syrup was that it was more effective. Most caregivers relied on past experience (71.2%) rather than on enclosed information leaflet to decide the appropriate dosage. Half of the children also received other medications, mainly anti-malarials and antibiotics.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Paracetamol was commonly given to children on “self prescription” basis and the tablet formulation was most frequently used, with the possibility of misuse and overdose. Caregivers need to be educated on age-appropriate formulations which are less likely to lead to overdose.</p