BREAST-FEEDING AND ANOVULATORY CYCLE IN SOME RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: A randomised prospective study of 150 breast-feeding and 100 non- breast-feeding postpartum women was conducted in some rural communities in Nigeria, to determine the relationship between breast-feeding and anovulation. Non-breast-feeding postpartum controls experienced early return of menses, ovulation and ultimate pregnancy whereas in the breastfeeding mothers, these parameters were delayed much longer (menses, ovulation and pregnancy more than 12 months). Breast-feeding is shown to be a method of family planning and child spacing among the ruralities covered in the study. In the rural areas of developing countries, where contraceptive use is either low or non-existent, active promotion of breast-feeding is needed to reinforce the traditional method of breast-feeding so as to retain its child spacing as well as maternal and child health benefits. [Ethiop. i. Health Dev. 1993;7(2):93-100

RURAL OPTOMETRY AS AN INTEGRAL PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

The ability to use the eyes to see the world around is regarded by people everywhere as their greatest gift. We rely on our sense of vision more than all of our other senses put together. In 1978, the Alma-Ata Declaration endorsed Primary Health Care (PHC) and established the goal of "Health For All By The Year 2000 (HFA 2000)" (1). PHC is defined as essential health care made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community by means acceptable to them at a cost that the country and community can afford (2). Affordability is a key facet of the approach. Indeed, some have seen it as a cheap option for health care in developing countries. It focuses on the provision of preventive and basic curative care at the lower tiers of the health care system because it is less expensive and potentially more effective in improving health status than the higher technology care health instructions (3). More broadly, the concept of PCH with its emphasis on viewing health development as a part of the whole development process on self reliance, community involvement, should be concerned with the pursuit of social justice through alleviation of health inequalities as is currently being enunciated by the Federal Government of Nigeria through MAMSER (Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery)

The effects of oral vitamin A (retinol) on chemically–induced corneal ulcer in guinea pigs

The effects of the healing propensity of vitamin A (retinol), a vital micro-nutrient were studied on chemically– induced corneal ulcers in guinea pigs. Corneal regeneration following alkaline injury was studied by fluorescent dye staining of the cornea under cobalt blue light, while digital photographs were taken every 6 hours. Results showed that administration of vitamin A syrup reversed the epithelial damage, produced accelerated wound healing, restored the eyelid status, light-reflex and corneal lustre, abolished corneal infiltrates and lacrimation in the treated group while the positive control (untreated) group had slow healing process as the ulceration continued unhindered. It is, therefore, concluded that vitamin A administered systemically facilitates the rate of epithelial regeneration in the cornea following traumatic injury or damage