Attitude and Barriers to the Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Background: Attitude and barriers to the management of childhood and adolescent obesity were assessed. Methodology: This study was conducted in 3 places. This includes: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Ogbete Main Market Enugu and Ituku village all in Enugu state. The primary data were collected from members of  the respondents through the use of structured questionnaires administered personally by the researchers. A sample of 200 respondents was chosen which included civil servants traders, farmers, housewives, students, and contract workers. The data analysis was performed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16. Frequency distributions were run on all variables and were completed separately for each occupational group. Result: shows that amongst the respondents, 22% believed that childhood and adolescent obesity increases the risk of obesity in adulthood, 9.5% believed that it is the leading cause of pediatrics hypertension, 15% said that it is associated with type II diabetes in adulthood, 9.5% believed that it increases the risk of coronary heart disease, 2% said that it increases the stress of weight bearing joints, 25% believed that it lowers self esteem, and affects the relationships with peers while 7% believed that childhood and adolescent obesity has negative impact on child health. Also, it was found that amongst the accepted methods used in the management of childhood and adolescent obesity, 53% of the respondents accepted dietary method, 39.5% accepted physical activity, 6.5% accepted pharmacological therapy while 1% accepted bariatric surgery. Among the accepted methods, it shows that dietary method is more likely accepted, followed by physical activity (39.5%), Pharmacological therapy (13%) and bariatric surgery (2%) respectively. Significant differences were found among the accepted methods (P < 0.05). Amongst the unaccepted methods bariatric surgery was more likely not be accepted, followed by pharmacological therapy, physical activity and dietary management respectively and the acceptance differs significantly (P < 0.05). Keywords: Attitude, Barriers, Management, Childhood, Adolescent, Obesit

Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices of Mothers of Children (0 – 24 Months) Attending Infant Welfare Clinice (IWC) at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) University of Nigerian Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla Enugu

Background: The study investigated the breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of mothers of children (0-24months) attending the Infant Welfare Clinic (IWC) at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. The study aimed; to access the infant feeding knowledge of mothers, to ascertain the time of introduction of complementary feeds by mothers, to assess the quality of the complementary feeds used by mothers and to ascertain the period of breastfeeding cessation by the mothers. Methodology: The research involved a cohort study of the breastfeeding and complementary feeding pattern of mothers of children (0-24months) attending the Infant Welfare Clinic (IWC) situated at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu The study was carried out through the evaluation of the knowledge, and practices of the mothers. Structured interview schedule was used to collect information on the mothers' knowledge, and practices of breast feeding and complementary feeding recommendations. Result: Analysis of data revealed that the breastfeeding practices of the mothers varied. Ninety mothers (45%) gave breastmilk alone, only 25 (12.5%) of these children were up to six months. Sixty five (32.5%) of these children who are receiving breastmilk alone were still under six months of age. Majority (26.7%) of the mothers who were no longer breastfeeding stopped between 6 and 8 months of age, while 139(74.4) among the breastfeeding mothers planned to stop breastfeeding between the ages of 12 and 23months. Thirty one mothers (16.7%) planned to breastfeed their children up to 24 months and beyond. Eighty (40%) mothers had introduced their children to complementary feeds and time of introduction of complementary feeds varied among the mothers. Corn gruel (pap) was a common complementary feed used by majority of the mothers 50(62.5%). Very few mothers 18(22.5%) enrich the complementary feeds with sugar and oil and only 14 (17.5%) mothers used feeding bottles to feed their children. Fifty eight mothers (72.5%) had introduced their children to the family foods. A consistent positive relationship existed between mother's education and frequency of breastfeeding; type of birth and exclusive breastfeeding and birth order; mother's educational background and exclusive breastfeeding; frequency of breastfeeding with age of introducing complementary feeding and when to stop breastfeeding with mother's occupation and educational background respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the researchers concluded that although breastfeeding remains a universal practice by women, the Infant and young child feeding practices observed in this study are far from optimal. The finding showed that although breastfeeding is common amongst the mothers, it is rarely optimal. The mothers use mainly pap made from cereals as complementary feeds instead of using different varieties of our locally available foods, as was the practice prior to the rampant use of the maize gruels. The mothers had insufficient knowledge of use of sugar and oil to enrich the complementary feeds. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Practices, Mothers, Childre

Assessment of patients knowledge and attitude towards diabetes and its relationship with glycemic control: a cross-sectional study in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: It is postulated that increased knowledge of patients about diabetes as well as a positive attitude will lead to improved glycaemic control and better outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of diabetic patients in a tertiary hospital in Enugu and the relationship with their glycaemic control.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done using a structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data and assess knowledge and attitude to diabetes on consecutive patients attending the outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital. Responses were scored with equal weighting. The fasting blood glucose of the patients was measured and recorded.Result: There were 51(60.7%) females and 33 (39.3%) males, with majority (63.1%) in the age range 41 -64 years and 32(38.1%) had only primary education. The mean knowledge score was 6.19 ± 2.08 and 33(39.3%) demonstrated good knowledge. Knowledge did not differ between males and females (p=0.34), but was highest in those with tertiary education (p = 0.02). Positive attitude to the condition was recorded in 63(75%) subjects. There was poor correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = -0.161, p= 0.14). Those with good knowledge scores were 2 times more likely to have good glycaemic control compared with those with poor knowledge; OR = 2.015, p = 0.02. There was no significant difference between the glycemic control of those with good attitude and those with poor attitude (p= 0.08).Conclusion: Although overall knowledge was poor, patients had a good attitude to their illness. Knowledge, but not attitude was significantly positively associated with glycemic control.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Knowledge, Attitude, Glycaemic contro