Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in Nigerian preschool children subsisting on high intakes of carotenes

The prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency was determined in 204 preschool children of both sexes aged 3–57 months. The children were recruited from 2 rural communities of Atakumosa Local Government Area of Osun State in South West Nigeria. Dietary vitamin A intake was estimated from frequency of consumption of locally available vitamin A containing food items. Vitamin A status of the children was assessed from concentration of retinol in plasma. Nutritional status was assessed from height and weight compared with international reference standards. The results indicate widespread malnutrition among the children. The prevalence of stunting (low height for age) was 60.8% while prevalence of wasting (low weight for height) was 7.4% and of underweight (low weight for age) 27.5%. Dietary vitamin A intake appeared to be adequate in the children. Intake of vitamin A is predominantly from plant sources. At least 43% of the children consumed the carotene rich red palm oil 6 or more times per week in contrast to less than 1% who consumed eggs or milk for 6 or more times per week. Vitamin A deficiency was low in the children. Only 11.3% of the children had plasma retinol concentration <0.70µmol/L. The results indicate that childhood malnutrition of public health magnitude can coexist with adequate dietary vitamin A intakes or vitamin A status

Unavailability of Essential Obstetric Care Services in a Local Government Area of South-West Nigeria

This paper reports the findings at baseline in a multi-phase project that aimed at reducing maternal morta-lity in a local government area (LGA) of South-West Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the avail-ability of essential obstetric care (EOC) services in the LGA and to assess the quality of existing services. The first phase of this interventional study, which is the focus of this paper, consisted of a baseline health facility and needs assessment survey using instruments adapted from the United Nations guidelines. Twenty-one of 26 health facilities surveyed were public facilities, and five were privately owned. None of the facilities met the criteria for a basic EOC facility, while only one private facility met the criteria for a comprehensive EOC facility. Three facilities employed a nurse and/or a midwife, while unskilled health attendants manned 46% of the facilities. No health worker in the LGA had ever been trained in lifesaving skills. There was a widespread lack of basic EOC equipment and supplies. The study concluded that there were major deficiencies in the supply side of obstetric care services in the LGA, and EOC was almost non-existent. This result has implications for interventions for the reduction of maternal mortality in the LGA and in Nigeria

Effect of Duration and Frequency of Breast-Feeding on Postpartum Amenorrhea

The relationships among duration and frequency of breast-feeding, age, level of education, and parity on postpartum amenorrhea were investigated retrospectively in selected married Nigerian women attending the two local maternity centers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between January and May 1980. The mean values for duration and frequency of breast-feeding per day were 16.48 ± 5.43 (SD) months and 4.43 ± 1.46 (SD), respectively. The mean length of postpartum amenorrhea was 12.54 ± 6.97 (SD) months. Duration and frequency of breast-feeding were positively related to length of postpartum amenorrhea, whereas parity and years of maternal education were negatively related to it. Duration and frequency of breast-feeding were statistically significant (P &amp;lt; .05), whereas maternal level of education, parity, and age were not. The implications of the findings for pediatricians and other health workers who may wish to promote breast-feeding among their nursing clients are highlighted.</jats:p

Prevalence of obesity among adolescents in Ile‑Ife, Osun state, Nigeria using body mass index and waist hip ratio: A comparative study

Background: Obesity is a global epidemic not just among adults but also among children and adolescents. This study described the prevalence and pattern of obesity among in‑school adolescents in Ile‑Ife, Osun State using two standard methods, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) with a view of comparing the two methods as well as identifying any correlation between the two methods. Materials and Methods: Five hundred male and female respondents, aged 10-19 years, were randomly selected through a multistage sampling technique from private and public schools in Ife Central Local Government Area. Quantitative data were collected with the aid of a pre‑tested, semi‑structured, self‑administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of respondents, BMI and WHR, were recorded. Chi square and linear regression analyses were used. Statistical significance was tested at the 5% level. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 4.2% using BMI of which 12 (57.1%) were females and nine (42.9%) were males. There was significant association between sex and BMI, χ2 = 9.490 (P = 0.020). Using WHR, the prevalence was 37.2% of which 180 (96.8%) were females and six (3.2%) were males. There was also significant association between sex and WHR (P &lt; 0.001). Weak correlation (r = 0.02) was found between BMI and WHR among the females, P = 0.043. Conclusion: There was a difference in the prevalence of obesity using the two methods. Although, the correlation between the two methods was weak among females, WHR yielded a higher prevalence for obesity with remarkable difference especially among the females. Prevention of adolescent obesity should be encouraged especially among females.Keywords: Adolescents, body mass index, comparative, obesity, pattern, prevalence, waist hip ratioNigerian Medical Journal | Vol. 54 | Issue 3 | May-June | 201