Evaluation of nutrients and anti-nutrient properties of traditionally prepared Treculia africana decne (bread fruit diet and toasted seeds)

Protein deficiency affects more than 170 million pre-school children and nursing mothers in developing countries creating a need for a strategy to improve the nutritional status of their diet through supplementation with plant proteins. The nutritional value of Treculia africana (African Breadfruit) has been extensively studied under laboratory conditions. Although the Breadfruit tree grows wildly in some West and Central African countries, and its seeds eaten in various forms by the populace, there has not been an attempt to evaluate its nutritive value as prepared at the home level. The goal of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the nutritive value of the seeds as indigenously prepared by the general populace in order to determine the suitability of its use as a good complementary diet. The raw seeds purchased in the Ikenne local government area (LGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria were subjected to cooking and toasting methods (using firewood) as practiced in the area. A proximate analysis was performed on the three samples (Raw, Cooked and Toasted) in order to evaluate the composition and some anti-nutritional factors of the Breadfruit seeds. Results showed that the cooked and toasted samples had better nutritive values as compared with the raw seeds; the mean % protein content of the raw, cooked and toasted samples were 16.32±0.09, 18.25 ±0.00 and 17.22±0.04, respectively. Ash content was 1.36±0.057, 1.86±0.042 and 1.83±0.007, respectively, fat was 10.98±0.071, 11.50±0.134 and 13.74±0.233, respectively and crude fiber was 1.25±0.007, 2.13±0.014 and 2.39±0.064, respectively. The tannin level was higher in cooked and toasted seeds than in the raw seeds but was not in toxic amounts (1.19gm, 3.50 and 2.32 in the raw, cooked and toasted seeds, respectively). Phytate levels were generally lower in the cooked and toasted seeds; at 2.85%, 1.99%, and 2.24% for raw, cooked and toasted seeds, respectively. This study showed that the two major modes of preparation of the African Breadfruit seeds retained high levels of nutrients with lower levels of anti-nutrients. The resulting meal/snack will be useful as a good complementary diet for the African child, especially in areas where it grows wildly as it will provide a more viable alternative to the currently known and consumed weaning diets among the rural population. Toasting the African Breadfruit seed will be particularly helpful for working mothers who require ready to eat food as the moisture content was lowered (and by extension the shelf life increased) by this method of processing.Keywords: Toasting, Proximate composition, Anti-nutritional factors, African Breadfruit, Complementary die

INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING PRACTICES IN THE EAST END OF FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

Adequate dietary intake may be a major determinant of the health outcome of children. This study aims at describing the infant and young child feeding practices amongst a group of mothers, factors affecting such practices and the effect of the practice on the nutritional status of the children.Semi-closed ended questionnaire was used to address some of the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators among the three hundred and forty-seven mothers.Almost all of the index children in this study were breastfed with a majority within 30 minutes of delivery. Breast milk was the first drink in 79.8% of cases, and Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 26.3%. Breastfeeding for less than six months tends to be more prevalent among the low socioeconomic group and those who had Antenatal Care in the private clinics. Complimentary feeds for the majority of the children consisted mainly of cereal based gruels. There was a positive correlation between the nutritional status and the first drink, educational level of mother and length of breastfeeding.Poor infant and young child feeding practices impinged negatively on the nutritional status of the children. Improved training of health care workers, female education, and empowerment are recommended.

Neonatal malaria in Nigeria -a 2 year review

BACKGROUND: In view of the fact that a significant proportion of neonates with malaria may be missed on our wards on the assumption that the disease condition is rare, this study aims at documenting the prevalence of malaria in neonates admitted into our neonatal ward. Specifically, we hope to describe its clinical features and outcome of this illness. Knowledge of these may ensure early diagnosis and institution of prompt management. METHODS: Methods Hospital records of all patients (two hundred and thirty) admitted into the Neonatal ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu between 1st January 1998 and 31(st )December 1999 were reviewed. All neonates (fifty-seven) who had a positive blood smear for the malaria parasite were included in the study. Socio-demographic data as well as clinical correlates of each of the patients were reviewed. The Epi-Info 6 statistical software was used for data entry, validation and analysis. A frequency distribution was generated for categorical variables. To test for an association between categorical variables, the chi-square test was used. The level of significance was put at values less than 5%. RESULTS: Prevalence of neonatal malaria in this study was 24.8% and 17.4% for congenital malaria. While the mean duration of illness was 3.60 days, it varied from 5.14 days in those that died and and 3.55 in those that survived respectively. The duration of illness significantly affected the outcome (p value = 0.03). Fever alone was the clinical presentation in 44 (77.4%) of the patients. Maturity of the baby, sex and age did not significantly affect infestation. However, history of malaria/febrile illness within the 2 weeks preceding the delivery was present in 61.2% of the mothers. Maternal age, concurrent infection and duration of illness all significantly affected the outcome of illness. Forty-two (73.7%) of the babies were discharged home in satisfactory condition. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that taking a blood smear to check for the presence of the malaria parasite should be included as part of routine workup for all neonates with fever or those whose mothers have history of fever two weeks prior to delivery. In addition, health education of pregnant mothers in the antenatal clinic should include early care-seeking for newborns

Bypassing shortages of personal protective equipment in low-income settings using local production and open source tools

Free and open-source hardware, 3D printing, and the use of locally sourced materials can be valuable tools for local problem solving, as proven by the production of more than 400 reusable face shields and masks in a Nigerian community to bypass PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic

Congenital malaria in Urabá, Colombia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Congenital malaria has been considered a rare event; however, recent reports have shown frequencies ranging from 3% to 54.2% among newborns of mothers who had suffered malaria during pregnancy. There are only a few references concerning the epidemiological impact of this entity in Latin-America and Colombia.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The aim of the study was to measure the prevalence of congenital malaria in an endemic Colombian region and to determine some of its characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective, descriptive study was carried out in the mothers who suffered malaria during pregnancy and their newborns. Neonates were clinically evaluated at birth and screened for <it>Plasmodium spp</it>. infection by thick smear from the umbilical cord and peripheral blood, and followed-up weekly during the first 21 days of postnatal life through clinical examinations and thick smears.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>116 newborns were included in the study and 80 umbilical cord samples were obtained. Five cases of congenital infection were identified (four caused by <it>P. vivax </it>and one by <it>P. falciparum</it>), two in umbilical cord blood and three in newborn peripheral blood. One case was diagnosed at birth and the others during follow-up. Prevalence of congenital infection was 4.3%. One of the infected newborns was severely ill, while the others were asymptomatic and apparently healthy. The mothers of the newborns with congenital malaria had been diagnosed with malaria in the last trimester of pregnancy or during delivery, and also presented placental infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Congenital malaria may be a frequent event in newborns of mothers who have suffered malaria during pregnancy in Colombia. An association was found between congenital malaria and the diagnosis of malaria in the mother during the last trimester of pregnancy or during delivery, and the presence of placental infection.</p

Malaria resistance

Malaria has remained the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children below the age of five years in Sub-Saharan Africa where the disease is endemic. Pregnant women and non-immune immigrants are among the vulnerable groups for this disease. It continues to be the leading cause of out-patient attendance in the region. The disease often results in loss of man-hours, school absenteeism etc. Its effect however, goes beyond the social life of the stricken individuals. The economy of the nation is also threatened. However, while some children readily die from the disease, others living in the same environment suffer minimally or no episode of malaria within the year. This article shall attempt to review what determines the number of episodes, and severity of disease in an apparently similar group of people. Some individuals with certain characteristic traits are protected form developing severe forms of the disease. Some of these traits are innate while others are acquired or even stimulated. The innate traits result from genetic mutations. They include sickle-cell trait, duffy –ve, &#945;- thalassemia, Hb C. Others are acquired following prolonged periods of exposure. The period of exposure allows the individual to develop antibodies against the different antigens on the surface of the parasite. Smallpox vaccine has been found to offer protection against this deadly disease. Age and puberty have been found to contribute to malaria resistance. It is expected that knowledge of natural resistance to malaria may aid in developing Vaccines against this deadly disease. Keywords: malaria resistance, puberty, malaria economy, malaria vaccine Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(5) 2006: 133-14

Study on prevalence and nutritional effect of Helminthis infection in pre-school rural children in Nigeria

Helminthiasis and malnutrition have remained major problems especially in the tropics. In view of this, this study sets out to determine the relationship between Helminthic infection and nutritional status of preschool children in the rural area where majority of them live as well as the prevalence of Helminthic infection. The study was a community-based cross sectional survey. Three hundred and five children attending a daycare centre and pre-primary home lessons in a rural community- Ode Remo, Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria were recruited for the study. Out of these, fecal samples from only two hundred and twenty-six of them were considered suitable for analysis. Saline suspension of stool specimens from the children was examined under the microscope. The stool specimens were positive for intestinal helminth in 116 cases (51.3%). Of this, the majority with positive yield, forty-eight (41.3%) was from age group 48-60 months. Eighty-six (74.1%) of the children whose stool was positive for helminth were malnourished. Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest intestinal helminth in 38.1% of the cases. There is a strong association between parasitic infection and malnutrition (&#967;2=13.84, p value=0.02). In conclusion, helminthiasis remains a common health problem among preschool children in the rural area. Its association with malnutrition dictates that urgent steps need to be taken to prevent children from being infested if under-five mortality is to be reduced. This may be achieved through improvement in sanitary conditions of the environment, and nutrition of the child.Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (1) 2008: pp.16-2

Male involvement in breastfeeding promotion and protection: an assessment of male undergraduates’ views in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria: Breastfeeding and young men in Sagamu

Objective: Breastfeeding is a cost-effective and evidence-based public health intervention for the control of childhood malnutrition and its consequences. Partners’ support and attitude towards breastfeeding is an important determinant of breastfeeding initiation, continuity, and outcome. This study assessed the perception of breastfeeding and its support among male students in Sagamu, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 male undergraduate students in Sagamu, selected via systematic sampling. Data were collected with the aid of a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 21.0, with results presented as frequencies and proportions.&nbsp; Result: The mean age of respondents was 20±3.5 years. All respondents felt it was important for women to breastfeed their infants; 42% of respondents felt breastfeeding interfered with work; 20% felt women should be entitled to paid maternity leave; 85% will support efforts to promote breastfeeding in public; 95% will encourage their partners to breastfeed while working outside the home; 92% will assist their breastfeeding partners with household chores. Conclusion: Respondents had a good perception of breastfeeding and were willing to support its practice at home, work, and in the community. Adequate engagement of men in nutrition education activities will be most effective in promoting and protecting breastfeeding

Adolescents Perception of Contributory Factors and Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy in a Semi-Urban Local Government in South West Nigeria

Pregnancy before the age of 20 years is termed Teenage Pregnancy. Although teenage pregnancy is a global phenomenon, it is more prevalent in the low and mid income countries. However, there is a dearth of literature on qualitative assessment of this condition especially among non-pregnant teenagers. This study therefore sets out to document the perception of contributory factors and suggestions for prevention of Teenage Pregnancy based on a focus group discussion with teenagers in semi-urban local government in South West Nigeria. This study was cross sectional descriptive qualitative study that involved 29 adolescents in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) within a semi-urban local government in South West Nigeria. The male female ratio was1:1.07. Age range of the participants was 11 to 19 years mean 15:76+2:85 years. The discussion in each group was 20-50 minutes. The thematic phenomenological approach was used in the analysis of the transcripts. Teenage Pregnancy&nbsp; was common in the communities. Peer influence, lack of parental control due to poverty, lack of education and negligence, inadequate government support for&nbsp; education and lack of motivation in the girl child were identified by the girls as contributory factors to teenage pregnancy. Female empowerment, government support for girl child education and appropriate reward for moral and academic excellence were recommended to ensure the girl child remain focused Key words: Teenage Pregnancy, Nigeria, Semi-Urban, Qualitative Stud