CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND NUTRIENT ADEQUACY OF MAIZE GRUEL (PAP) SUPPLEMENTED WITH OTHER FOOD SOURCES IN NGOR-OKPALA LGA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition and nutrient adequacy of maize gruel (pap) supplemented with common food sources by mothers in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area. Thirty-two (32) rural women each of whom had a child between 6 and 24 months participated in a focus group discussion. Common food sources used to complement pap were identified and analysed. Proximate, vitamin and mineral contents were determined using standard methods. Values were also compared with 65g estimates of the diets to determine its adequacy for infants. Data from the focus group were recorded in note books and audio tapes and later transcribed. Differences in the nutrient content of pap and pap mixes were determined using ANOVA. The common food sources added to pap from the focus group discussion were infant formula (PMILK), ground crayfish (PCRA), ground soybean (PSOY) and groundnut paste (PGRA). The protein content ranged from 2.17-28.70g, fat (0.80-25.05g), carbohydrate (46.11-95.98g), and energy (409.16-490-17kcal). Based on 65g estimates of the analysed pap and pap mixes, PSOY and PGRA met the fat requirements, while PCRA, PSOY and PGRA met protein requirement. The energy and mineral content of pap and pap mixes were found to be inadequate. Fortification of the local pap and pap mixes is therefore recommended.   Keywords: Maize gruel, pap, soybean, groundnut, crayfis

A Study on Workplace Violence Against Health Workers in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

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Urban–Rural Differences in Health-Care-Seeking Pattern of Residents of Abia State, Nigeria, and the Implication in the Control of NCDs

Background Understanding the differences in care-seeking pattern is key in designing interventions aimed at improving health-care service delivery, including prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the differences and determinants of care-seeking patterns of urban and rural residents in Abia State in southeast Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional, community-based, study involving 2999 respondents aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using the modified World Health Organization's STEPS questionnaire, including data on care seeking following the onset of illness. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to analyze care-seeking behavior and to identify differences among those seeking care in urban and rural areas. Results In both urban and rural areas, patent medicine vendors (73.0%) were the most common sources of primary care following the onset of illness, while only 20.0% of the participants used formal care. Significant predictors of difference in care-seeking practices between residents in urban and rural communities were educational status, income, occupation, and body mass index. Conclusions Efforts should be made to reduce barriers to formal health-care service utilization in the state by increasing health insurance coverage, strengthening the health-care system, and increasing the role of patent medicine vendors in the formal health-care delivery system