Correlation of non-biological factors with anthropometric and haemoglobin measurements of children under 10 years old in southeast, Nigeria: Community-based study

Background: Childhood malnutrition also has non-biological determinants and little is known about it. Objective: To determine the differences in children’s height, weight and haemoglobin concentration across different sociodemographic characteristics. Design: The study was a community-based study. The weight and height of the children were measured. The Z-scores were calculated. Blood was taken for haemoglobin estimation. Regression analysis was done to determine correlates. Results: More rural children (32%) have stunting and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). There was no difference in the prevalence of underweight among under urban (32.4%) and rural (33.4%) children. Children from the rural areas were more likely to be moderate-severely anaemic (19.7%) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Household size significantly relates to underweight and childhood anaemia (p = 0.002 and p = 0.036 respectively). Mother’s education were significantly related to tunting and childhood anaemia (p = 0.010 andp = 0.001 respectively). Childhood anaemia was significantly related to mother’s education (p = 0.001) and household (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Maternal age and education, household size and place of resident of a child affect children nutritional status. Improved education, and family planning can contribute to the reduction in the burden of malnutrition

An exploratory study of patients’ perceptions of responsiveness of tertiary health-care services in Southeast Nigeria: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: The achievement of universal health coverage in Nigeria requires evaluating the extent the expectation of those who have utilized health-care services are met. The study assessed the level of clients’ perceived responsiveness of tertiary hospitals in the provision of specialist health-care services in Nigeria.Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients and caregivers of children on admission in three tertiary health facilities in Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 137 respondents using a questionnaire that was adapted from the World Health Organization-structured responsiveness questionnaire. The key variables were on (a) respect for persons (dignity, confidentiality, and autonomy of individual) and (b) client orientation (prompt attention, access to social network during care, quality of basic amenities, and choice of provider), and data were analyzed using multivariate methods.Results: The choice of care provider (80.0%) and autonomy (80.9%) were the lowest perceived responsiveness domains while prompt attention (89.2%) and dignity (87.7%) were rated highest by respondents. Multivariate analysis found significant association between gender and some responsiveness domains such as autonomy (P = 0.024), prompt attention (P = 0.003), and quality of basic amenities (P = 0.015) and between occupation and prompt attention (P = 0.034).Conclusions: Many critical aspects of specialist services in tertiary hospitals do not respond to clients’ need while some do. It is important that poorly performing domains of services are strengthened, especially with upgrading the quality of basic infrastructure so as to improve the performance of the tertiary hospitals.Keywords: Inpatient services, responsiveness, Southeast Nigeria, tertiary hospital

Evaluation of the capacity of Pediatricians in Nigeria to conduct research: A nationwide survey

Background: Research is key to quality healthcare. Clinicians should possess adequate research capacity to generate evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the research capacity of pediatricians in Nigeria.Methods: The study was a crosssectional using a questionnaire developed from the Research Capacity Assessment Framework. Information on previous research work, challenges encountered, and utilization of research outcome were obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Qualitative variables were grouped under thematic headings.Results: Paediatricians who had received grants for research were 21 (19.4%). Those whose research outcomes had informed policy and practice were 20 (18.2%). Less than 40% of the participants had received training on research capacity areas.Conclusion: The research capacity among pediatricians was low partly due to underfunding and lack of research training programs. Improvement on government fund allocation for research and introduction of short research trainings programs will improve research capacity in Nigeria. Key words: Clinical research; Pediatrician; Research Capacity; Policy-Practice Chang