Breastfeeding in the community : how can partners/fathers help? : a systematic review

Support from partners/fathers and families can play a significant role in a mother’s decision to initiate, continue or cease breastfeeding postnatally. This study systematically reviewed published studies to determine the impact of specific types of partner support on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. We used the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for the review. Seven computerized bibliographic databases (Embase, ProQuest Central, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed and CINAHL) were searched. Of a total of 695 articles retrieved from the databases, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and reported on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. Four of the seven studies found that partner support in the form of verbal encouragement to new mothers increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Other types of partner supportive actions that led to improved breastfeeding behavior included sensitivity of the partner to the nursing mother’s needs, assistance in preventing and managing breastfeeding difficulties, and helping with household and child care duties. This review showed that specific supportive actions of partners/fathers in the community positively improved breastfeeding practices. To maximise the impact of breastfeeding policies and interventions among new mothers, breastfeeding programmes should consider the involvement of partners/fathers and their specific roles

Facility Readiness for Childhood Routine Immunization Services in Primary Healthcare Centres in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Background and objective of study: immunization remains an essential strategy for reducing mortalities and morbidities due to vaccine preventable diseases. Immunization service delivery is dependent on planning of immunization sessions, and Supervision of the immunization process as this is very important in order to achieve immunization coverage target.Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was utilised. This was done using an observational check list guide which was developed by the researcher and utilised for assessment of facility readiness for routine immunization service delivery. It was used to assess the facilities, amenities and logistics utilised in the immunization services process and also the functionality of the amenities. It was utilised in 35 Primary health care centres in the 3 Local Government Areas.Results: Thirty two (91.4%) had sufficient staff offering immunization and 22 (62.9%) had sufficient seats for clients. All the facilities had supervisory visits by the government. Thirty three (94.3%) had health talks before immunization and 25 (71.4%) had an alternate functional source of power supply readily availableConclusion: Only 3 of the PHCs were ready for routine immunization service delivery while 32 were partially ready for immunizatio

Maternal satisfaction with childhood immunization services in primary health care centres in Edo State, Nigeria

Maternal satisfaction is one of the most important factors determining the utilization of childhood routine immunization services.Dissatisfaction with immunization services results in a decline in routine immunization uptake/coverage, increased household foodinsecurity, worsening community wellbeing and loss of manpower hours as parents look after their sick child. The objective of thestudy was to assess maternal satisfactions with immunization services. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to collect information on factorswhich determine satisfaction with immunization services. It was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBMSPSS) version 22.0 software The questionnaire was structured to obtain information from 640 mothers attending 35 immunizationclinics. One hundred and twenty-four (19.4%) of the mothers were satisfied with the immunization services, 514 (80.3%) wereundecided while 2 (0.3%) were dissatisfied with the immunization services received. Majority were indifferent about immunizationservices received. Keywords: Childhood, mothers, primary healthcare centre, routine, satisfaction, utilizationLa satisfaction maternelle est l’un des facteurs les plus importants qui déterminent l’utilisation des services de vaccination systématique des enfants. Le mécontentement vis-à-vis des services de vaccination se traduit par une baisse du taux de vaccinationsystématique / couverture, une augmentation de l'insécurité alimentaire des ménages, une aggravation du bien-être de lacommunauté et une perte d'heures de main-d'œuvre pendant que les parents s'occupent de leur enfant malade. L'objectif de l'étudeétait d'évaluer les satisfactions maternelles à l'égard des services de vaccination. Une étude transversale descriptive a été menée.Un questionnaire semi-structuré administré par un intervieweur avec des questions ouvertes et fermées a été utilisé pour recueillirdes informations sur les facteurs qui déterminent la satisfaction à l'égard des services de vaccination. Il a été analysé à l'aide dulogiciel Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 22.0. Le questionnaire a été structuré pour obtenir des informations auprès de 640 mères fréquentant 35 cliniques de vaccination. Cent vingt-quatre (19,4%) des mères étaient satisfaites des services de vaccination, 514 (80,3%) étaient indécises tandis que 2 (0,3%) étaient insatisfaites des services de vaccination reçus. La majorité était indifférente aux services de vaccination reçus. Mots-clés: Enfance, mères, centre de soins primaires, routine, satisfaction, utilisatio

Prevalence, trends, and drivers of the utilization of unskilled birth attendants during democratic governance in Nigeria from 1999 to 2018

Comprehensive epidemiological data on prevalence, trends, and determinants of the use of unskilled birth attendants (traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and other unskilled birth attendants) are essential to policy decision-makers and health practitioners, to guide efforts and resource allocation. This study investigated the prevalence, trends, and drivers of the utilization of unskilled birth attendants during democratic governance in Nigeria from 1999 to 2018. The study used the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys data for the years 1999 (n = 3552), 2003 (n = 6029), 2008 (n = 28,647), 2013 (n = 31,482), and 2018 (34,193). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, health-service, and community-level factors with the utilization of TBAs and other unskilled birth attendants in Nigeria. Between 1999 and 2018, the study showed that the prevalence of TBA-assisted delivery remained unchanged (20.7%; 95% CI: 18.0–23.7% in 1999 and 20.5%; 95% CI: 18.9–22.1% in 2018). The prevalence of other-unskilled-birth-attendant use declined significantly from 45.5% (95% CI: 41.1–49.7%) in 2003 to 36.2% (95% CI: 34.5–38.0%) in 2018. Higher parental education, maternal employment, belonging to rich households, higher maternal age (35–49 years), frequent antenatal care (ANC) (≥4) visits, the proximity of health facilities, and female autonomy in households were associated with lower odds of unskilled birth attendants’ utilization. Rural residence, geopolitical region, lower maternal age (15–24 years), and higher birth interval (≥2 years) were associated with higher odds of unskilled-birth-attendant-assisted deliveries. Reducing births assisted by unskilled birth attendants in Nigeria would require prioritized and scaled-up maternal health efforts that target all women, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, those who do not attend antenatal care, and/or those who reside in rural areas