Correlates of exclusive breast feeding among nursing mothers attending child health clinic at a general hospital in Rivers State Nigeria

Background: Early initiation of breast feeding and feeding exclusively for six months have great implication for the survival, well-being and growth of new borne. Factors such as maternal age, occupation, religion, spouse age, spouse occupation, parity, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, mode of delivery (MOD) and birth order are significantly associated with exclusive breast feeding (EBF) Methodology: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among nursing mothers attending child health clinic in General Hospital Bonny, in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. All eligible nursing mother who presented at the clinic were enlisted for the study. Enlistment of eligible participants was done on every child welfare clinic day. Data was collected using a pretested, interviewer administered, structured questionnaire which was adapted and prepared in English Language. Categorical data was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression model with statistical significance set at 0.05. Result: Results from this study identified significant association between EBF and some maternal variables such as age, occupation and religion. Spouse age and occupation were significantly associated with EBF. ANC attendance, gestational age, MOD, parity and birth order were also significant variables associated with EBF. Conclusion: Maternal variables such as age, occupation, religion, parity, MOD, ANC attendance including spouse age and occupation significantly influence EBF of new borne.

Prevalence of occupational injury and associated factors among workers in large-scale metal manufacturing factories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Worldwide work related injuries are becoming serious public health problems. However, very limited attempts have been made to assess the prevalence and factors associated with work-related injuries in Ethiopia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of occupational injury and associated factors among workers in large-scale metal manufacturing factories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 588 metal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Five metal factories were involved in the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, clinical data reviews and an observational checklist. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were done to describe the study population and identify risk factors associated with injury using an odds ratio with a 95%confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence of occupational injury among workers in the metal factories was 291 (49.9%) [95%CI: 45.8-53.9] per year. Among those injured respondents, 149 (51%) were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of injury. The use of PPE[adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.84; 95%CI: 2.93-8.01], attending primary school only [AOR=5.64; 95%CI: 3.05-10.43] and having 11 to 20 years' work experience [AOR=7.878; 95%CI: 2.60-23.90], were major predictors of work-related injury after adjusting for confounding factors. There were 18 recorded incidents resulting in major disabilities in one factory during the study period. Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational injury among metal workers was high. The use of PPE, attending primary school and those who had 11 to 20 years work experience were major predictors of work related injury. There is a need of provide an adequate supply of PPE for all metal workers and to ensure that they use it

Image of nursing profession as viewed by secondary schools students in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam

Objectives: The Broad objective: To assess knowledge and attitudes of secondary school students in Ilala district towards the nursing profession Specific objectives: To determine the awareness of nursing as a profession by secondary school students in Ilala district; explore factors that promote aspiration to enroll in nursing schools and to explore factors that deter aspiration to enroll in nursing schools. Methods: The study was exploratory cross sectional using both qualitative and quantitative methods and was conducted in Azania and Jangwani secondary schools in Ilala district. The sample size included 50 male and 50 female students who were opting for Physics; Chemistry and Biology from form III to form VI in the above mentioned schools. Results: Awareness above 50for males was 79.2(95CI: 66.6; 91.8) while that of females was 76.9(95CI: 65.4; 88.4). Awareness below 50was 31.4(95CI: 8.4; 54.4) for the males while that for females was 31.1(95CI: 11.3; 50.9). Non awareness was mostly about nurses being capable of independent practice; making decisions for themselves; working with high technology; following physician's orders without questioning and feeling good about what they do. Factors that were pointed out included: social; economical; educational and individual perceptions of different students. Although students were aware of nursing; they did not want to opt to join the profession. Conclusion: This study has shown that students are at least aware of the profession but they do not want to opt for it due to the image they have of it from the public. The factors that have been addressed in this research have to be put in consideration if at all we are to increase the nurse patientratio in Tanzania

Profil professionnel des epileptiques suivis a Abidjan : etude prospective realisee chez 55 travailleurs

"Pathologie neurologique frequente et parfois handicapante susceptible de toucher un nombre important d'individus quelque soit l'age; l'epilepsie pose d'enormes problemes socioprofessionnels notamment pour la recherche et l'obtention d'un emploi. C'est pour relever ces difficultes et proposer des solutions adaptees; que nous avons entrepris une etude prospective transversale de juin 2005 a mars 2006 en entreprise et dans les centres hospitaliers universitaires d'Abidjan; soutenue par un questionnaire dirige. Les patients etaient : soumis a des questions portant sur les caracteristiques generales de la maladie; les renseignements professionnels; les interrelations entre l'epilepsie et le travail. Nous avons obtenus une population: de 55 travailleurs epileptiques dont 65 pour cent d'hommes et 35 pour cent de femmes avec une moyenne d'age de 36; l4ans. Ils presentaient pour la plupart des crises tonico-cloniques soit 74;58pour cent. Le secteur d'activite le plus represente etait le secteur prive formel avec 41;80 pour cent des epileptiques; suivi du prive informel avec 30; 90 pour cent des patients et de l'administration publique dans 27;30 pour cent des cas. S'agissant du type d'activite; 83;60 pour cent des sujets se retrouvaient dans les ""services et commerce""; avec 34 ;60 pour cent dans les "" services aux particuliers et a la collectivite"". Seulement 1;8pour cent des patients avaient ete victimes d'accidents du travail. Les arrets de travail etaient observes chez 30;90pour cent d'entre eux et la baisse du rendement ne concernait que 20 pour cent. Nous preconisons pour limiter l'ampleur des problemes d'insertion socioprofessionnels poses par l'epilepsie les mesures suivantes : - L'elaboration et la promulgation de textes de loi concernant les travailleurs porteurs de pathologies chroniques et/ou d'un handicap. - L'organisation de seminaires de formation et d'information sur l'epilepsie pour les responsables d'entreprise et le grand public. - La promotion de la sante au travail dans les differents secteurs d'activite. - une etroite collaboration entre le medecin du travail et le neurologue pour une bonne adequation entre le poste et l'aptitude de la personne epileptique."