Perception about bottle Feeding among mothers in selected health care settings in Aba South Lga, Abia State, Nigeria

The study determined the perception of bottle feeding among mothers attending child welfare clinic in selected health centers in Aba South LGA. It also ascertained the knowledge of mothers about the breast feeding and factors responsible for chosen bottle feeding. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study where a total survey of 45 mothers who were selected systematically from the centers were interviewed as a method of data collection. The findings of the study showed that 93of the mothers agreed that breast milk is ideal for an infant; 96agreed that breast milk is better than bottle feeding; 27and 35agreed that they choose bottle feeding because of their type of work and to complement feeds respectively. Therefore; the study concluded that mothers ascertained breast feeding as an ideal feed for the infant; and they demonstrated good understanding about using bottle feeding and its management

The Effects of exclusive versus non-eclusive breastfeeding on specific infant morbidities in Conakry (Guinea)

Background :This study examines the effect of exclusive versus non-exclusive breastfeeding on specific infant morbidities from birth to nine months; in Conakry (Guinea). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1;167 mother-infant pairs who visited one of 20 immunization centres in Conakry for vaccination between the 45th and 270th days of the child's life. Two data sources were used: the infant health book and an orally administered questionnaire completed with the mother. Data analyses included univariate cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the effect of breastfeeding on infant morbidity. Results : Exclusive breastfeeding decreased with the infant's age. At six months of age; the proportion of infants who were exclusively breastfed was only 15.5. After adjusting for the infant's age; and the interaction between the type of breastfeeding and the infant's age; exclusive breastfeeding significantly protected the infants against many of the studied morbidities (OR: 0.28; CI: 0.15-0.51) and specifically against diarrhoea (OR: 0.38; 95CI: 0.17 - 0.86); respiratory infections (OR: 0.27; 95CI: 0.14 - 0.50); and low growth rate (OR: 0.11; 95CI: 0.02 - 0.46); but not for otitis; urinary infection; or meningitis. This investigation confirmed the protective effects of exclusive breastfeeding on some specific infant's morbidities during the first nine months of life. The results of this study are of great importance for the development of an information program designed to encourage the exclusive breastfeeding among the mothers of Conakry; Guinea

Growth pattern of exclusively breastfed infants in the first six months of life: a study of babies delivered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Some authors demonstrate that exclusively breastfed infants have growth patterns comparable with the NCHS standards while others conclude that exclusively breastfed infants grow slower. These conflicting results informed the need for this study to aid the paediatricians and health workers to justify or condemn the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for six months. This was a prospective longitudinal study carried out to determine the growth pattern of exclusively breastfed infants in the first 6 months of life and compare them with the International, National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS/WHO) reference and the Local, Janes' Elite Standards. METHODS:Using weight, length and occipito-frontal circumference as indices, 530 infants were recruited consecutively by convenience sampling over 17 months. Measurements were taken at birth, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 months and subsequently monthly until the end of the 6th month.RESULTS: The exclusively breastfed infants doubled their birth weights at 3 months. The mean weight, OFC and length gains were maximal at 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 months respectively. The growth of exclusively breastfed infants compared favourably with the NCHS/WHO reference group and also compared favourably with the Janes' 'Elite' reference group. CONCLUSION:It is concluded that the growth in weight, length and OFC of exclusively breastfed infants appears adequate for the first 6 months of life

Modalites et techniques de l'allaitement au Togo selon une enquete aupres de 871 nourrices togolaises

Une enquete transversale traitant de l'allaitement; menee de juin a septembre 1988 aupres de 871 nourrices togolaises dont les nourrissons sont ages de un a trente mois; a revele que l'allaitement maternel est le plus utilise (85;5 pour cent); suivi de l'allaitement mixte (12;5 pour cent) pratique souvent par contrainte socio-professionnelle ou par modernisme. L'allaitement artificiel est rare (2 pour cent). La duree moyenne de l'allaitement maternel; evaluee a 18;9 mois; a paru inversement proportionnelle au niveau d'instruction des meres. 99;2 pour cent de celles-ci ont pratique cet allaitement jusqu'a six mois contre 57;9 pour cent a 18 mois. Une meilleure information de la population sur l'allaitement et une rationalisation de la commercialisation des laits industriels; pourraient aider a une meilleure promotion de l'allaitement maternel

Isolation of enteric pathogens and caliform bacteria from infant feeding bottle content in Addis Ababa; Ethiopia

Gastro-enteritis causing bacterial pathogens were studied in infant feeding bottle-contents collected from 24 feeding bottles which were brought to 5 clinics and 2 hospitals from January to November 1989 in Addis Ababa; Ethiopia. The most frequent bacterial isolates were coliform which included Enterobacter spp.; klebsiella spp.; faecal E. coli and cotrobacter spp. Enteric pathogens like entero-pathogenic E. Coli (EPEC); Shigella spp.; and Staph. aureus; constituted respectively 9 (3. per cent); 1 (0.01 per cent); 9 (2.2 per cent) of the total isolates. Although the percent of isolation of enteric pathogens in this study is low; the frequent isolation of Coliform from samples of bottle-contents suggests that the bottle-feeding serves as vehicle in transmission of the enteric pathogens in the studied population. Bottle-feeding mothers should be constantly taught on proper handling of feeding utensils and feeds. Above all the superior quality of breast milk needs to be emphasized to nursing mothers. Moreover; further and well controlled studies are also recommended to reduce diarrhoeal diseases in infant and young children