ABSTRACT
Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic disorder amongst Black people and one of the major chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) affecting children, poses a significant psychosocial burden, not only on the sufferers but also on the parents. This study therefore sets out to assess the influence of these parents’ knowledge and practices towards reducing the frequency and seeking appropriate treatment of Sickle Cell Crisis in their children. Methodology: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. A Total Sampling of all the sickle cell patients that attend the selected facilities were recruited into the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaires which were interviewer administered. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 20.0. Results: A total of 415 patients were recruited into the study. Only 39.0% had adequate knowledge of SCD, 75.2% on prevention of crisis and 62.0% on predisposing factors to sickle cell crisis. About two-third [68.0%] of participants’ source of information is by hospital staffs. Majority 81.4% have only one child with SCD. The frequency of sickle cell crisis was statistically significantly associated with the Marital status of the parents [x2 = 24.029, p = 0.0001], Parents level of education x2 = 18.538, p = 0.0001, and the source of parents information about SCD x2 = 18.194 and P = 0.001. On logistic regression analysis, predictors of low frequency of crisis were individuals who had parents with tertiary education [OR=2.37, CI=1.45-3.87], information from health workers [OR=0.58, C.I=0.43-0.79], and family income above minimum wage [OR=0.147, C.I=0.06-0.34]. Conclusion: The study reveals that the level of care and support given to SCD children may reflect in their parent’s level of education, depth of knowledge about the disease and financial capability, therefore attention to the psychosocial problems of parents and/or caregivers of these children is of utmost importance.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the median weight, height and body mass index of school children with the 2000 CDC and 2007 WHO reference values. Settings: Schoolchildren in Sagamu, Nigeria. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Between November and December, 2008, 1690 school children aged 6 to 16 years from 8 primary schools were surveyed using multi-stage sampling methods. The weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were recorded for each child. The Z-scores of the median anthropometric parameters for each age and sex were determined with the LMS statistical method using the values of L, M and S provided on the CDC and WHO charts. Results: The weight, height and BMI Z-scores were less than the reference values provided on the CDC and WHO charts but were generally closer to the WHO standards compared to the CDC standards. The median weight, height and BMI for females generally plotted higher on CDC and WHO chart compared to the males. The prevalence of underweight and stunting were relatively lower while the prevalence of overweight and obesity was relatively higher among children aged 6 to 10 years using the WHO references compared to the CDC reference values. Conclusions: The WHO references would underdiagnose under-nutrition and over-diagnose overweight/ obesity in the population studied.