ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to examine the level of awareness of the parents regarding Thalassemia Major; the cost of treatment of Thalassemia Major Patients and the sufferings it brings to the families; the social problems faced by patients' families; to identify the barriers patients' families face in the treatment of Thalassemia child. Descriptive study. Four Thalassemic Centers [i] Thalassemia / Hemophilia Centre, The Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health Multan [ii] Fatimid Foundation Multan [iii] Amna Blood Foundation [iv] Minhajul Quran Multan. January-2013 to June-2013. A sample of 500 respondents was drawn from the total population and structured interview schedule was administrated. Data were analyzed and interpreted by using SPSS [Statistical Package for Social Sciences] 19.0 version software. The structured interview was discussed with two experts of the Sociology Department and two Senior Doctors [>8 years' experiences] working in the Thalassemia centers and Government Health Institutions. It was revised to incorporate recommended improvements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the data that includes: frequency, percent, mean, standard deviations. Data indicated that 100[20.0%] respondents were patients' father while 329[65.8%] were mothers and 71[14.2%] were close relatives. Of the 500 respondents, 306[61.2%] were married to their first cousins, 91[18.2%] of the respondents were married to their second cousins, 34[6.8%] of the respondents married in distance relatives and 69[13.8%] of the respondents married out of family. The study summarized that the health care providers should be encouraged to talk about Thalassemia as a public health problem in Pakistan and should enhance the public awareness to eliminate the Thalassemia in Pakistan
ABSTRACT
Background: breast feeding is the most natural way of feeding the infants and help to reduce child mortality and morbidity and millions of deaths could be prevented each year if mothers were aware of benefits of exclusive breast feeding for 4 -6 months and early initiation of breast feeding
Objective: to evaluate the awareness regarding breast feeding and complementary feeding in mothers of severely malnourished children
Study Design: this is a descriptive /cross sectional study
Place and duration of study: this study was conducted at the department of preventive pediatrics Children hospital and institute of child health, Multan from March 2013 to September 2013
Materials and Methods: this study included a total of 100 females that were the mothers of malnourished children visiting the follow up room of department of preventive pediatrics Children hospital and institute of child health, Multan. A questionnaire was designed and others were interviewed in detail after taking proper consent
Results: in this study, the mean age of the sample was25years +/- 3 years. 70% females [70/100] were from urban areas while 30% [30/100] were from rural areas. Of the 100 respondents 54% [54/100] of mothers were illiterate and this study showed that 99% [99/100] considered breast milk safe and effective than other feeds but practically only 23% [23/100] babies were breast fed while 77% [77/100] were bottle fed. Pre-lacteal feed was given by 82% [82/100]. According to 58% [58/100] mothers there should be a early initiation of breast feeding, while 57% [57/100] were un aware of the facts that clostrum should be given while 43% [43/100]of then considered it unhealthy and non effective, 82% [82/100] considered 4 months a period of exclusive breast feeding,61% [61/100] were counseled by doctors regarding the benefits of breast feeding, 50% [50/100] were aware of the use of exclusive breast feeding as a contraceptive tool and 34% [34/100] were aware of its importance for the prevention of breast cancer
Conclusion: the findings of the study indicated the various important policy implications for the intervention of breastfeeding. Strategies to encourage mothers to follow breastfeeding recommendations should concentrate on improving their knowledge