Breastfeeding knowledge and attitude among Saudi women in Central Saudi Arabia

To study the knowledge and attitude of Saudi women towards breastfeeding. A cross-sectional study conducted in 3 major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 7 July - 22 July 2009. Eight hundred and forty-eight women in the post-natal and post-cesarean section wards were included in the study along with women attending antenatal clinics. An Arabic questionnaire was generated and completed by women. Of the 848 participating women, 61.5% fell within the age groups between 21-30 years. Most women [49.8%] have a college or higher education. Only 55.8% of women have previously received breastfeeding education, and approximately 54.2% of women received breastfeeding education when they were in the hospital for delivery. Approximately 48.5% preferred mixed feeding, followed by exclusive breastfeeding [36.8%]. The most important reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding were: baby was ill [38.2%], a health professional asked mother not to breastfeed for medical reasons [61.1%], mother was sick or needed to take medicine [71.8%], and finally the use of contraception that interferes with milk supply [32.8%]. We found that breastfeeding during the first few months of life was not optimal. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was low despite high level of their education. Mixed feeding was the predominant mode of feeding, which raised the need for targeted breastfeeding education. Health care providers should be encouraged to continuously educate women on the benefits of breastfeeding

Conscious sedation for awake craniotomy in intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging operating theatre [IMRI OT] environment

This technical report disrobes the first case in Intra-operative Magnatic Resonance Imaging operating theatre [iMRI OT] [BrainSuite[R]], of Awake Craniotomy. The procedure was for frontal lobe glioma excision in 24 y. old man. He was scheduled to undergo eloquent cortex language mapping intra-operatively. He was motivated and was excited to see the operating theatre. He requested to take his photos while operated upon. The authors adapted conscious sedation technique with variable depth according to Ramsey's scale, in order to revert to awake state to perform the intended neurosurgical procedure. Patient tolerated the situation satisfactory and was cooperative till the finish without any event. We elicit in this report the special environment of iMRI OT for lengthy operation in pinned fixed patient having craniotomy. The text shows the special environment, its demands and its possible difficulties

Maternal and newborn-care practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period: a comparison in three rural districts in Bangladesh.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of maternal and newborn-care practices among women reporting a birth in the previous year in three districts in different divisions of Bangladesh. In 2003, 6,785 women, who had delivered a newborn infant in the previous year, across three districts in Bangladesh, were interviewed. Overall, less than half of the women received any antenatal care, and 11% received a minimum of four check-ups. Only 18% took iron tablets for at least four months during pregnancy. Over 90% of the 6,785 deliveries took place at home, and only 11% were attended either by a doctor or by a nurse. The mothers reported three key hygienic practices in 54% of deliveries: attendants washing their hands with soap and boiling cord-tie and blade for cutting the cord. Forty-four percent of the 6,785 infants were bathed immediately after delivery, and 42% were given colostrum as their first food. The results suggest that maternal and newborn-care remains a cause of concern in rural Bangladesh. Short-term policies to promote healthy behaviour in the home are needed, in addition to the long-term goal of skilled birth attendance.