Prevalence and Determinants of the use of Enema in under-five children in Akwa Ibom State

Background: Use of enema in children across clinical and community settings are associated with risks. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of enema practice in under-five children, substances used as enema and the reasons for enema practice by mothers. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study among 252 consecutively recruited mothers of under-five children attending immunization/well babies clinics in 2 health centres in Akwa Ibom state using a semi-structured self and interviewer administered questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 at a level of significance of P<0.05. Results: One hundred and sixty-nine (67.1%) respondents had ever given enema to their children. Mothers (69.2%) administered enema to their children which most often (72.8%) was recommended to them by others. Herbal enema was preferred to chemical and plain water enema. Common reasons for enema administration were in preparation for administration of antimalarial to ensure its effectiveness (60.4%), to relief constipation (49.7%) and abdominal pains (46.7%) and treatment of fevers (41.4%). Predictors of enema practice were age of the child (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.212-0.765, p=0.005) and ethnic origin of the mothers (OR 9.4,95% CI 4.024-22.104, p<0.001). Conclusion: The practice of enema is common in the study area. Health practitioners should be aware of this practice in the communities, seek for this history during clinical consultation and make concerted effort in educating the mothers and other caregivers against this practice.

The Knowledge, Attitude and Perception towards Epilepsy amongst Health Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Uyo, Southern Nigeria.

Background: Epilepsy is usually stigmatized in the developing world because of the poor knowledge. The health workers in Nigeria are generally regarded as the custodians of medical information irrespective of their designation in the health care institution. Their opinion in health issues is generally coveted hence they majorly influence the attitude and health seeking behaviour of their respective communities. Aim: The aim of the study was to study the Knowledge attitude and perception towards epilepsy amongst health workers in a tertiary hospital. We compared the knowledge and perception of doctors to that of other health service providers. We also made a comparison of the health service providers (HSP) with that of the health management and support workers (HMSW). Study Design: The study is a prospective cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The data was collected within six months (September 2014 to March 2015). Methodology: The participants were health workers in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The study is a questionnaire based study. We distributed 600 questionnaires to the participants. The questions explored the knowledge of etiology (perceived and medically proven). Their attitudes and perception to persons with epilepsy was also explored. Results: There were 477 respondents in this study. The HMSW were more likely to believe that epilepsy was due to evil spirits, witches and excessive consumption of palm oil than the HSP (p<0.001). Five (2.45%) of the HSP believed epilepsy should not be treated in the hospital compared to the HMSW. The HSPs were more likely to relate with a PWE than the HMSWs. Conclusion: There is still a huge gap in the level of knowledge, attitude and perception of health workers towards especially the HMSW.