Magnitude and factors associated with optimal complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in Bensa District, Sidama Zone, South Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of optimal complementary feeding practices are lower than expected. Undernutrition contributes 35% of children mortality. Our study was aimed to assess magnitude and factors associated with optimal complementary feeding practices among children 6-23 months in Bensa Dstrict, Sidama Zone, South Ethiopia, 2016. METHOD: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January to February 2016 in (8) randomly selected kebles found in Bensa District. Respondents were selected by using simple random sampling technique after sampling frame was prepared from rapid survey. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information. Then, data were entered into SPSS version 20, Then, crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval were computed to examine statistical significance. RESULT: This study revealed that only 8.6% (95%CI: 6.4, 10.7%) of 6-23 months children had optimal complementary feeding practices. Mother's knowledge on optimal complementary feeding (AOR=5.4, 95%CI: 2.7, 11), postnatal care service utilization (AOR=3.4, 95%CI: 1.7, 7), and household food security (AOR=5, 95%CI: 2.5, 10.5) were positively associated with optimal complementary feeding practices. CONCLUSION: Mother's knowledge, postnatal care utilization and household food security positively affected optimal complementary feeding practices.Thus, Bensa District Health Office, Sidama Zone Health Departiment and other respective stakeholders should cooperatively work to enhance knowledge of mothers/care takers on optimal complementary feeding practices, household food security and on advantages of postnatal care service utilization

The Pattern of Communicable Disease in Patients Admitted into the Children Medical Ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: Open tibial fracture is a common orthopaedic challenge in Nigeria with adverse economic implications. The aim of study is to investigate the epidemiology of the problem.Methods: This is a prospective observational study of all open tibial fractures seen at the Accident and Emergency department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) over a twelve- month period (July 2002- June 2003). Data from a pre-designed proforma for the study was analyzed and descriptive statistics of the epidemiology is presented.Results: Seventy-two open fractures were seen in 70 patients. The male to female ratio was 2.5:1 and the peak age incidence was in the 20-29 years age group (38.6) followed by the 30-39 years agegroup (31.4). The extremes of age were least affected. Road accidents constituted most of the injuries (91.4); of which 51.5was motorcycle related. The passenger was the most at risk of injury (56.3). Gustilo and Anderson type III open injuries were the most frequent followed by the type II injuries.Conclusion: The burden of open tibial fractures in Nigeria is significant. Most fractures of the tibia are open and results from high-energy injuries. They are usually associated with other injuries; which are the major contributors to morbidity and mortality. Poverty and lack of social infra structures are contributory factors

Maternal and Childhood Mortality in the Nuba Mountains; Sudan: A Pilot Study

The aim of the pilot study was to establish baseline levels for maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and childhood mortality rates measured prospectively in the Nuba Mountains; an under-privileged area of the Sudan; and compare them to pervious national retrospective surveys. A communal vital registration system was established as a pilot study in a defined community in the Nuba Mountains area; Sudan; including two strata; Dilling and Um Ruwaba Provinces. Live events were registered for 6-months. 1;913 live births; 268 childhood (0-4 years) deaths and 13 maternal deaths were registered during the period of study; July 2001-June 2002. Childhood mortality rates per 1;000 live births were: Infant (IMR) 85; child (CMR) 55; and under-five (U5MR) 140. There was no significant difference between Dilling stratum and Um Ruwaba stratum in IMR (x/2 = 1.56; P 0.05). CMR and U5MR were significantly higher in Um Ruwaba stratum (x/2 = 6.619; P 0.05 and x/2 0.05). All rates were much higher than those quoted for the country by previous retrospective survey estimates. Prospectively determined childhood and maternal mortality rates using a communal vital registration system appear to be higher but more realistic for a disadvantaged area compared to retrospective estimates. The wide discrepancy indicates the need for debating the limitations and relevance of the latter

Why integrated childcare has failed: The case of IMCI in Kumi health Subdistrict

For decades the focus of international public health has been on reducing childhood mortality; and rightly so. As recently as mid-1980s; some 15 million children under the age of five years died wach year; representing 30of all death worldwide; according to (World Health organisation; 2000). The vast majority of these deaths were preventable with current technology; as evidenced by the extremely low child mortality risks prevailing in developed countries. To correct this situation; health minsitries have undergone substantial reorganisation and reform; including a reduction on emphasis on technical programmes. Efforts have been made to incorporate disease-control programmes in ore integrated manageable packages of basic services

Where Referral is difficult or Impossible: How do people cope?

The Intergrated Management of Childhood illness (IMCI) strategy has been adopted as part of the Minimum Health Care Package to contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five. The IMCI algorithm empowers health workers at first level to assess; classify and treat common childhood conditions. Severly ill children are identified; recieved pre-referral treatment and are then referred to a better-equipped facility for further management

Contribution a l'etude de la letalite de la rougeole a Abidjan de 1995 a 1999

C'est une etude retrospective qui avait pour objectif general d'analyser les cas de deces dus a la rougeole dans les centres hospitaliers d'Abidjan a savoir les services pediatriques de CHU de Yopougon et de Treichville; la pediatrie de l'hopital general de Port-Bouet et le Service des Maladies infectieuses et Tropicales (SMIT) de Treichville. A ete considere comme enfant decede de rougeole : tout enfant quelque soit sont age et son sexe; hospitalise dans un contexte en rapport avec la rougeole et dont l'issue fatale a ete rattachee a ce contexte. Au total; sur les 629 enfants hospitalises pour rougeole dans les centres de sante d'Abidjan pendant la periode d'etude; 92 deces ont ete enregistres; soit une letalite hospitaliere 14;6pour cent. Ces 92 deces ont ete analyses avec parfois l'absence de certaines donnees du fait de l'inexistance du dossier ou du manque d'informations dans le dossier. La tendance generale de la mortalite et de la letalite a ete a la baisse ; de 220 hospitaliere en 1995 on est passe a 41 en 199. La letalite hospitaliere est passee de 15;9 pour cent en 1995 a 1;3pour cent en 1999. 89pour cent des deces ont ete enregistres au cours du premier semestre de chaque annee. Les enfants d'age prescolaire etaient majoritaires (36;9pour cent). Les deces sont survenu pour 54;34pour cent pendant les 5 premiers jours d'hospitalisation. Les complication les frequentes etaient representees par les complications respiratoires (94;3pour cent) et metaboliques (32pour cent). Les complications et les deces enregistres sont survenu aussi bien chez les non vaccines que chez les vaccines. Une baisse plus significative de la letalite peut etre observee grace au relevement et au maintien correct du taux de couverture vaccinale contre la rougeole et une education sanitaire des populations

Diarrhoea: Old and new trends

Diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in the developing countries. Its effect on small children is particularly devastating; annually killing about five million children under 5 years of age in Asia; Africa and latin America. Diarrhoeal disease places an economic burden in developing countries. In developing countries; more than a third of the paediatric beds are occupied by patients suffering from diarrhoea

Gender difference in child mortality

In Egypt, males have higher mortality level in infancy but females have higher mortality from birth to age 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. Sex differences in child mortality differ from one social class to another. The higher the social class [indicated by mother's education] the higher the mortality level of boys relative to girls. The main factor that causes sex difference in child mortality is the inequality in illness treatment favoring male children. The vital statistics indicate higher death rate for female than male children from digestive and respiration systems. The multivariate analysis indicated that norms and traditions have much more effect on sex difference in child mortality than religion. The effect of norms and traditions can be reduced by education. Mother's work [or expected productive capacity of female children] has a powerful effect on reducing girls' mortality level relative to boys. To decrease the girls' mortality level relative to boys, women's status should be raised through increasing education level and work opportunities. Increasing women's status will decrease norms and traditions, which are associated with son preference and higher mortality level for girls