Experiences of Fathers of Babies Admitted into a Neonatal Unit in a Tertiary Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction:In time past mothers were regarded as sole caregivers of NICU babies, however the fathers’ role is now increasingly being recognized. Mothers are involved in providing care such as feeding, hygiene, and kangaroo mother care. Fathers are usually called on for medical bills and usually enter the neonatal unit for observational visits. The aim of the study was to determine experiences of fathers during the hospitalization of their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which is referred to as the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:This was a cross sectional study carried out in the neonatal clinic of UPTH over a period of 10 weeks. Participants were fathers who had brought their babies for follow up. Information obtained using interviewer administered questionnaires included biodata, occupation and experiences during their babies’ stay in SCBU.Results:There were thirty seven participants, 15 (40.5%) of whom were in the middle socioeconomic class. Generally the experience was described as stressful by 25 (62.5%), confusing by 5 (12%), andpleasant by 7 (18.9%) fathers. Contributors to stress were financial implications of babies’ care (13: 35.1%), illness in the mother (5: 13.5%), lack of care for other children (16: 43.2%) and worries about procedures and equipment used on their babies (14; 37.8%). Fathers also experienced disruptions in family(14; 35.1%) and social life (22; 55%). Thirty three (82.5%) fathers had family support. Religion and prayers were some of the strategies fathers employed to cope with their stress.Conclusion:Fathers found the SCBU experience stressful. The financial burden of care contributed to the stress and some fathers resorted to prayers as a coping mechanism

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Neonatal Jaundice among Community Health Workers in Southern Nigeria.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge of community Health Workers (CHWs) on neonatal jaundice (NNJ), exploring their perceptions, knowledge and practices. Study Design: It was a cross sectional study of randomly selected CHWs who were attending a child health workshop in Southern Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out during a workshop in Yenegoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methods: Simple structured questionnaires were distributed to all health workers who gave consent to participate in the study. These were retrieved by the authors as soon as they were filled. Information obtained included biodata, length of practice, knowledge of causes, complications and management of NNJ. Results: There were 200 participants, 91 males and 109 females giving a male to female ratio of 1: 1.2. The mean duration of service was 6.01±4.97 years. 191 (95%) had fair to adequate knowledge of description of NNJ. However only about 25% of respondents had good knowledge of its causes. Antibiotics and glucose water were perceived by 60.4% and 37.5% of CHWs as useful drugs in the management of NNJ, while 82% would recommend sunlight as effective treatment. Work experience was significantly associated with knowledge of the use of EBT and phototherapy in the treatment of NNJ with those less than 5 years having better knowledge than the older ones. Conclusion: CHWs may recognize NNJ but knowledge on causes and treatment is inadequate and may cause potential delays in referral for effective treatment. There is need for regular training and re-training of health workers to ensure effective management and reduce the complications of NNJ.

Mothers Perception of Sexuality Education for Children

Background:Sexuality education is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex; sexual identity; relationships and intimacy. It develops young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour; and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It also equips children to face developmental challenges and empowers them against the ills of abuse; exploitation; unwanted pregnancies amongst others. Mothers who are the primary caregivers should be well informed about sexuality issues. The objective of the study is to determine mothers' perception of sexuality education in children; in PortHarcourt. Methodology:A structured; anonymous and selfadministered questionnaire; used as instrument for data collection; was distributed amongst a convenient sample of women attending a Christian women's convention in Port Harcourt. Results:One hundred and fifty eight women participated in the study. Most of them were married (80.4); and belonged to the 30-49 years age bracket. Seventy one (44.9) of the respondents had tertiary education. Over 80agreed that children needed sexuality education but only 15 women (9.5) had a good knowledge of the concept of sexuality education. One hundred and eleven (70.2) believed it was the responsibility of both parents to educate their children and over 70acknowledged that the home was the best place for such education. 64 (40.5) believed that 6-10 years was the ideal age for starting sex education while 49thought that the ideal age was 11-15 years. 65of respondents discussed sexuality issues with their children at least occasionally; the content mostly involved description of body parts and reproductive organs. The average age of menarche amongst respondents was 14.0. One hundred (63) of the women had prior knowledge of menstruation before menarche. About half of them had received information from their mothers. Conclusion:The study highlights the need for enlightenment of women on sexuality education to enable them empower their children against the ills of child abuse

Mothers Perception of Sexuality Education for Children

Sexuality education is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex; sexual identity; relationships and intimacy. It develops young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour; and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It also equips children to face developmental challenges and empowers them against the ills of abuse; exploitation; unwanted pregnancies amongst others. Mothers who are the primary caregivers should be well informed about sexuality issues. The objective of the study is to determine mothers' perception of sexuality education in children; in Port Harcourt.A structured; anonymous and selfadministered questionnaire; used as instrument for data collection; was distributed amongst a convenient sample of women attending a Christian women's convention in Port Harcourt.One hundred and fifty eight women participated in the study. Most of them were married (80.4); and belonged to the 30-49 years age bracket. Seventy one (44.9) of the respondents had tertiary education. Over 80agreed that children needed sexuality education but only 15 women (9.5) had a good knowledge of the concept of sexuality education. One hundred and eleven (70.2) believed it was the responsibility of both parents to educate their children and over 70acknowledged that the home was the best place for such education. 64 (40.5) believed that 6-10 years was the ideal age for starting sex education while 49thought that the ideal age was 11-15 years. 65of respondents discussed sexuality issues with their children at least occasionally; the content mostly involved description of body parts and reproductive organs. The average age of menarche amongst respondents was 14.0. One hundred (63) of the women had prior knowledge of menstruation before menarche. About half of them had received information from their mothers. The study highlights the need for enlightenment of women on sexuality education to enable them empower their children against the ills of child abuse

Mothers' Knowledge and Perception of Child Sexual Abuse

Background: Sexual abuse in children is a significant public health problem and represents the least reported but the most devastating major form of child abuse all over the world. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and perception of child sexual abuse among Christian women in Port Harcourt. Methods: This study was conducted among women attending a Christian women convention. Using a structured; anonymous and self-administered questionnaire; data collected included bio data; awareness information; response and practices. Data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Spread sheet and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight women participated in the study of whom 127 (80.4) were married and 51 (32.3) belonged to the 30-39 years age bracket. Twenty-two (13.9) respondents had never heard about sexual abuse in children; whilst 70 of them (44.2) knew that under-five children can also be victims. Forty four percent of the respondents believed the abuser is not someone closely related to the child. In case of rape; seeking medical care will be the first line of action for 119 (75) respondents and only 55 (34.7) will report the case to the police. Unwanted pregnancy was the single most quoted consequence of child sexual abuse; shame and stigmatization the greatest challenges faced by the family. Conclusion: The study shows that mothers who should play a major role in the prevention of sexual abuse in children have poor knowledge about the topic. There is therefore need for awareness/enlightenment campaigns about child sexual abuse targeted at parents; especially mothers

Polycythaemia in the Newborn

Background: Polycythaemia; or erythrocytosis; is a condition in which there is a net increase in the total number of circulating red blood cells in the body. It is an important clinical problem in the newborn. It is relatively rare with an incidence of 1-5in the total newborn population. It may manifest with serious and sometimes life threatening insults to the brain; heart; kidneys; lungs and intestines. It requires prompt treatment to prevent serious immediate complications; including death and permanent neurologic impairment.n Aim: To highlight the clinical features and management of polycythaemia in the newborn. Case report: A 9-hour-old male term; appropriate for gestational age neonate presented to the Children's Emergency Ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with a history of seizures. The patient was febrile; plethoric; in respiratory distress with central and peripheral cyanosis and had repeated seizures. He had a packed cell volume of 81; thrombocytopaenia; hypoglycaemia and hypocalcaemia. He was treated with a partial exchange transfusion using normal saline. Electrolyte and metabolic derangements were also corrected. He recovered uneventfully and is currently being followed up in the Out Patient Clinic. Conclusion: Neonatal polycythaemia though uncommon; contributes to significant long and short term morbidity if untreated. Partial exchange transfusion is the treatment of choice and minimizes some of the physiologic complications

Pattern of endocrine diseases in children at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: Endocrine disorders (ED) vary greatly in their prevalence according to age and gender. Although most of these disorders are uncommon; they usually run a chronic course; contributing to long term morbidity and ultimately mortality if not recognized and treated early. Aim: To determine; the pattern of ED in children seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methods: We reviewed the case files of patients seen in the Paediatric Endocrinology clinic of the UPTH from July 2001 to July 2007.The information obtained were patients' characteristics; diagnosis; management and outcome. Diagnosis of each disorder was based on clinical features; relevant laboratory investigations and imaging studies. Results: Thirty patients were seen with various endocrine disorders. They comprised 13 (43.3) males and 17 (56.7) females with a M: F ratio of 1:1.3. Their ages ranged from 10 months to 16 years. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the commonest disorder seen in 14 (46.7) patients. This was followed by disorders of puberty and thyroid gland in 12 (40) and 4 (13.3) patients respectively. Delayed puberty was the commonest disorder of puberty seen in 4(33.3) of the patients. This was followed by premature thelarche and gynaecomastia in 3(25) patients each. One female (8.3) had precocious puberty. The patients with diabetes had Type 1 DM and all except for one patient received insulin injection. There was delay in the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism and lack of drugs for the treatment of some pubertal disorders in our environment. Conclusion: This study shows that endocrine disorders do occur in children in our environment. A high index of suspicion is therefore required for early diagnosis. There is also need for provision of hormone therapy (HT) for children with pubertal disorders in Nigeria