Childhood seizures: assessment of the knowledge, attitude and home interventions among patients attending a paediatric outpatient clinic in Nigeria

Most seizures in children occur outside the hospital and effective first aid would protect individuals from harm. Study assessed the knowledge, attitude and home-based interventions for childhood seizures.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted from 1stJune to 31stDecember, 2021 among caregivers of patients in a Paediatric outpatient clinic. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge, attitude, and home intervention of childhood seizures. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and results presented as frequency tables, percentages and charts. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Out of 218 respondents, the commonest source of information on childhood seizures was from friends and relatives 126(73.2%). Fever was the commonest known cause. Only 15(6.9%) recognized seizure as a neurological disorder. Jerking of the body and clenchingof the teeth were the commonest recognizable symptoms. The majority said seizures were contagious (176(80.7%) and children with seizures should not go to school 187(85.8%). The overall knowledge score was poor. Negative attitudes included avoidance 19(8.7%), isolation from playing with peers (15(6.9%) and from the public 17(7.8%). Common interventions during seizures were putting palm kernel oil in the mouth while only 25(29.4%) took the child to the hospital or laid him down away from harmful objects 25(29.4%). The practice of home intervention for seizures was good in only 11(5.0%) of respondents

Comparison of Temperature Readings, Infrared, Non-Contact Thermometer with Contact Digital Thermometer Readings in Children.

BACKGROUND: Body temperature is an important vital sign in clinical practice which can be measured via electronic contact thermometers and infrared non-contact thermometers. OBJECTIVE: To compare temperature readings taken by non contact infrared thermometer with the conventional digital axillary, rectal and oral temperature readings as well as the influence of environmental temperature on noncontact infrared thermometer readings. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study carried out in the Paediatric outpatient clinic of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from September 2020 to December 2020. Infrared noncontact forehead and jugular temperatures along with contact axillary, oral and rectal temperatures at a recorded atmospheric temperature and pressure were measured. Data collected was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 247 children aged 1month to 16 years were enrolled, the mean differences of the temperature pairs of contact and non-contact thermometry ranged from 0.45 - 0.77°C (1.64, -1.81°C) 95% LoA. The highest mean difference was found between infrared forehead and axillary [MD; 0.45(1.64,-0.73°C) 95%LoA] temperatures. There was a significant positive correlation between the mean difference of infrared forehead/ rectal temperature and atmospheric temperature (r = 0 .211 p = 0.029). Linear regression model showed that infrared forehead temperature of 37.1°C was equivalent to rectal temperature of 38°C and axillary of 37.4°C which is the standard cut off for fever. Infrared jugular of 37.2°C was equivalent to rectal of 38°C and axillary temperature of 37.4°C was equivalent to infrared jugular of 37.03°C all at a mean atmospheric temperature of 28.3±1.8°C. CONCLUSION: The mean difference by which infrared noncontact thermometry predicts core temperatures may differ based on atmospheric temperature. Infrared non-contact forehead thermometer reading of 37.1°C could be considered as the fever cut off for non-contact forehead thermometry in Nigeria in regions where the mean atmospheric temperature is 28.3±1.8°C.

CONTEXTE: La température corporelle est un signe vital important dans la pratique clinique qui peut être mesurée à l'aide de thermomètres électroniques à contact et de thermomètres infrarouges sans contact. OBJECTIF: Comparer les lectures de température prises par un thermomètre infrarouge sans contact avec les lectures de température axillaire, rectale et buccale numériques conventionnelles, ainsi que l'influence de la température ambiante sur les lectures de thermomètre infrarouge sans contact. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Une étude prospective réalisée dans la clinique pédiatrique ambulatoire du Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, au Nigéria, de septembre 2020 à décembre 2020. Températures infrarouges sans contact du front et de la jugulaire ainsi que des températures axillaire, orale et rectale de contact à une température et une pression atmosphériques enregistrées ont été mesurés. Les données recueillies ont été analysées. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 247 enfants âgés de 1 mois à 16 ans ont été inclus, les différences moyennes des paires de températures de la thermométrie avec contact et sans contact variaient de 0,45 à 0,77°C (1,64, -1,81°C) 95 % LoA. La différence moyenne la plus élevée a été trouvée entre l'infrarouge frontal et axillaire [MD; 0,45 (1,64,-0,73°C) 95 % LoA]. Il y avait une corrélation positive significative entre la différence moyenne de la température infrarouge frontale/rectale et la température atmosphérique (r = 0,211 p = 0,029). Le modèle de régression linéaire a montré que la température frontale infrarouge de 37,1 °C était équivalente à la température rectale de 38 °C et axillaire de 37,4 °C, qui est la valeur seuil standard pour la fièvre. L'infrarouge jugulaire de 37,2°C équivalait à une température rectale de 38°C et la température axillaire de 37,4°C équivalait à l'infrarouge jugulaire de 37,03°C, le tout à une température atmosphérique moyenne de 28,3±1,8°C. CONCLUSION: La différence moyenne par laquelle la thermométrie infrarouge sans contact prédit les températures centrales peut différer en fonction de la température atmosphérique. La lecture du thermomètre frontal infrarouge sans contact de 37,1 °C pourrait être considérée comme le seuil de fièvre pour la thermométrie frontale sans contact au Nigeria dans les régions où la température atmosphérique moyenne est de 28,3 ± 1,8 °C. Mots clés: Thermomètre sans contact, température rectale, température axillaire, buccale, front, jugulaire, température atmosphérique.

Implementation of Kangaroo mother care by health workers in Nigeria

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been proven to significantly improve growth, reduce mortality and morbidity in low birth weight infants. The impact of KMC in newborn care is expected to be greatest in Africa due to limitations in health care.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of Nigerian health workers rendering paediatric care who practice KMC in their institution, and identify some challenges affecting the practice of KMC in Nigerian health institutions.Method: A cross sectional study of the participants at 45th annual scientific conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria was conducted.Result: A total of157 respondents 122(77.7%) doctors and 35 (22.3%) nurses were studied. 84 (53.5%) practiced KMC. The reasons for not practicing KMC were lack of policy reported by 43 (58.9%) and inadequate place for the mothers to stay 30(41%).The level of practice was significantly higher among respondents that worked in facilities that care for sick neonates (p = 0.049), have functional incubators (p = 0.014) and practice KMC (p < 0.001.Conclusion: Hospitals should have a written KMC policy and provide KMC wards in order to improve implementation of KMC practice in Nigeria