Influence of knowledge and attitudes on exclusive breastfeeding practice among rural Jamaican mothers.

BACKGROUND: A large number of mothers may not be practicing exclusive breastfeeding in rural Jamaica, although no recent systematic study has been conducted. The impact of knowledge about and attitude toward breastfeeding on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding is also poorly understood. The objective of this study was to gather information about factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding and its duration. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 health centers within the parish of Saint Ann, Jamaica. A pretested questionnaire collected information on breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes toward intention to breastfeed and other relevant sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Information was documented for 599 mother-child pairs. The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation was 98.2 percent; of mothers who initiated breastfeeding, 22.2 percent practiced it exclusively (at least 6 months). No difference occurred between exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding mothers in terms of knowledge about and attitudes toward breastfeeding. Of potential predictors assessed, the male partner's role as the main source of income for the family was the only significant predictor for exclusive breastfeeding. Women whose male partner was the main source of income for the family were twice as likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants compared with the referent group (mothers as main source of income)(OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.4-3.0). In addition, the dominant reason for partial breastfeeding was maternal anxiety that breastmilk alone might not provide sufficient nourishment. CONCLUSION: The level of exclusive breastfeeding was extremely low at the study site. Formulation of strategies to aggressively promote exclusive breastfeeding practices is urgently needed there. Such interventions should consider involvement of the male partner, especially, with respect to the financial support, as well as alleviating maternal anxiety regarding nutritional adequacy of breastmilk.

An epidemiological survey of road traffic accidents presenting to the Spanish Town Hospital in January/February, 1998

This prospective study examined the factors associated with motor vehicle accidents and the impact these accidents have on the Spanish Town Hospital during the period January 19, 1998 to February 15, 1998. One hundred and twenty six persons were recruited in the study, eight four of which samples for blood alcohol levels were obtained by consent. Information was obtained using a data collection instrument designed by the Author and an assessment form which was available at the hospital. The data revealed that majority of casualties to the hospital were males, less than thirty and passengers in motor vehicle. Most accidents occurred during the peak hours of the day between 6am -9am and 3pm - 6pm when the roads were congested. Motor vehicle to motor vehicle (39.8 percent) was the most common accident while head injury was the most common. The older persons were more inclined to be intoxicated especially at the higher level of intoxicaiton. If the legal limit from blood alcohol was changed to the World Health Organization Standard of 50mg/100ml then four times more casualties would be considered intoxicated. The minium cost of road traffic accidents to the Spanish Town Hospital has $137,065.00 with a mean cost per patient of $1, 087.81 over a four weeks period (AU)

An epidemiological survey of road traffic accidents presenting to the Spanish Town hospital in January/February, 1998

This prospective study examined the factors associated with motor vehicle accidents and the impact these accidents have on the Spanish Town Hospital during the period January 19, 1998 to February 15, 1998. One hundred and twenty six persons were recruited in the study, eight four of which samples for blood alcohol levels were obtained by consent. Information was obtained using a data collection instrument designed by the Author and an assessment form which was available at the hospital. The data revealed that majority of casualities to the hospital were males, less than thirty and passengers in motor vehicles. Most accidents occurred during the peak hours of the day between 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm when the roads were congested. Motor vehicle to motor vehicle (39.8 percent) was the most common accident while head injury was the most common. The older persons were more inclined to be intoxicated especially at the higher level of intoxication. If the legal limit from blood alcohol was changed to the World Health Organization Standard of 50mg/100ml then four times more casualties would be considered intoxicated. The minimum cost of road traffic accidents to the Spanish Town Hospital has $137,065.00 with a mean cost per patient of $1,087.81 over a four weeks period.(Au)

An epidemiological survey of road traffic accidents presenting to the Spanish Town Hospital in January/February, 1998

This prospective study examined the factors associated with motor vehicle accidents and the impact these accidents have on the Spanish Town Hospital during the period January 19, 1998 to February 15, 1998. One hundred and twenty six persons were recruited in the study, eight four of which samples for blood alcohol levels were obtained by consent. Information was obtained using a data collection instrument designed by the Author and an assessment form which was available at the hospital. The data revealed that majority of casualties to the hospital were males, less than thirty and passengers in motor vehicle. Most accidents occurred during the peak hours of the day between 6am - 9am and 3pm - 6pm when the roads were congested. Motor vehicle to motor vehicle (39.8 percent) was the most common accident while head injury was the most common. The older persons were more inclined to be intoxicated especially at the higher level of intoxication. If the legal limit from blood alcohol was changed to the World Health Organisation Standard of 50mg/100ml then four times more casualties would be considered intoxicated. The minimum cost of road traffic accidents to the Spanish Town Hospital has $137,065.00 with a mean cost per patient of $1,087.81 over a four weeks period.(AU)