Undernutrition among exclusive breastfeeding mothers and its associated factors in Southwest Ethiopia: A community-based study.

BACKGROUND: An exclusive breastfeeding period is a time when the infant's feeding depends on only breast milk. Inadequate maternal nutrition during this period could lead to insufficient infant feeding, which can further lead to childhood undernutrition and developmental restrictions. Evidently, the burden of maternal undernutrition was higher in resource-limited countries, including Ethiopia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the proportion of undernutrition among exclusive breastfeeding mothers and its associated factors in Southwest Ethiopia. DESIGN: The study used a community-based cross-sectional design. METHODS: The study was conducted among 442 nursing mothers from 10 to 30 June 2022. The participants were selected using multistage sampling techniques. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Statistical software EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. The factors associated with undernutrition were identified using a binary logistic regression analysis. In the bivariable analysis, a p-value of less than 0.25 was used to include the variable in the multivariable analysis, whereas p-value less than 0.05 was an odds ratio used to declare an independent association at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The proportion of undernutrition among the participants was found to be 24.8% in the study area. Poor intake of extra meals (adjusted odds ratio = 2.104; 95% confidence interval: 1.208, 3.664), poor dietary diversity habits (adjusted odds ratio = 3.605; 95% confidence interval: 2.112, 6.153), a lack of nutrition information (adjusted odds ratio = 1.853; 95% confidence interval: 1.070, 3.212), and household food insecurity (adjusted odds ratio = 4.424; 95% confidence interval: 2.639, 7.417) were identified as factors enhancing undernutrition among exclusive breastfeeding mothers in the area. CONCLUSION: A quarter of exclusive breastfeeding mothers were undernourished in the area. Poor dietary diversity habits, poor intake of extra meals, a lack of nutrition information, and household food insecurity were found to be the factors determining undernutrition. Hence, it is important to reinforce nutrition intervention programs, including maternal nutrition education and counseling.

A study identified undernutrition among exclusive breastfeeding mothers in Southwest EthiopiaAdequate nutrition for a nursing mother is crucial for the health of both the baby and the mother. Frequent breastfeeding, especially in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) mothers, increases the physiological demand for nutrients. Consequently, inadequate nutrition during this period can lead to undernutrition. Undernutrition during this crucial period can result in the detriment of a newborn's growth and development. The problem is common in resource-limited settings, including Ethiopia. The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of undernutrition in the general nursing period. However, this problem, in particular the EBF period, was poorly studied before including the study area. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among EBF mothers in southwest Ethiopia. Accordingly, of the total of 435 participants involved in the study, about 108 (24.8%) of EBF mothers were undernourished. The participants' poor intake of extra meals (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.104; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.208, 3.664), poor dietary diversity habits (AOR = 3.605; 95% CI: 2.112, 6.153), a lack of nutrition information (AOR = 1.853; 95% CI: 1.070, 3.212), and household food insecurity (AOR = 4.424; 95% CI: 2.639, 7.417) were identified as factors enhancing undernutrition among EBF mothers in the area. Generally, the study identified about one-fourth of EBF mothers as undernourished in the area. Hence, the concerned bodies need to strengthen nutritional information dissemination to the community. Moreover, food supplementation should be planned for food-insecure households in the area.

Early Surgical Outcome of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in the Management of Obstructive Hydrocephalus: A Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Management of obstructive hydrocephalus is an important issue for the reduction of mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the early surgical outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in the management of obstructive hydrocephalus. METHODOLOGY: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from April 2009 to September 2010 for 1½ years. All patients presenting with obstructive hydrocephalus with the obstruction at or distal to the third ventricle and age 6 months and above were included in the study population. All the patients were divided into two groups named as Group A (experimental group) who were treated with ETV and Group B (control group) who were treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). The early surgical outcome was defined as outcomes within 1 month following surgical interventions. Pre- and post-operative outcomes of this study were measured. RESULTS: A total number of sixty patients were recruited from which thirty patients were in Group A and the rest thirty patients were in Group B. The mean postoperative head circumference was 43.4 ± 7.1 cm and 47.8 ± 5.6 cm in VPS and ETV surgery, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Postoperative vomiting was improved 24 (92.3%) in Group A and 23 (88.5%) in Group B (P < 0.05). Postoperative infection occurred in 1 (3.3%) case in Group A and 8 (26.7%) cases in Group B (P < 0.05). The success of the operation in Group A and Group B included 25 (83.3%) cases and 12 (40%) cases, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early surgical outcome following ETV is better than VPS surgery in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Pattern of neurological disease seen among patients admitted in tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Neurologic disorders are not uncommon at in patient departments of different hospitals. We have conducted the study to see the pattern and burden of neurologic disorders at different inpatient departments of a tertiary care centre. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective observational study was carried out from the records and referral notes of neurology department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) from July 2011 to June 2012. A total 335 patients were evaluated by consultant neurologists during this period. RESULT: Majority of the patients (59.7%) presented after the age of forty years. The mean age at presentation was 45.11 ± 17.3 years with a male predominance (63.3%). Stroke was the most common condition (47.5%) observed at referral, followed by seizure (9.3%), disease of spinal cord (7.8%) and encephalopathy (6.3%). Even after consultation, 30 patients remained undiagnosed and 6 were diagnosed as functional disorder. Department of Medicine (231, 69%) and Cardiology (61, 18.2%) made most of the calls. More than half (56%) of the stroke patients were referred from medicine and one third (35.2%) from cardiology. Seizure (67.7%), problem in spinal cord (92.3%), coma (50%), encephalopathy (57.1%), motor neuron disease (MND) (72.7%) were common reasons for referral from department of Medicine. Whereas patients with cord disease (7.3%), CNS tumor (40%), seizure disorder (6.5%) and stroke (3.8%) were referred from surgery. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology sought help for stroke (2.5%), seizure (12.9%), MND (27.3%), coma (16.7%) and encephalopathy (9.5%). Hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, dyslipidaemia and respiratory problem were significantly associated co-morbid conditions in stroke patients (at 95% CI, p value is <0.001, <0.01, <0.001, <0.05, <0.05 respectively). Hematological disorders were common association among patients with cord problem (<0.05). CONCLUSION: Wide ranges of neurological problems are often managed by physicians and surgeons, especially those from medicine and cardiology. Where ever available consultation from neurologists can help in diagnosing and managing these cases.