Household feeding patterns and feeding habits: effects on the health of Ibibio households in Uyo Urban, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Food is one of the basic needs of man, and has a strong positive relationship with health. This article examines the impact of food consumption patterns and habits on the health of Ibibio households in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Employing a stratified random sampling framework, the study administered 368 questionnaires to respondents from both low-income and high-income households on equal proportion, and was complimented with four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Results indicate that the majority of households consumed foods classified under condiments/spices, stem/roots, vegetables, fat/oil, seafood, and poultry/meat on daily basis. Foods such as cereals, fruits, and bulbs were not common in their daily menu. Some respondents, especially from the low-income households, had to skip and/or forego meals for the benefit of the younger ones. The Linear Estimation System (LES) revealed deficiency in the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and blamed this on income poverty and lack of knowledge on the nutritional values of food. To obtain good health, there are prescribed food items that must be eaten in a scientifically required mix. The study therefore recommends nutritional and health education and the creation of awareness on the nutritional values of locally produced food items that would enhance nutritional and health status of the citizenry and food security.

The role of mothers in household health-seeking behavior and decision-making in childhood febrile illness in Okurikang/Ikot Effiong Otop community, Cross River State, Nigeria.

The authors examine mothers and decision making during childhood febrile illness in rural Nigeria in this article. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive community survey, we elicited information from four categories of caregivers with the help of structured questionnaires. Apart from sociostructural economic factors, the authors reveal how interlocking objectives and values as expressed in extended family institutions functioned to influence both behavior and decision making of mothers. We suggest expanding the target of health education in the rural areas to include the family as an extended structure.

The influence of "stock out" on health-seeking behavior of low income women in Uyo urban, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

The "Health for All Project" (HFAP) policy in Nigeria was complemented by the National Drug Policy to ensure constant availability of high quality drugs and medical consumables at affordable prices to citizens in public hospitals. Apart from strengthening the utilization of health services, the project also sought to improve health care delivery for the poor who could not afford the high cost of drugs in private clinics and pharmaceutical stores. Employing a survey method with stratified and systematic random techniques, the study found failed expectations in the promises of HFAP policy among the 1250 low-income women in Uyo urban. In the face of "stock out" where most drugs, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies are consistently not available for dispensing in public hospitals and health centers poor urban women resorted to alternative health care in prayer houses, herbal homes, patent medicine vendors, health workers homes, and traditional birth attendants. The study reported that stock out in government health facilities resulted in health hazards and the relapse of illnesses as a result of nonadherence to treatment regime and exposure to fake, expired, and adulterated drugs. A renewed commitment in health care delivery in Nigeria is called for if poor women are to be really empowered.

Apoc impact assessment study Onchocerciasis: baseline ophthalmological Survey in southwestern Sudan

A cross-sectional survey of eye disease supported by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Conffol (APOC) was carried out in October 1998, in Raja, Sudan, a Savanna ecological zone to determine the prevalence and distribution of onchocercal eye disease. Detailed eye examination including measurement of visual field using the Wu-Jones computerized Motion Sensitivity Screening Test (MSST) were carried out. A total of 481 individuals were examined, of which 379 underwent detailed eye examination. A high prevalence of blindness (8.1%) from all causes was recorded. Onchocerciasis-induced eye disease was responsible for blindness in 56.40/o of all blind persons. Of the 38 persons who had visual impairment, 13 (2.7%) were severely affected. As many as 91 (24.0%) persons had microfilariae (mfs) in the anterior chamber (AC) and /or cornea with the highest prevalence of 29.3Yo and 28.8% respectively, recorded among the young and active individuals. This age group (15-24yeus) also had the highest prevalence (15.3%) of flufff corneal opacities. Sclerosing keratitis was present in 46 (12.1%) subjects while iridocyclitis was diagnosed in 9.0% with the highest prevalenc e of 25 .0o/o noted in the 45 - 54 age group. Prevalence of blinding cataract was 54.1% while that of glaucoma was12.2%. Presumed optic nerye disease, a known pathway to onchocercal blindness was observed in 19.6% with one third of this percentage already at the advanced stage. Another common pathway to blindness, chorioretinitis, affected 15.2% of the subjects of which 7.2% had reached advanced stages.Prevalence of abnormal visual fields was 6.6Yo. Posterior segment oncho disease was found to be the main ocular pathology in 15.6% subjects followed closely by 13.5% whose main cause was anterior segment oncho lesion. Both sexes were almost equally affected. Ocular findings in this area particularly among the young conform to high intensity levels of onchocerciasis infection and therefore require urgent effective intervention to forestall further devastating oncho-induced blindness and alleviate the socio-economic burden imposed on this population.

Perception of malaria infection in two rural communities in Nigeria.

This investigation was concerned with how and when parents and other members of two rural communities (Awi and Ikot Edem Odo) in Cross River State, Nigeria, recognized malaria infection, what they do to prevent the disease, and what triggers their treatment seeking behaviour (cue to action). The psychological and sociocultural contexts of these complex factors were considered. Focus group discussion (FGD) techniques were employed. A total of eight groups selected using theoretical sampling matrix method were categorized. A thirty-three-item FGD battery of guide questions was used. Information and data on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and the perception of malaria infection were generated. Analysis showed that both communities recognized the symptoms, morbidity and mortality of malaria infection in both adults and children. The mosquito vector was identified among numerous other causes of malaria. The pervasive role of ethnomedical sociocultural, and belief systems on KAP and perception of malaria were revealed. Both communities will likely benefit from health education interventions which recognize the belief systems of the two communities.