Socio-economic implications of the management of HIV positive pregnant women--a review of four cases in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

AIDS constitutes a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. The experience at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (O.A.U.T.H.C.), Ile-Ife, Nigeria has shown that HIV/AIDS is not uncommon. Screening of pregnant women with symptoms and signs suggestive of HIV/AIDS revealed 5 cases in three years (1996-1998). Four of these cases were reviewed to highlight the socio-economic implications and the burden of the disease on maternal and child health in our environment. It was shown that the socio-economic status of the women could not support adequate management of their conditions resulting in poor outcomes namely abortion, increased risk of infection to the baby and debts from hospital bills among others. Improvement in the socio-economic conditions of the populace and community health education on HIV/AIDS will enhance the outcome of management in pregnancy. In addition to emphasising preventive measures, research into appropriate mode of management of HIV/AIDS in pregnancy is urgently needed in our environment.

Infant feeding practices in a deprived environment: a concern for early introduction of water and glucose D water to neonates.

The main objective of this study was to inquire from lactating mothers whether they were fully or partially practising exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months postnatally. Time of initiation of breast and complementary feedings, types of feeds and reasons for giving other feeds to infants apart from breast milk were also examined. The data were collected by structured pretested questionnaire. Of the 200 nursing mothers interviewed, 103 (51.5%) and 77 (38.5%) reported to have given water and glucose D water to neonates respectively within the first week of life. Sieved cornpap was the popular weaning diet. Time of introducing complementary feeding to infants, and nursing mothers' educational levels, were highly significantly related (P = 0.005). Surprisingly, none of the nursing mothers listed infant formula as one of the complementary feeds. It is concluded that there is a strong need to correct this unnecessary practice of giving water and glucose D water to neonates to prevent thirst and Jaundice respectively. The correction should commence with health workers and then the nursing mothers.

PIP: This paper examines the practice of exclusive breast-feeding in the first 6 months after birth among lactating mothers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The study also determines the time of initiation of breast-feeding and complementary feedings, type of feeds, and reasons for giving water and glucose D water to neonates. The investigation was carried out among 200 nursing mothers using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Of the 200 nursing mothers interviewed, 103 and 77 reported to have given water and glucose D water to neonate respectively within the first week of life. Mothers usually used sieved cornpap as a weaning diet. The time of introducing complementary feeding to infants were significantly related to the nursing mother's educational levels. Surprisingly, none of the nursing mothers listed infant formula as one of the complementary feeds. This study suggests that there exists a wrong practice in the timing of starting complementary feeding to neonates. The practice of giving water and glucose D water to neonates to prevent thirst and jaundice, respectively, is unnecessary. Therefore, necessary corrective measures are needed.

Blood pressure distribution of Nigerians in the first two decades of life.

The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 2301 Nigerian boys and 2017 Nigerian girls were measured. Their ages, which were in the range 1-20 years, heights and weights were also recorded. The relationship between these variables are discussed. Selected percentiles of systolic and diastolic pressures for different ages and weights are given.