Gideon I.A Okoroiwu
Abstract
Background: Anaemia is a major public health problem in developing countries, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age. About 43.0% of children under five years are anaemic worldwide, and two-third are residing in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of ...
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Background: Anaemia is a major public health problem in developing countries, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age. About 43.0% of children under five years are anaemic worldwide, and two-third are residing in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk of anaemia, age and sex-related prevalence among the children aged 0-5 years in Gwagwalada area Council, Abuja. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between February 2018 and October 2019 in four selected operating Clinics (Township; Angwan-Dodo Primary Health; Dagiri Primary Health and Paiko Primary Health Clinics); one hundred and fifty blood samples were collected using cluster random sampling from 0-5 year old children to determine the prevalence of anemia among them, using the standard Cyanmethaemoglobin method, with a view to establishing the age and sex mostly affected. Statistical analysis was done using Odds ratio (OR), Chi-square, and simple percentages. Results: Out of the 150 children with the mean standard deviation of 2.9 ± 1.09 years screened for anemia, 88(58.7%) had anemia, while the age-related prevalence was higher in 2-3 year old age group with 26(70.3%; OR= 2.03) followed by those within the age range of 3-4 years with 24 subjects (64.9%; OR = 1.59). The sex-related prevalence was higher in females with 48 subjects (61.5%); economic status, educational and job status of the children’s parents had a significant effect on the prevalence of anemia. Conclusion: The total prevalence rate of 58.7% of anemia among the children demands urgent attention to prevent anaemia associated complications among them. Continuous public health education programs for the mothers and caretakers of the children are suggested to upgrade their knowledge on anemia, higlighting the need and importance of proper nutrition with iron-supplement.
Gideon. I.A. Okoroiwu
Abstract
Background: Ascaris worm, as one of the commonest helminthic infections, constitutes a major public health challenge and concern in the majority of developing countries. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Ascaris worm infection and its associated risk factors among primary school children ...
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Background: Ascaris worm, as one of the commonest helminthic infections, constitutes a major public health challenge and concern in the majority of developing countries. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Ascaris worm infection and its associated risk factors among primary school children in Lambata community to determine the prevalence of Ascaris infection, age, gender and associated risk factors among them to create awareness and effective management program. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between January 2019 and November 2020, in nine selected primary schools in Lambata community. A total of 303 stool samples were collected using random sampling to determine the prevalence of Ascaris infection using stool smear technique. The socio-demographic data were collected, using a structured interview questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using simple percentages, OR and chi-square analytical methods. Results: Out of the 303 screened stool samples, 156 (51.5%) had Ascaris infection. The most infected age-groups were 11-12 years old (73.8%; OR = 2.11) and 9-10 years (57.1%; OR = 2.01), while 6-8 year old subjects had the lowest rate (42.3%; OR = 1.00) of infection. Males (65.9%; OR= 2.00) were more infected than their female (39.9%; OR = 0.09) counterparts (p <0.05). Age, educational status / occupational status of parents, and defecation habits were significantly(p <0.05) associated with the prevalence of Ascaris infection. Conclusion: With the overall prevalence of 51.5% of Ascaris infection among the subjects, there is an indispensable need for health education promotion and coordinated de-worming of the primary school children in this community
Mahtab Hadadi; Yalda Malekzadegan; Hamid Heidari; Hadi Sedigh Ebrahim-Saraie; Mohammad Motamedifar
Volume 4, Issue 4 , October 2016, , Pages 194-198
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Escherichia coli, known as a clinically significantbacteria, can cause a wide range of infections, including urinarytract infections (UTIs), blood stream infections (BSIs), andcan frequently be isolated from various clinical specimens.Evaluation of antimicrobial resistant pattern ...
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AbstractBackground: Escherichia coli, known as a clinically significantbacteria, can cause a wide range of infections, including urinarytract infections (UTIs), blood stream infections (BSIs), andcan frequently be isolated from various clinical specimens.Evaluation of antimicrobial resistant pattern is a necessaryaction, especially about such bacteria which are frequent andlife threatening. The aim of this study was to determine thefrequency and antimicrobial resistance pattern of E. coli isolatesobtained from various clinical specimens.Methods: This retrospective study was performed within a sevenmonth period from January 2015 to August 2015 at a specializedwomen and children hospital in Shiraz, Iran. E. coli isolates wereobtained from various clinical specimens and identified usingstandard microbiological procedure. Antimicrobial susceptibilitypatterns were determined using disk diffusion method inaccordance with CLSI recommendation.Results: Of the total 130 positive cultures, the majority of E.coli isolates were obtained from urine (96=73.8%) and blood(11=8.5%) specimens. Overall, gentamicin (70.8%) was theeffective antibiotic for the tested E. coli isolates. E. coli isolatesobtained from urine specimens showed the highest resistancerates against ampicillin (84.4%) and nalidixic acid (61.5%);while they showed the most sensitivity to gentamicin (79.2%),nitrofurantoin (70.8%) and ciprofloxacin (66.7%). Moreover,the highest antibiotic resistance rates belonged to the isolatesrecovered from endotracheal tube (ETT).Conclusion: The results showed that gentamicin was the mosteffective antibiotic against E. coli infections. However, inaddition to the gentamicin, we can recommend nitrofurantoinand ciprofloxacin as the other effective agents for UTIs.
Asma Kazemi; Zahra Hassanzadeh Rostami; Masoumeh Akhlaghi
Volume 2, Issue 3 , July 2014, , Pages 93-98
Abstract
Background: The association between snacking patterns, sleep hours, and physical activity with growth status and appetite of preschool children was investigated.Methods: Sixty three children aged 3-7 years with low appetite and weight for age ratio below the 25th percentile were enrolled from those referring ...
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Background: The association between snacking patterns, sleep hours, and physical activity with growth status and appetite of preschool children was investigated.Methods: Sixty three children aged 3-7 years with low appetite and weight for age ratio below the 25th percentile were enrolled from those referring to Nader Kazemi Polyclinic in Shiraz. Information regarding the parents’ education, sleep hours, physical activity, appetite, and snacking patterns was obtained by interview. Height and weight were measured and energy intake was estimated by 2-day food recall. Appetite was rated on a 5-point scale based on the maternal report.Results: Mother’s education, the number of children in the household, and physical activity were not associated with either growth failure, energy intake, or appetite, but the fathers’ education more than Diploma was associated with higher energy intake in children (P=0.015). Children who slept <11 hours a day had higher energy intake (P=0.026) but worse weight status (P=0.015). Children who always ate snacks close to the main meals had significantly higher energy intake but more severe growth failure. High consumption of fruit drinks, cakes, and potato chips was associated with exacerbated growth faltering whereas nuts consumption was related to better height status. None of the evaluated parameters was associated with children’s appetite.Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest the importance of sufficient sleep, limited consumption of snacks, and the type and time of snack consumption in growth of children with poor appetite. Nutritious snacks such as nuts may be more beneficial than nutrient-poor snacks for growth of children.
