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Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-3208.ijli-19-2853
H. Radwan EmanCorresponding author
Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Egypt.
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasite in schoolchildren in Damanhur, Egypt and some of its villages. The pathogenic enteric protozoa have been progressively involved in bargaining the soundness of a great many individuals, for the most part in creating nations. Mediations are being set up to control the dreariness and mortality because of these protozoan contaminations. A portion of these mediations target school going kids with regards to class based wellbeing intercession. The present examination concentrated on exploring the commonness of intestinal protozoan contaminations among younger students chose networks comprising of urban, urban-poor and per urban settlements in the Damanhour and a few towns. In the present work Giardia lamblia was the second usually identified protozoan with a diseases rate 10.4% among the analyzed cases. In the present examination generally speaking level of parasitic contaminations among the kids was 57.3%. It's viewed as Enterobius vermicularis was the most usually identified protozoan as it spoke to 4.1% of the parasitic diseases in the considered cases pursued by Ascaris lumbricoides; 1.4% and Giardia lamblia contaminations as they spoke to 0.6%; separately. The protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium are regularly present in surface waters and cause episodes in this manner legitimately affecting human wellbeing.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-17-1591
Scott JanCorresponding author
Professor, Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Background: There are relatively few research publications of mental health promotion initiatives for primary school aged children that are based in community rather than educational settings. Aims: To describe developmental frameworks and models of mentoring, coaching and mental health promotion and to summarize any evidence for the efficacy of community initiatives. Methods: An umbrella review was undertaken of publications on theories and models, and a synthesis of findings from reviews of outcomes of mentoring, mental health promotion initiatives undertaken outside of school time for children aged 5-11 years. Results: Developmental mentoring on its own or in combination with outside school activities is potentially more flexible in terms of delivery and targets than school-based programs. Pooled effect sizes (range about 0.2-0.4) suggest modest but significant gains across several key domains (cognition, emotion, physical health, and social connectedness) that equate to about 10 percentile point on the developmental evaluations employed. Mediators of benefits include the level environmental or individual risk of the child and parental involvement. It is noteworthy that poor quality, atheoretical programs can have detrimental effects. Conclusions: Children aged 5-11 years may be more accepting of, and could make significant gains from, community-based mental health promotion interventions such as developmental mentoring. However, there are some significant gaps in the knowledge-base that need to be addressed through more systematic research.
Jun 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-25-5909
Bisai SamiranCorresponding author
The high prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents in India is still an overwhelming problem. Not only that, there is also a considerable deficiency of various micronutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, serum ferritin, Zinc and Folate etc. in children. These micronutrients have several functional roles for the normal growth and development of children. Unfortunately, recent studies on public health and nutrition intervention have so far focused less on these micronutrition and more on anemia and nutrition. Data for this study obtained from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS 2016-18), a nationally representative survey covering different age group. Specifically, it includes information on 9767 children aged 1-4 years. Out of these surveyed children biomarker data for hemoglobin, serum ferritin, zinc, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and Vitamin D were collected from 8242 children. Micronutrient deficiencies were identified based on WHO and other established cut-off criteria. Wealth quintiles were computed to identify household economic inequality. The prevalence of anemia at the national level was 40.7%. Among micronutrients, folate (22.9%) and zinc (18.7%) deficiencies were most commonly observed, followed by vitamins A (18.3), vitamin B12 (13.8%) and vitamin D (14.0%). Iron deficiency as measured by ferritin was present in 31.6% of children. It is alarming that nearly one in three children (32.8%) suffer from deficiencies in two or more micronutrients. Clear socioeconomic disparities were observed for all micronutrient deficiencies (MND); children in the poorest groups had significantly higher levels of micronutrient deficiencies than children in the richest groups. Among the states, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh had the highest overall micronutrient deficiencies, while West Bengal and Kerala had the lowest. This clearly shows that a large proportion of preschool children in India suffer from anemia and MND, with the prevalence being even more alarming in lower socio-economic settings. This study suggests that there is a need to move beyond single-nutrient interventions and implement comprehensive, multi-micronutrient supplementation or food fortification strategies seamlessly into the existing national health and nutrition programs.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-25-5496
Chigozie Divine OnwukaCorresponding author
Intestinal parasitic helminths pose a significant public health burden, particularly among children. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminths among 550 school children aged 4-12 years in Oru-West L.G.A, Imo State, Nigeria. Stool samples were examined using parasitological techniques, and questionnaires were administered to collect data on risk factors. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminths was 49.1% (270/550), with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most prevalent (30.37%). Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between intestinal parasitic helminths and lack of hand-washing, insufficient toilet facilities, consumption of unwashed vegetables, and poor environmental sanitation. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (P < 0.05). Age-related prevalence was highest among children aged 4-6 (51.85%). Occupational status and educational level of parents were also significant predictors of infection. These findings highlight the need for public health education, provision of basic sanitation facilities, and regular de-worming as preventive measures.
Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-24-5360
Alam RashedCorresponding author
Background Malnutrition is a significant public health issue in Bangladesh, particularly impacting women and children. Rajshahi, marked by socio-economic disparities, offers a distinctive context to explore the nutritional status and health outcomes of these vulnerable groups. Objectives This study aims to assess the nutritional status of women and children in Rajshahi and investigate associated health outcomes. Additionally, it seeks to identify socio-economic and cultural factors that influence nutrition. Methods A mixed-methods approach was utilized, incorporating a cross-sectional survey of 460 households and in-depth interviews with mothers and caregivers. Anthropometric measurements were taken to evaluate the nutritional status of women and children, while dietary assessments measured nutrient intake and diversity. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the likelihood of malnutrition based on socio-economic characteristics, thereby identifying key risk factors. Results The findings indicate a troubling prevalence of malnutrition, with 36% of children under five classified as stunted and 25% as underweight. The analysis highlights critical factors contributing to chronic undernutrition, including maternal education, employment, and dietary diversity. Notably, mothers aged 27-37 exhibit a lower risk of undernutrition, and urban households with secure food access demonstrate better nutritional outcomes. Discussion Maternal education and employment were positively associated with better nutritional outcomes, as educated and employed mothers had higher chances of maintaining a normal BMI. Regular ANC visits (≥4 visits) were crucial for improved maternal nutrition. Household food security emerged as a significant determinant, with food-secure households showing better maternal nutritional status. Safe water access and adequate dietary diversity were also linked to improved maternal BMI. Additionally, factors such as child birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, and childhood diarrhea significantly influenced maternal nutrition. Moreover, frequent antenatal care visits and a diverse diet are vital in mitigating undernutrition risks among children. Conclusion This study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat malnutrition in Rajshahi. Recommendations include implementing community-based nutrition education programs and improving access to healthcare services. By addressing the socio-economic and cultural determinants of nutrition, stakeholders can enhance health outcomes for women and children in the region, ultimately contributing to broader public health objectives in Bangladesh.
Dec 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-24-5358
Kar SonaliCorresponding author
Background Injuries, particularly unintentional ones, are a neglected public health concern and are preventable or avoidable. Children in urban slums are especially vulnerable due to hazardous living conditions, inadequate supervision, and lack of safe sojourns or play areas. Since these injuries result in seeming spontaneous recovery, appropriate care being initiated by the primary care giver is questionable. Objective To assess the burden of unintentional injuries of unintentional injuries in pre-school going children aged 2-6 years in urban slums of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. To compare the knowledge of the 1st level care post-injury among the primary care givers against standardized prescribed care. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted for over 2 years in urban slums under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the capital city of Odisha. A total of 285 children aged 2-6 years, whose mothers consented to participate, were included in the study. Data regarding the type of injury and its management, as well as, associated socio-demographic factors, were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to derive the burden of unintentional injuries in children. The knowledge of the 1st level of care to be given after the common injuries was assessed among all the primary caregivers to detect the treatment and care gap. Results The majority of primary respondents were mothers aged 21-30 years (82.1%), The frequency of an episode of unintentional injury (occurrence in last 3 months) in the study population was found to be 58%. The most common type of injury reported was skin lacerations or tears, common site being in the upper and lower limbs. Males were more affected as compared to females (54.64 %) The reporting of unintentional injuries among the children was found to have significant association with the occupation of the father. Fathers who were unemployed or working as unskilled labor, their child’s probability of reporting an unintentional injury was found to be high, with p value coming to be statistically significant. Conclusion The study highlights the complex interplay of sociodemographic factors influencing unintentional injuries among children in urban slums and the need to create awareness among the primary caregivers, about the immediate management, so that chronic complications may be averted. It is difficult to avert injury as this age group is agile and nowadays supervision is challenging. Still, the knowledge of management would not just empower the caregiver, but also the growing child, who can attend to their younger siblings or themselves, whenever they get injured next. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to validate these findings and develop effective prevention strategies.
Aug 2024
Balachandra ShivaiahCorresponding author
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is widely used in pediatric patients to identify hypertension and its complications. Previous studies correlating obesity and hypertension using ABPMs showed increasing blood pressure loads with increasing BMI. However, BMI percentiles are more reliable indicators of obesity in children. Our study aimed to describe the association between BMI percentiles and systolic and diastolic blood pressure load using ABPM in children and adolescents. Retrospective analysis of ABPMs (Welch Allyn) was performed on a total of 115 patients between 7 and 18 years of age who were referred for elevated BP without a diagnosis of hypertension at our institution from Jan 2011 to Oct 2013. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on BMI percentile: <94th percentile, 94–98th percentile, 98–99th percentile, and >99th percentile. Analysis between blood pressure loads and BMI percentiles revealed greater mean systolic and diastolic loads with increasing BMI percentiles, but the P value was not statistically significant. Analysis of the systolic loads between children from different racial backgrounds revealed higher values in African American children than in Hispanic and Caucasian children, but the P value was not statistically significant.
Jun 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-24-5099
Schwarz SilkeCorresponding author
Parents' and siblings’ role model motivation and function could play an important role in positively influencing both their own media behavior and that of family members. To investigate whether parents and siblings consciously take on this role model function, their intentions were being evaluated with a standardized questionnaire before a 6-week media fasting intervention. 135 pairs of parents and 178 pairs of children were included. A major component of the parents' media fasting intention to media fast was to be a role model for their children. This was particularly related to the idea that media fasting has something cleansing about it, as well as the hope of becoming more attentive and calm as a family. These parents seem to want to strengthen family cohesion and climate and protect their children from excessive media consumption. Children who want to be role models for their parents also intend to have a positive influence within the family and want to be role models for their siblings. Regression analyses revealed several predictors of the parents' intent for role model function: the hope of becoming more attentive and calm as a family, the view that media fasting has something cleansing about it, and the perception that it is good for one's children to use less digital screen media, and, inversely, age (R2 =.35). The best predictors of the corresponding intention among the children were the desire to be a role model for their siblings, for the family to do more together again and, as for the parents, a younger age (R2=.57). The intentions of both groups are different, but the possibility of using less media is perceived as sensible. The role model function appears to be a relevant motivating and influencing factor regarding the conscious use of digital screen media and regulation of screen time. This should be taken into account when developing interventions.
May 2024
Mangueina DanielCorresponding author
Waterborne diseases pose a significant global public health threat, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where frequent outbreaks occur. These diseases stemming from contaminated drinking water, poor waste management, and insufficient hygiene contribute to high morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years old. A study addressed waterborne diseases in N'Djamena, Chad's 3rd and 9th districts, through decision-making strategies. The research employed various methods, including a household survey using questionnaires, workshops, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Additionally, documentary research provided essential data for analysing the situation of diseases in the community. Epidemiological data from 2019- 2022 indicated a substantial prevalence of diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, skin infections, typhoid, abdominal pain, and malaria, with notable mortality, especially among children. Among surveyed households, 50% believed the consumed water was contaminated, attributing it to faecal matter, while 28% and 22% linked the diseases to inadequate hygiene and unsanitary conditions, respectively. The study advocates for comprehensive strategies, including improving water treatment efficiency, implementing safe waste management, promoting hygiene, and vaccination. Active involvement of all stakeholders, with municipal authorities leading, is crucial for effective implementation and combating waterborne diseases.
Dec 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-23-4750
Godar MousamiCorresponding author
Background Preconception care is a crucial aspect of maternal and child healthcare services that aims to mitigate adverse pregnancy outcomes and enhance the desired health outcomes for women, newborns, and children. Despite the continuous multi-sectoral efforts in preconception care, maternal mortality and morbidity remain significant health concerns globally. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of preconception care and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in Bheerkot Municipality, Nepal. Methodology A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 215 reproductive-age women to assess knowledge and practice regarding preconception care in Bheerkot Municipality, Nepal. Structured questionnaires were designed in the Nepali language and used in face-to-face interviews. We used a simple random sampling technique to collect quantitative data. In a statistical analysis, we employed the Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis to identify possible predictors using the odds ratio and considered variables with p<0.05 statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. Result Out of the 215 women who participated in the study, only 46.9% had a good knowledge of preconception care. Approximately half (43.7%) of the respondents had never practiced preconception care. Among respondents who had practiced preconception care before, 47.9% reported good practice, and 52.1% reported poor practice. Age of the respondent (χ2=14.2063, P=0.000823, df=1), marital status (χ2=17.9851, P=0.000022, df=1), time to reach a health facility (χ2=30.1371, P=0.00001, df=1), and age at first pregnancy (χ2=4.7975, P=0.0285, df=1) were statistically associated with knowledge about preconception care. Women who have foreign employment as a major source of family income and whose age is from 25 to 34 years were more likely to have a better practice of preconception care than their counterparts (COR 3.5000, CI 1.3343 to 9.1805, P = 0.0109) and (COR 3.4000, CI 1.1646 to 9.9265, P = 0.0252), respectively. Additionally, out of those who practiced preconception care, most respondents (93.4%) have practiced it in government health facilities. Conclusion Respondents had relatively poor knowledge and practice of preconception care. Collaboration of governmental health institutions between multiple sectors at local levels for more education and information and a specific national protocol or policy formulation would be beneficial in improving preconception care in Nepal.
Apr 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-1201.jsn-23-4385
Getabalew AytenewCorresponding author
Background Traumatic brain injury in pediatrics is one of the commonest causes of morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries Study showed that death of pediatrics from traumatic brain injury was 7.3%. However, there is limited data towards the outcome of traumatic brain injury and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Objective To assess the outcome of traumatic brain injury and associated factors among pediatrics patients in Amhara National Regional State Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia. Methods An institution based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 pediatrics patients from January 1, 2019 to December 30, 2021, and data extraction period was from May 16 to June15, 2022. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Data were collected from patient charts and registry books by using a data extraction tool. Data were entered into the Epi-info version 7 and analysis was done by SPSS Version 25. Both Bi-variable and multi-variable analyses were employed to identify factors associated with outcome of traumatic brain injury. Result From 423 sampled study participant charts 404 of them had complete information with response rate of 95.5% and included in the final analysis. The overall unfavorable outcome of traumatic brain injury at discharge was found that 12.13% (95% CI: 9.1% - 15.7 %). Sever traumatic brain injury (AOR: 5.11(CI :1.8-14.48), moderate traumatic brain injury (AOR:2.44(CI:1.07-5.58), Hyperglycemia (AOR: 3.01 (CI:1.1-8.04), sign of increased intracranial pressure (AOR:7.4(CI:3.5-15.26), and medical comorbidity (AOR: 2.65(CI:1.19-5.91) were predicted of unfavorable outcome of traumatic brain injury pediatrics patient. Conclusion and recommendations twelve present of traumatic brain injury results unfavorable outcome. Sever and moderate form of traumatic brain injury, hyperglycemia, signs of increased intracranial pressure, and medical comorbidity were factors associated with unfavorable outcome of traumatic brain injury in children. Therefore, it is preferable to improve accesses to acute and post-acute care services to lower the unfavorable outcome of traumatic brain injury in children.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4116
Shuja SabaCorresponding author
Background In Low Middle-Income Countries (LIMCs), malnutrition, especially undernutrition is one of the leading causes of childhood mortality and morbidity. Poor complementary feeding practices are among the most notable contributors to poor nutritional indicators in children under five. This article provides an output of secondary data analysis of the Cost of Diet (CoD) and Optifood component of National Complementary Feeding Assessment conducted by UNICEF Pakistan along with Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) 2018. Methods For correlation of Optifood data and CoD data with PDHS data of CF, GraphPad software, MS Excel was used along with manual quantifications. The analysis of DHS-2018 data was conducted using STATA software. Univariate analysis included comparison of categorical variables i.e. various individual, household and community level parameters with that of outcome variables of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum dietary diversity (MAD) using chi-square test. Findings The overall rate of MMF was 56.6% among children of 6-23 months of age with MDD in 18.6% and MAD in 13.8% of children. Percentage of annual cost spent on nutritious diet for MDD, MMF and MAD varies from 27.86% to 43.08% across all the provinces. Children aged 6–8 months and 9–11 months often consumed infant milk and cereals, while children aged 12–23 months often consumed eggs and grain products. Consumption of dairy products was highest in Punjab, Sindh, AJK, and Islamabad, that of grains roots and tubers was highest in KPK, FATA and GB. Conclusion Considering CF practices in Pakistan are inadequate as indicated by poor MDD, MMF, and MAD, therefore it is imperative that a holistic approach using both communication and non-communication based interventions is to be employed through active stakeholder engagement.
Dec 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5518.jcci-22-4374
Soda Mbaye MarèmeCorresponding author
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Fann University Hospital Center, Dakar, Senegal
Intrathoracic foreign bodies secondary to penetrating wounds are rare in children. We report the observation of a 10-year-old patient who presented an intrapulmonary metallic foreign body following a playful accident. Its migratory aspect, highlighted by imaging, required urgent extraction which was performed by thoracotomy, with good clinical outcome. The interest of the question lies in the circumstances of the incident, the type of foreign body and the terrain.
Oct 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4281
Nakachwa MariaCorresponding author
School of Post Graduate Studies and Research, Nkumba University, Entebbe 237, Uganda
Uganda still grapples with a high maternal mortality rates of 336 deaths per 100,000. Expectant mothers across the country lack awareness about the availability of antenatal care services; yet attendance of antenatal care services during pregnancy is crucial in protecting the health of women and unborn children. This article describes a protocol for investigating the effectiveness of mobile telephone communication interventions on the utilization of antenatal care services among expectant mothers in the districts of Kyotera and Rakai Districts in Uganda. Under the protocol, 28 health facilities in the districts of Kyotera and Rakai will be selected using simple random sampling and allocated into the intervention and control arms at a ratio of 1:1. A total of 2224 expectant mothers receiving antenatal care from the sampled health facilities will be recruited using systematic sampling. Expectant mothers receiving antenatal care from facilities allocated into the intervention arm will receive mobile telephone voice and text messages reminders for scheduled ANC visits. The mobile telephone messages will further provide maternal health information and availability of ANC services on a fortnightly basis. On the other hand, expectant mothers receiving antenatal care from facilities allocated into the control group will not get any reminders for scheduled ANC visit and maternal health information through the mobile telephone communication platform. Expectant mothers in the control arm will receive standard maternal health care without reminders. Expectant mothers in both groups will provide baseline data, midterm data will be obtained from the ANC registers at 6 moths while end of term data will be collected after an intervention period of 12months. The data collected will include the number of antenatal care visits attended, antenatal care services obtained from the health facilities, sociodemographic factors and mobile telephone usage, ownership and knowledge. The anticipated outcomes are; increased awareness and utilization of ANC services.
May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4190
Bartle JodieCorresponding author
Department of Nutrition & Food Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Background Nutrition support during the acute phase post allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is required to optimise short- and long-term outcomes for children. An algorithm was developed and evaluated to assist clinicians to make objective and consistent enteral feeding decisions. Methods The algorithm was evaluated on all patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT treatment between November 2017 - February 2019. Results Of the 48 patients, 43 had a nasogastric tube (NGT) inserted, of which 36 patients received a hydrolysed peptide-based formula, 5 patients received a whole protein formula only and 2 patients were fed an amino acid-based formula. Parenteral nutrition (PN) was used in 41 of the patients. Eleven did not have an NGT in-situ at the commencement of HSCT. Of the remaining 37 patients, 26 followed the algorithm and 11 patients did not comply. The group of patients who did not follow the algorithm had the longest median length of stay (LOS) of 49 days. Patients receiving only EN had the lowest median LOS of 30 days. The two groups that reported better weight outcomes were those who followed the algorithm and those who were fully EN fed. Conclusions Effective use of the HSCT feeding algorithm indicated improved patient outcomes for children undergoing HSCT, with better weight outcomes and reduced LOS. Recommendations to improve the efficacy and compliance of the algorithm include regular education/input to the oncology medical teams to better understand objective thresholds for EN and PN commencement.
May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4149
Lemma WossensegedCorresponding author
Department of Medical Parasitology; School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
In Ethiopia stunting, underweight and wasting in school children are very common. The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of intestinal helminthes and schistosomiasis on malnutrition, anaemia and haematological indices in the school age children of Azezo Elementary School in Gondar town. Kato Katz technique was performed to determine infection and intensity of intestinal helminth infections. AnthroPlus software version 1.04 was used to get malnutrition indices while fully automated haematological analyzers were used to determine haematological and biochemical parameters. A total of 384 school children were recruited in this study. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 45.8% (178/384) with the leading Ascarislumbericoides infection (20.6%) compared to the second leading Schistosomamansoni (17.4%) and third leading hook worm infections (13.3%). The prevalences of body mass indexes for age Z-scores (BAZ) indices were 9.6% (37) very sever thin, 17.2% (66) sever thin, 38.3% (147) thin, 34.4% (132) normal and 0.5% (2) overweight. On the other hand, the prevalences of height for age Z-scores (HAZ) indices were 12.2% (47) stunt, 87% (334) normal and 0.8% (3) over height. Of the total 384 school age children, 335 (87.2%) had normal blood glucose level (70 – 110 mg/dL) while the remaining 49 (12.8%) school age children were hypoglycemic. The number of the school children with normal total protein level (6.6 – 8 g/dL) was 259 (67.4%) while the remaining 125 (32.6%) school children were hypo-proteinaemic. The prevalence of anemia in the school age children was 33.1% (127). Intestinal helminth infections were statistically significantly associated (p = 0.000) with hypo-proteinaemia, anemia and number of lymphocytes compared with non-infected school children. The likelihood of anemia in intestinal helminth infected school children, when it was compared with uninfected, was 148 times higher for both Ascaris lumbericoides-Schistosoma mansoni co-infection, 38 times for Hookworm, 20 times for Schistosoma mansoni and 3 times for Ascaris lumbericoides mono-infections. Conclusion: Intestinal helminth infections in school age children aggravate malnutrition. Prolonged malnutrition and intestinal helminth infections could result in stunting in school-age children.
Oct 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-5014.jphn-21-3923
Keita Y.Corresponding author
Pediatric unit of Aristide Le Dantec hospital, Dakar
We report 2 cases of vitamin B12 deficiency in children due to deficient intake. These were 2 girls aged 4 years (case 1) and 6 years (case 2), respectively, hospitalized in December 2020 and March 2021 in the pediatric ward of Le Dantec hospital. Both patients presented with aregenative anemia, melanoderma and undernutrition. The bone marrow count in case 1 showed a dysmyelopoiesis with megablastosis. The blood vitamin B12 level was low in both cases. Folic acid blood levels were normal in both patients, but an associated martial deficiency was found in case 2. The dietary survey revealed a lack of intake of animal products rich in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 replacement therapy was effective with rapid regression of all clinical signs observed in both children. The control of the vitamin B12 level after 1 month of treatment was normal in both patients. The disappearance of the symptoms under substitute treatment confirmed the deficiency of Vitamin B12 intake in both patients. Conclusion: Both of our patients had a profound Vitamin B12 deficiency in a context of deficiency in nutrition. The regression of the symptoms was spectacular under vitamin B12 replacement therapy, confirming the deficiency. We recommend in our context a contribution in micronutrients such as vitamins in children after weaning to avoid dietary errors.
Oct 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-3951
kaur BaljinderCorresponding author
Dept of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala..
This article has been retracted on July 20, 2022. VIEW THE RETRACTION NOTICE (https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-25-5866) In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now named as SARS-CoV-2, caused a series of acute atypical respiratory diseases in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The disease caused by this virus was termed COVID-19. The virus is transmittable between humans and has caused pandemic worldwide. The number of death tolls continues to rise and a large number of countries have been forced to do social distancing and lockdown. In humans, COVIDs mostly cause respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical manifestations range from a common cold to more severe disease such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure and even death. Preliminary evidence suggests children are just as likely as adults to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 but are less likely to be symptomatic or develop severe symptoms. in our study , we consider the symptomatology , complications and mortality patterns of this disease in children.
Jul 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-21-3897
Pamela NanaCorresponding author
Interstate center in public health in Central Africa (CIESPAC)
Background Water-related diseases are water-related disorders of the body. They are a public health problem as they are responsible for 60% of infant mortality in our developing countries. There are few studies in South Cameroon on the subject. Overall Objective of this work was to study the explanatory behavioral factors of waterborne diseases in children aged 0 to 5 years in the health area of the urban dispensary in Ebolowa in Cameroon in 2020. Methodology This was an analytical cross-sectional study comparing two groups of children (group 1: children affected by waterborne diseases group 2: children unaffected by waterborne diseases) within the health area of the Ebolowa urban area. It lasted 21 months and the study period was from 28 December 2020 to 22 January 2021. We included children aged 0 to 5 years present in households where parents/guardians gave their informed consent. Sampling was probabilistic and cluster sampling. Using the Kelsey formula, we obtained a sample of 420 households and 566 children. Data was collected using a questionnaire and stored in the Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with CDC USA's epi info software 7.2.2.6. The calculation p value was done with Stat Calc at the significance threshold of 0.05. Bold The proportion of waterborne diseases was 97% (549/566) among the children aged 0 to 5 years surveyed. The most common reasons for using the health service for children aged 0-5 years were diarrhea 78.62% (IC75.06-81.80), and malaria 78.09% (74.09-81.30). The median age of children suffering from these pathologies was 36 months (24; 60). The gender ratio (Boys/Girls) was 2.06/1. Conclusion We propose to increase the awareness of mothers/guardians on good practices; also, to increase health promotion in the fight against waterborne diseases.
Jul 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2835-2165.jfsh-20-3579
Bedada ShumiCorresponding author
Disease Control and Prevention Department, Bale Zone Health Office, Robe, Ethiopia.
Introduction Foodborne diseases are a major public health problem which predominantly affects infants and young children. Appropriate complementary food hygiene practice is very important to reduce the prevalence of foodborne illnesses. However, the information regarding this practice is not available and assessed before. Thus, the study was aimed to assess complementary food hygiene practices among mothers of children aged 6-23 months. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Robe town on a samples of 517 mother-child pairs, which were selected by using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire, and each variable was described in the frequency and percentage. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with complementary food hygiene practice. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to assess levels of significance. Result The result indicated that 55% of participated mothers scored above the mean score of food hygiene practices. Mothers of children aged 12-23 months had higher odds to practice good food hygiene measures than those of aged 6-11 months (AOR, 1.82 95% CI (1.21, 2.73)). Mothers whose children attended growth monitoring session practice good food hygiene than their counterpart (AOR, 2.74 95% CI (1.49, 5.06)). Mothers having media exposure, and having knowledge on critical times of hand washing had relatively good food hygiene measures (AOR, 0.73 95 CI (1.14, 2.62)). Among food hygiene measures; handwashing with water and soap were low before eating food (17%), before feeding children (21%) and before preparing food (32%) when compared with after visiting the toilet (81%) and touching dirt (68%). Conclusion and Recommendation The study identified that food hygiene practices in the current study were mainly associated with child age, growth monitoring follow-up, maternal awareness about critical times of hand washing, and media exposure. So, improving knowledge of mothers on critical times of handwashing, strengthening growth monitoring follow-up and media promotion are important measures to improve food hygiene practices among mothers of infants and young children.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-21-3859
Erigene RutayisireCorresponding author
Public Health Department, Mount Kenya University Rwanda
In Rwanda, 38% children aged 6-59 months are stunted. In Ngoma District, stunting rate is estimated at 41% among the children aged below 5 years. The study objective was to evaluate the prevalence and factors contributing to under nutrition among children aged 6- 59 months in Ngoma District. Cluster sampling was used to determine the study participants for each sector within 14 sectors by considering the sample size of 442. The WHO Anthro software version 3.2.2 was used to determine the nutritional status of the children. SPSS version 24 was used for analysis. Of 442 children participated in the study 50.9% of them were females, 24.4% were aged 15-23 months and the majority of children (89.8%) born with normal birth weight. Study findings revealed that the prevalence of under nutrition was 33.7% for stunting, 3.6% for wasting and 6.6% underweighted. Poor sanitation facility (AOR: 4.1, 95%CI: 1.83-9.3, p=0.001), poor diet (AOR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.18-3, p=0.008) were significantly associated with stunting. Factors such as lack of hand-washing facilities (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.013-6.3, p=0.047), not eat vegetables (AOR: 4.4, 95%CI: 1.7-10.96, p=0.001), and not eat fishes (AOR: 4.1, 95%CI: 1.6-10.6, p=0.003) were associated with wasting. Short breastfeeding duration (AOR: 4.5, 95%CI: 2.9-7.2, p=0.001), not eat vegetables (AOR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.1-3.05, p=0.008), and not eat eggs (AOR: 2, 95%CI: 1.3-2.9, p=0.001) were associated with underweight. Poor families with under-five children need continuous support that will assist them to improve nutritional status of their children.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-3758
Hewageegana NS RajapaksaCorresponding author
National Consultant Health System Enhancement Project Sri Lanka
“Health Promoting Village” concept named as “Happy Villages” started in 2007 in Badulla District in Uva Province was a community mobilization process through which village communities have been empowered to look after their community health. The areas included were Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) prevention , Alcohol and drug abuse. Gender Based Violence. The programmed used many interactive tools as “Mood Chart” or “Happiness Calendar” which was giving a visualizing effect. Continuous assessments done from 2009 to 2013 showed that the Health promotion strategies used in the Happy Village concept in the Uva Province can effectively and efficiently be utilized for improvement of nutrition and achievement of milestones in children. From 2017 a National program is launched named “Happy Villages”. During the Covid 19 outbreak health promotion approaches were initiated to change in lay communities successfully. Villagers had actively engaged, collectively acted in responsible manner, and identified measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission in their households, neighbourhood and community. The use of village empowerment had become a fruitful source to face the Covid pandemic in Sri Lanka. Almost 300 “Happy Villages” around the country have made facing the Covid epidemic their chief task. Many innovative ideas and practices in facing Covid 19 pandemic at village level including a visualizing calendar to identify the risk behaviours of the family members as well as the Happiness calendar to identify the family stress levels are among them. Health promotion concept is getting rooted around the country with active participation of the villages with a multisectoral support. Continuous monitoring and evaluation and sharing best practices will show the world the effectiveness of Health Promotion and the ability of empowered people in facing pandemic situations
May 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-21-3820
Rutayisire ErigeneCorresponding author
Department of public Health, Mount Kenya University Rwanda Kigali Rwanda
In Rwanda the prevalence of mother-to-child HIV transmission is 1.5%, the prevalence was found to be higher in rural area. The purpose of this study was to determine the Prevalence and Risk Factors of HIV Infection among Children born from HIV Positive Women in Musanze District. The study findings help to decrease the rate of HIV infection among children born from mother HIV positive to zero. This study was conducted in Musanze District, Northern Province in Rwanda. The study targeted 420 HIV positive mothers who delivery in different health facilities located in Musanze district form January 2019 to December 2020 and their children. SPSS version 22 was used for analysis. Of 420 children born from HIV positive mothers 91.7% were aged between 18-24 months, 55.2% were female. The majority of HIV positive mothers 80.2% who participated in the study were married. The prevalence of HIV infection among children born from HIV positive women was 2.9%. Children whose mother had poor adherence to ART were 1.5 times more likely to get HIV at birth compared to those whose mother had good adherence (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI: (1.12-2.21)). Children born from mothers in WHO stage II were more likely to get HIV from their mother (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI: (1.32-2.207)). Children born from HIV positive mother with one ANC visit were 2.5 times more likely to get HIV from their mothers (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: (2.31-5.17)).
Feb 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-21-3709
Howells KristyCorresponding author
Canterbury Christ Church University, UK.
Background Children need to drink enough water (1.1-1.3 litres) throughout the day to stay hydrated and for health benefits1. Wellbeing and cognitive function benefits have been identified for children who are hydrated2. Yet there is a dearth of research focusing specifically on children’s perceptions of their own fluid intake levels and who helps support them in ensuring they are drinking enough water, this is a novel area to investigate. Previous research3 identified that 44.2% of young children’s fluid intake were influenced the strongest by a family member. This paper will explore in further detail the influence of siblings on children’s fluid intake, in particular older versus younger siblings. Methods 130 children (67 girls and 63 boys, of which 45 had a younger sibling (s) and 85 having an elder sibling(s), from 4 primary schools in the South East of England, were questioned between January and April 2019 using an adapted version of Coppinger and Howells’ (2019)4 questionnaire, on their understanding of fluid intake, how much they perceived they drank and who supported them in prompting them to drink. Physical visual representations were used to aid question comprehension and to ensure the questions were appropriate for young children. The data was analysed using SPSS 24.0 using MANOVAs (P < 0.05) to consider statistical variance in gender and older sibling status. Results The most significant results were linked to elder siblings influence younger siblings in drinking too little fluids within a school day (F=0.530, p<0.05), whilst those without an elder sibling, thought they drank beyond the daily recommended guidelines and reported they drank over 2 litres. This illustrates that children misunderstand fluid intake recommendations regardless of whether they have an elder sibling or not. Children named adults, both parents and teachers as well as elder siblings as the key influencers of them drinking (F=3.67, p<0.05) and the data indicated that girls were more influenced by siblings than boys, whilst twins were not influenced by each other. Conclusion It is concluded that siblings do have an influence on the consumption of water, as siblings act as role models and other siblings follow their habits, therefore the whole family unit is important to ensure that the right fluid intake is consumed. It is recommended that further education, curriculum and community development is needed to continue to support young children’s knowledge and understanding of fluid intake.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-20-3629
K QuenumCorresponding author
Neurosurgery Departement of Parakou University Chud/Ba, Republic of Benin
Introduction The extra dural hematoma is a blood collection between the cranial vault and the dura mater. It is a neurosurgical emergency whose statistical data are poorly known in the Republic of Benin. Objective The aims of this study are to assess epidemiology, therapeutic and outcome of traumatic extra dural hematomas for children admitted to the surgical department of CHUD-B/A from 2012 to 2017. Methods This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and retrospective study over a period from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2017. Results One hundred and seventy-eight cases of children aged between 0-15 years were examined for brain traumatic injury. Twenty-seven 27 (15.2%) cases of extra dural hematomas were retained. The most represented age group was between 11-15 years with a frequency of 42.1%. The male sex was more represented (78.9%). Road traffic accidents were the main aetiology (57.9%). 52.6% had a mild head injury, 26.3% had a moderate head injury and 21.1% had a severe head injury. On brain scan the frequently observed location was temporo-parietal (31.6%). Acute anemia was observed in 16 children. Seventeen children were operated on. The operation involved evacuation of extra dural hematoma by cranial bone flap with suspension of the dura mater. There were no deaths. Conclusion The availability of brain CT makes the diagnosis of extra dural hematoma easier. Its management is neurosurgical with a favourable post-operative evolution in all cases in this series.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-20-3458
Bai YeonCorresponding author
Professor, Dept of Nutrition and Food Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, 07043,
Daily intake of fruits and vegetables provides the basis for healthy nutrition. Yet low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) persists among school-aged children. Framed by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutrition lessons combined with an active choice intervention on children’s FV consumption. Using a quasi-experimental design, 89 second graders were assigned to groups. Students in the experimental group (n=46) received four nutrition lessons combined with nine active choice sessions, while those in the control group (n=43) received active choice sessions only. Responses to pre- and post-intervention surveys that inquired FV knowledge and consumption were compared within and between groups using independent and paired t-tests. Empowered by improved knowledge, self-efficacy and the positive environment created through nutrition lessons and active choice, the experimental group showed improvement in consumption behavior compared to the control group at post-intervention: bringing FV to school and finish eating (69.7 vs. 51.2, p=.05 for fruits; 43.5 vs. 39.5, p=.41 for vegetables); like choosing FV (84.8 vs. 65.1, p=.01); like to eat more FV (80.4 vs. 62.8, p=.16); FV are healthy (100 vs. 95.3, p=.14). The magnitude of improvement is small yet consistent in every aspect of outcome measures. Combining nutrition education with the active choice component showed potential for a larger impact on behavior change among study participants. Parental support and community involvement could enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education in schools.
Jan 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-3111
Phadke M.Corresponding author
Sr.Adv, Public Health, Govt. of Mah, UNICEF, Mumbai, India
The present paper describes the significance of anthropometric measurements in detecting nutritional status of individuals, specially children. It highlights evolution of anthropometry, discusses importance of various measurements & their role in determining undernutrition & obesity. There is a need to have one measurement to detect obesity & undernutrition both. An ideal such measure is yet to be established.
Sep 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-19-2995
Chaudhary Nagaraj NitashaCorresponding author
The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Prevention and Community Health
Despite the gains India has made in recent decades, it remains a country with vast gender inequities. Gender sensitization and empowerment programs aimed at young people, precisely at the time when they are forming their gender attitudes, has the potential to diminish gender inequity in the long-term. This study represents data from 36 qualitative in-depth interviews conducted amongst adolescent boys and girls enrolled in grade 7 in northern India, in schools that serve under-resourced communities. The interviews asked questions related to positive youth development, gender roles, violence, and locus of control. The results of the qualitative analysis provide insights into how adolescents perceive gender discrimination in their families and communnites. The majority of expectations for boys revolved around physical labor, while, for girls, gender roles were primarily focused on stopping education early to get married and take care of the household and children. Many of the responses from both boys and girls on privileges/restrictions were related to daughters not being fully educated while sons often were. Furthermore, when comparing between boys and girls (attributes) and understanding superiority, many participants noted there is a clear preference of boys compared to girls. Girls also had higher proportion of violence codes compared to boys, perhaps because many girls felt they were hit more frequently than boys. The results of this qualitative analysis provide direction for both future research as well as the development of gender sensitization interventions specifically designed for adolescents.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2599
PCJ Reddy PrasadCorresponding author
Professor, –Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Background: Severe acute mal nutrition (SAM) among children still remains the major problem in Ethiopia. The shortening of the SAM recovery time by applying appropriate dietary means during treatment and also after recovery, can save huge sums of public health spending. Objectives: Determining the recovery time of SAM affected children and developing complementary food supplement (CFS). Methods: Hospital based retrospective cohort study was carried out on 401 SAM affected children. A structured and pre tested data abstraction form was used for data collection. The data were entered into Epi info and exported to SPSS for analysis. All of the nutritional properties of the developed product in three different ratios of the flours of maize, soybean and powder of moringaolifera leaves were assessed and compared to the control (100% maize). Results: The median recovery time was 16 days. There was a significant increase in protein, mineral and beta carotene content with increasing level of Moringaolifera leaf powder in the CFS. Conclusion: To increase the rate of recovery from sever acute malnutrition and also to prevent relapsing, moringa incorporated cheaper complementary fod supplements could be recommended for SAM affected children.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-6655.jcap-18-2541
S.O OyamakinCorresponding author
Department of Statistics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Many researchers have devoted considerable attention to the impact of individual-level factors on child mortality, but little is known about how family and community characteristics affect health of children. Trend in child mortality as well as its determinants, has long been the subject of academic and policy debates. In spite of this, the problem of child mortality remains as daunting as ever. In fact, advancement in medical sciences and the upsurge in information and telecommunication technology equipment have not significantly reduced child mortality in the country, unlike in the West. The Multilevel proportional hazards model for data that are hierarchically clustered at three levels was applied to the study of covariates of child mortality in Nigeria. This study merges two parallel developments of statistical tools for data analysis: statistical methods known as hazard models that are used for analyzing event-duration data and statistical methods for analyzing hierarchically clustered data known as multilevel models. These developments have rarely been integrated in research practice and the formalization and estimation of models for hierarchically clustered survival data remain largely uncharted. The model was estimated using the Newton-Raphsons numerical search approach. The model accounts for hierarchical clustering with three random effects or frailty effects. We assume that the random effects are independent and follow the Exponential and Weibull distribution. The results indicate that bio-demographic factors are more important in infancy while socioeconomic factors and household and environmental conditions have a greater effect in childhood. Furthermore, there is significant variation in child mortality risks even after controlling for measured determinants of mortality. Also, factors that fall under family and community level are more significant indicating that child survival is most controlled or determined by family and community factors and variables at the child level is not weighty. This suggests that there may exits unobserved or unobservable factors related to mortality.
Nov 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-18-2291
Muhammed Bah YahyaCorresponding author
University of The Gambia, School of Arts and Sciences, Brikama Campus, The Gambia, West Africa
In The Gambia like all nations, drug abuse is seen as a social and health problem that has many serious implications for the physical, social, psychological and intellectual development of the victims more especially, the children. Therefore, it continues to be a concern to families, community leaders, educators, social workers, health care professionals, academics, government and its development partners. Though there are some studies on drug abuse, there is none on children and drug abuse focusing on the street children the most vulnerable category. Street children are hypothesized to be more at risk of any epidemic including drug abuse. This study sought to determine the risk and prevalence of drug abuse among street children focusing on those in the car parks. The research was focused on six critical areas: level of knowledge of drug abuse, perception towards it, level of knowledge of the causes of it in the community and among street children, level of knowledge of negative impacts of it, level of knowledge of the preventive methods; and level of knowledge of the support services and treatments needed by victims. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from thirty five participants (i.e. one driver and six casual apprentices from each of the five car parks) were interviewed. The data was presented and analyzed using tables and percentage. The findings revealed among other things, that there is high level of awareness of drug abuse but the feelings towards it are mixed. Like other children, street children are abusing drugs mainly due to peer influence with the ultimate objective of getting high to relief stress, group recognition, desire to be trusted by peers, etc. Similarly, participants are highly aware of the negative impacts encompassing fighting, stealing, mental illness, etc. To finance the behavior, victims are engaged in all types of dangerous antisocial behavior including romantic ones exposing them to a range of diseases including STIs and HIV/AIDS. Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug. Though in the minority, some have started experimenting cocaine/coke, hashish; and heroin. While participants have good knowledge of the critical methods to fight drug abuse, the support services needed by victims, victims are mostly reluctant to seek the services not only because they are hard to find but fear societal stigmatization, exclusion and discrimination and professionals’ maltreatments.
Jul 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4518.jsdr-16-1413
Harada TetsuoCorresponding author
Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University
Purpose: An intervention program was performed to improve meal habit, sleep habit and academic marks at school. This program was called “Super Meal Educational Program” which was supported by Japanese Ministry of Arts, Sports, Sciences and Education. Effects of the intervention were evaluated by comparing an integrated questionnaire study held both before and after the intervention of a half year. Method: The intervention program consisted of a lecture on sleep health and diurnal rhythms on children by an university professor, a series of lectures and practical classes by elementary school teachers on foods which can be collected nearby, and also practical courses as excursions to learn traditional meals and several foods resources which are products nearby. Integrated questionnaire study and also government official academic achievement test were performed before and after the intervention for 6 months in May to November, 2015. An integrated questionnaire was administrated to elementary school students of grades 1 to 6 (7-12 years old). For the younger students aged 6-9 years old, parents (mostly mothers) answered the questionnaire instead of their children. The participants consisted of 40 to 55 students in each grade from the first to the six one of the elementary school. The rate of answer to the questionnaire was more than 95% and the number of data used for statistic analysis was 295 before and 286 after the intervention. The integrated questionnaire included questions on the diurnal type scale (DTS), sleep habits, meal habits, and other questions on their environments and life-habits. Result: In the histogram on distribution of the diurnal type scale scores (DTS) before intervention, the students which occupied 25% evening-typed significantly shifted to more morning-typed ones after the intervention (p<0.001). There was significantly negative correlation between DTS scores before intervention and the amount of increased change in DTS during the intervention period (r=-390, r<0.001). For all students in the elementary school, there were no significant changes in sleep quality, bedtime in weekdays, wake up time and sleep hours before and after the intervention period. There was negative correlation between sleep hours in weekday before intervention and increased amount in sleep hours before and after that (r=-0.545, p<0.001). The longer the sleep hours were shifted longer during intervention, the better the academic achievement mark of mathematics was after the intervention (students in the second, third and fifth grades: p=0.001). Conclusion: At least for the students who had been originally evening-typed, the intervention on meal habits may be effective for longer sleep hours and improved school achievement and marking for especially mathematics in elementary schools.
Jun 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-17-1540
Mwanakasale VictorCorresponding author
Copperbelt University, School of Medicine, Ndola, Zambia.
Introduction Schistosoma haematobium infection is acquired early in life with the peak prevalence and intensity of infection occurring in the second decade of life in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to establish any association between S. haematobium infection and development of inguinal hernia in school age children in a S. haematobium highly endemic area in Zambia. Methodology An analytical study was conducted at St Paul’s Mission Hospital, Nchelenge, Luapula province, Zambia. Hospital operating theatre records were reviewed for inguinal hernia repair operations in school age children. Results There were 45 inguinal hernia repair operations conducted in male school age children presumed to be infected with S. haematobium between July 2010 and July 2015. The mean age of these children was 9.6 years while the age range was from 6 years to 14 years. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium in school age children in the area ranged from 89.5% to 95.5% during this period. Conclusion Inguinal hernia is a probable complication of S. haematobium infection in school age male children.
Dec 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-16-1338
Consortium TRUECorresponding author
American Heart Association
Although inaccurate, non-reproducible blood pressure values can result from non-standardized assessments, recommended approaches to standardize blood pressure measurement are often not followed in research studies. An expert consensus of national and international health and scientific organizations developed recommended minimum standards for assessing blood pressure in research subjects where: 1) blood pressure or hypertension is a major endpoint, or 2) blood pressure is likely a major mediator of the research outcome. Minimum research standards are presented for training of observers, technical aspects of assessing blood pressure, and equipment for both adults and children. The standards are based on prior recommendations some of which did not conform to current evidence based methods. All new research should require adherence to these minimum standards on the patient populations described above. Readers need to use caution in interpreting studies if the standards are not met in the defined populations.
Oct 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-16-1173
C. Jellesma FrancineCorresponding author
Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam
Many schoolchildren experience somatic complaints such as headaches, abdominal pain and fatigue. The aim of the current research is to test the full model of previously found associations between negative affect and somatic complaints in parents and children. Participants were 199 children (aged 8-13, 47% boys) and their parents (aged 31-61, mostly mothers (87%). Self-reports of children and parents on worry, anxiety, depression and somatic complaints were used and parents’ reactions to children’s emotions wereassessed. The results of the study show that childhood negative affect and parental somatic complaints are positively associated with childhood somatic complaints. In turn, childhood negative affect is related to children’s worrying and to parents’ responses to children’s emotions. The more anxious or depressed children felt, the more they worried. Maladaptive parental responses (such as reprimands and discomfort) to child emotions were positively related to depression. It was also found that parents who experienced more negative affect, reported more somatic complaints and tended to report more maladaptive responses towards their children’s emotions.
Mar 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-8572.joa-15-891
Osterbauer BethCorresponding author
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Background: Despite its expense, labor and intrusiveness, polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Recently, commercially available electronic activity monitors, such as Fitbit, have become widely accepted and can provide an estimate of sleep patterns for screening children with possible OSA. A previous study demonstrated Fitbit to be valid compared to PSG in adults. To date, these devices have not been extensively utilized for research in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Objective: To evaluate the validity of the Fitbit activity monitor compared to PSG in children and adolescents with SDB. Methods: Data was collected from 14 children, ages 3 through 11, who were scheduled for a PSG during the study period. Fitbit was worn concurrently during the night of the PSG. Analyses were performed by comparing total sleep time, number of awakenings, sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) Fitbit parameters with the corresponding parameters measured by PSG using Spearman’s rho. Fitbit movement epochs were also compared to PSG epochs showing movement behavior. Results: Pilot data suggest that Fitbit demonstrates a high sensitivity for sleep, a low specificity for wake and a trend suggesting good association of movement measurements. Conclusion: Although Fitbit is not as accurate as PSG for determining wakefulness, it may be a useful screening device to assess gross sleep quality in children. Further studies are indicated to validate these findings.
Dec 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-8572.joa-15-807
Simoncini DanielaCorresponding author
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria c/o Ospedale Filippo del Ponte, Varese, Italy
Upper and lower airway disease is a common condition. Its prevalence is increasing in different areas of the world, but, at present, non-allergic rhinitis is underestimated. The aim of this study was to investigate FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) and nasal cytology in allergic and non-allergic patients, in order to reach a correct diagnosis. This study was performed on 120 children with rhinitis and/or asthma, evaluated by an allergist and an otolaryngologist. Skin prick-test and nasal cytology were tested in all patients; FeNO only in the asthmatic ones. The proportion of positive results in nasal cytology was higher in non-allergic than in allergic children: 22 out of 23 patients, vs 91 out of 97 patients. A significant correlation was found between FeNO levels and increase in nasal eosinophil counts. There is compelling evidence of a close relationship between upper and lower airway in asthma and rhinitis. The presence of rhinitis should always be investigated in children with asthma; therefore, FeNO and nasal cytology have clinical benefit both in allergic and non-allergic children. Our finding also supports the use of nasal cytology to evaluate non-allergic rhinitis (NAR).
Dec 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-15-818
Arlappa NimmathotaCorresponding author
National Institute of Nutrition (Indian Council of Medical Research), Hyderabad, India.
Purpose: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is still a major nutritional problem of public health importance among the rural pre-school children in India, even after the implementation national vitamin A prophylaxis programme for prevention of nutritional blindness and ICDS have been in operation for more than three decades. The purpose of this communication is to assess the prevalence of ocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency among rural pre-school children of north India. Methods: A community based cross-section study; adopting multi-stage random sampling procedure was carried out by NNMB among rural pre-school children of four north Indian states viz. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. A total of 36,111 rural pre-school children of 1-5years (Boys: 18408; Girls: 17703) were covered for this study. Results: The prevalence of conjunctival xerosis (2.5%), the first ocular sign of VAD and Bitot’s spot (0.9%), an objective ocular sign of VAD was higher than the cut-off values suggestive of public health nutritional problem among the rural children. While, the prevalence of night blindness, the first symptom VAD was reported among 0.5% of rural children. Similarly, the proportion of rural pre-school children with sub-clinical VAD was 64%, suggestive of severe public health importance. Conclusion: The prevalence of ocular manifestation and sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency was high among the rural children of north India. Therefore, rural communities are encouraged to consume diets rich in vitamin A and administer massive dose vitamin A solution to the children of under five for the prevention and control of vitamin A deficiency and its adverse impact on child morbidity and mortality.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-14-584
W. Hey DavidCorresponding author
STRIDE California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
During the past three decades the prevalence of childhood obesity has steadily increased in the United States. Causes of childhood obesity are complex and include numerous individual and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to determine parent perceptions on the social-ecological barriers (community, school, and family) to physical activity and healthy eating, perceived specific to their children. Self-reported data gathered from a 50-item questionnaire and six focus groups were conducted with parents (n=43) enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Participants (16 to 67 years old) were predominately female (88.4%), Hispanic (67%), low income, and living in or near Lompoc in Santa Barbara County, CA. The social-ecological model (family, school, and community) was utilized to create focus group questions and provide recommendations as part of the Lompoc Community Health Improvement Project (2006-to-the-present). Popular community barriers for physical activity were: disconnected sidewalks, lack of safe bike routes to school, lack of recreational programming at an affordable cost, and language barriers (lack of marketing physical activity programs in Spanish). Two safety barriers involved parks; fear of injury (dilapidated equipment) and fear of gangs (violence). Common school barriers were: teachers do not lead-by-example, lack of healthy food in school cafeteria, and insufficient time for children to purchase food and eat. Family barriers included: grandparents sabotaging healthy eating environments (e.g., spoiling children), insufficient nutrition knowledge (both children and parents), and economics (not being able to afford healthy food and a recreation/gym membership).
Jan 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-14-534
St-Onge Marie-PierreCorresponding author
New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY 10025
Objective: Skipping breakfast has been associated with an increased risk of obesity. This randomized controlled pilot study tested whether emphasizing breakfast consumption, in conjunction with nutrition counseling, would improve weight status and dietary quality in children. Design and Methods: Twenty children were recruited and randomized to a breakfast (BF, n=11) or control (n=9) intervention. Both groups received weekly group nutrition counseling for 12 wk but breakfast consumption was emphasized, and ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal provided, to BF only. Anthropometric measurements were taken weekly. Three-day food records were taken at baseline and endpoint. Results: Weight status did not change significantly, however, children in BF displayed an overall decrease in BMI (-1.0±5.1%) whereas children in the control group had an overall increase (1.1±7.2%) from baseline (P=0.52). Three-day food records (BF, n=6; control, n=5) revealed group x time interactions on total sugars (P=0.007), folate (P=0.05), vitamin B12 (P=0.03), sodium (P=0.05), niacin (P=0.009), and vitamin B6 (P=0.023). Except for sodium, BF had improvements in these nutrients relative to the control group. Conclusions: Preliminary data from this study show that the provision of RTE cereal with weekly nutrition counseling may positively affect intake of essential nutrients. The effects of breakfast consumption on weight status are still uncertain.
Sep 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-14-499
L. Edwards ChristopherCorresponding author
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medical Psychology, Duke University Medical Center.
Medical advances in obstetrics and hematology have encouraged researchers to investigate the reproductive risk in women with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) attempting motherhood. However, few hematological studies have been completed focused specifically on the reproductive mental health of Black women with SCD. Historically women with SCD have been guided away from childbirth under the premise that they were not emotionally or physically capable of managing children. One question that remains unclear, from the limited research available in this area, is whether the presence of children serves to influence mood and pain in Black women with SCD. The current study examined the effects of the presence of children on self-reported pain and depressive symptoms and the relationship between pain and psychological functioning in African American women with SCD. Self-reported rates of depression, pain intensity, and pain severity were evaluated in 70 African American females with SCD. Results of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) did not find differences in reported mood or pain between women with and without children. The current study serves as an initial observation upon which replication of the current findings and future prospective studies can be conducted. The study may ultimately mature into an area of research that guides reproductive decision-making for women with SCD and their doctors.
Jun 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-13-239
Lehmann CorinneCorresponding author
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
As advances in treatment and prevention are starting to decrease the magnitude of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of orphans and children surviving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is growing. To date, little research has been conducted in the care of HIV-infected children in orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this qualitative study, managing personnel in 10 programs caring for HIV-infected children were interviewed to ascertain perceived barriers to care of these children. While all programs commented on medical infrastructure barriers, respondents felt sociocultural issues were more pressing. After analysis of transcribed interviews, three major themes of poverty, denial/stigma, and cultural differences with outsiders emerged. These findings have implications for international programs that both serve and seek to serve the needs of HIV-infected children and orphans in Africa. Outside funding organizations will need to address local poverty, stigma, and African “ownership” of HIV-positive orphans to ultimately ensure the best care of these vulnerable children.
Jun 2013 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-12-74
Madiba SphiweCorresponding author
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, South Africa
HIV infected children who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) in public health facilities in South Africa have survived to older age and disclosure has become an essential part of their care. Available data on HIV disclosure to children were collected much earlier in the provision of ART in South Africa. The aim of the study was to (a) determine the characteristics of caregivers of pediatric HIV patients in Gauteng, South Africa, (b) estimate the prevalence and timing of HIV disclosure among these patients, and (c) assess the factors associated with disclosure status. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 caregivers of paediatric ART children aged 4–17 in two centres in Gauteng, South Africa. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out. The highest proportion of care givers were biological mothers (n=140, 49.3%). The mean age of the children was 8.5 years, (range 4-17 years). More than a third (n=99, 34%) were disclosed their HIV status, and the mean age at disclosure was 9.3 years, (SD = 2.7). Child’s age older than 10 years (OR =1.63; 95% CI: 1.44–1.85), having a nonbiological caregiver (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.06-2.89), caregiver educational level (OR =0.64; 95% CI: 0.47–0.87), and caregiver’s age older than 60 years (OR=1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.04), were significantly associated with HIV disclosure to infected children. The relatively higher prevalence of disclosure is attributed to increasing access to paediatric ART. Training healthcare providers to support caregivers in disclosure will increase the rate of disclosure to HIV infected children receiving ART in public health facilities.