ijchn
|
|
Abstract: Malnutrition occurs in various forms in the world, especially in African countries. It affects two-thirds of the children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), micronutrient deficiencies also affect many children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status, serum iron and serum calcium among under-five children. This study was conducted on a cohort from 480 children in six municipalities of Abidjan: Abobo, Cocody, Koumassi, Marcory, Treichville and Yopougon. A blood sample and anthropometric measurements (weight, height) were performed to determine the hematological profile and nutritional status of children. The results showed that stunting was the most widespread form of malnutrition among children surveyed. Depending on age, children from 0 to 6 months have a low prevalence of PEM than those from 7 to 59 months: wasting (1.2% vs 3.5%), stunting (8.6% vs 25.2%) and underweight (3.4% vs 10.7%). Also, the results reveal a lowest serum iron (µmol/l) among children from low households income (9.77 ± 2.4), illiterate mothers (8.92 ± 1.3) compared to those from mothers with a high level of education (21.75 ± 4.1) and high living standard (21.28 ± 2.1). There was no notable difference (p>0.05) between serum calcium whatever socio-demographic parameters considered. The parameters under study such as nutritional status, serum calcium and serum iron have shown a variation of malnutrition in Abidjan. Keywords: Malnutrition status, prevalence, wasting, stunting, underweight, serum iron and calcium. |
|
|
Abstract: This paper clarifies the meaning of Perinatal Clinical Psychology by removing the prejudice and the stereotypes that unfortunately pervade children health care facilities still nowadays. The author goes over the basic principles that neuroscience has recently demonstrated in the development of the brain from the fetus to the infant, the child and the adult. The brain is self-generating through experience and not on the basis of genome. Epygenetics accounts for it. The brain needs to learn so as to be able to develop. Nobody has a brain that is the same as anybody else’s and therefore nobody has a mind that is the same as anybody else’s. The brain generates the mind and, in turn, the mind regenerates the brain in a ceaseless feedback. The experience that generates and renews the brain continuously comes from interpersonal relationships. The greatest incidence of this kind of development comes from the relationships with the parents and the caregivers and depends on the emotional moment of the relationship. This opens up transgenerational perspectives. The quality of the mind (and the brain) of the parents and caregivers produces the quality of the mind of the children. The latter, in turn, become adults, condition the mind of their children in cascade effect from one generation to the following. This transmission can produce an improvement but also a worsening for the future generations. As a consequence, Perinatal Clinical Psychology becomes important for prevention and psychological support to the children and the families at risk. Keywords: Perinatal mind, parents mind, brain’s learning, Children at risk, transgenerationality. |
|
|
Abstract: Background: Mothers’ attitudes are strong predicators of choice of infant feeding method. This study was conducted to measure attitudes towards breastfeeding among Saudi mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during April 2013 among Saudi nursing mothers in Taif Region; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data was collected by trained pharmacy female students through face-to-face interview method using structured questionnaire. Mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding were assessed by The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Results: A total of 387 mothers were included of them 204 (52.7%) aged < 32 years and 334 (86.3%) were residents in the town. University or college graduates were 262 (67.7%). Overall 181 (46.8%) of the mothers had positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, while 206 (53.2%) held negative ones. Correlating mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding to their demographics showed that; out of the mothers aged < 32 years 118 (57.8%) had significantly more positive attitudes than older ones (aged > 32 years) 63 (34.4%), (P < 0.001). Cross tabulation of the method of infant feeding and mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding showed that mothers used formula feeding or mixed feeding method 120 (49.0%) had significantly positive attitudes towards breastfeeding more than breastfeeding ones 61(43.0%), (P =0.025). Conclusion: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Positive attitudes towards breastfeeding was found to be more among mothers used formula or mixed feeding method. Educational interventions are needed to raise awareness and upgrade mothers’ knowledge on infant breastfeeding. Keywords: Mothers, Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale, Breastfeeding, Knowledge, Saudi.Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: The present study considered three samples of mothers from Brazil, South Korea, and the United States to determine whether mothers demonstrate a consistent pattern of feeding practices associated with child overweight. Participants included 1204 mothers of children 6-10 years old. Mothers completed questionnaires to report their children's demographics and their feeding practices with the Parent Mealtime Action Scale (PMAS). The South Korean children showed significantly less obesity (10.4%) than children from Brazil (17.0%) or the United States (19.6%). Confirmatory factor analysis for mothers from all three samples revealed good fit for the same nine PMAS dimensions of feeding practice. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that after taking into account child age and gender, heavier child weight was found associated with more Fat Reduction and less Insistence on Eating by mothers from all three samples. Results from past experimental research suggest that these two maternal feeding practices would be counter-productive for teaching children's self-regulation of diet and weight management. Alternative maternal feeding practices are suggested. Keywords: Childhood obesity, parent-child relations, feeding practices, obesity prevention, weight management.Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: Background: Premature infants are at increased risk of developing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which for these children is associated with a number of severe symptoms. There is great need for effective instruments and clear symptom criteria to assess the presence and degree of severity of GERD. Aim: To develop and pilot test an observation instrument for early detection of symptoms of GERD in premature infants. Method: A combination of three research methods was used – systematic literature review, observation instrument development and a pilot test. Results: The systematic review identified specific symptoms of GERD. The development of the observational instrument started with the establishment of concordance between the criteria of symptoms according to the literature review and to NIDCAP, “Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program”. In the pilot test the criteria of symptoms were revised by comparing the result and the criteria between infants that clinically were estimated to have had a reflux problem and the ones who did not. Conclusion: An observation instrument was developed. The clinical evaluation by a pilot test showed that the instrument could be useful to record significant symptoms and combinations of symptoms that may occur in premature infants assessed as having reflux problems. Keywords: Premature infants, GERD symptoms, and observation instruments.Download Full Article |