International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

Key words: Alcohol consumption, gender, Zambia.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Introduction of complementary foods to infants as self-reported by urban and rural low-income mothers in Guatemala

María José Soto-Méndez, Raquel Campos, Liza Hernández, Marieke Vossenaar* and Noel W. Solomons

Center for Studies of Sensory Impairment, Aging and Metabolism (CeSSIAM), Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Accepted 17 March, 2019

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life with the introduction of adequate complementary foods thereafter. The association between the early introduction of complementary foods and negative health outcomes may be underestimated by inconsistencies in reported age-of-introduction of complementary foods. We aimed to determine the reproducibility of reported age-of-introduction of 10 selected complementary foods. Mothers of 6-12 mo old Guatemalan infants (50 rural, 64 urban) were interviewed on 3 occasions within an interval of 2-14 wks, and asked the age of their infant on introduction of 10 commonly consumed foods (INCAPARINA®, oatmeal, rice, fruits, vegetables, white rolls, sweet rolls, baby food in jars, potatoes and coffee). A score of 3 (full repetition), 2 (2 of 3 consistent) or 0 (3 distinct answers) was given for each food, and summed across all foods for a “maternal score”, with 30 as maximal. Baby food, sweet rolls and coffee were the most reproducibly-reported foods for both settings, whilst vegetables and fruits were the least consistently reported items. The median maternal score was 20.0 in the urban sample, and higher at 23.0 in the rural sample (p=0.020). We conclude that the moderately high degree of consistency in the responses adds confidence to the proposition that published data on age of complementary foods introduction could generally be valid.

Key words: Reproducibility, complementary foods, self-reported, infant nutrition, Guatemala.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Stroke in Nigerian Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia

I. O. George* and A. I. Frank-Briggs

Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 March, 2019

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of physical disability worldwide. Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most common cause of stroke in children. The aim is to determine the prevalence of stroke in children with SCA at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Retrospective studies of patients with SCA (6 months to 16years) with stroke, over a 5 year period were carried out. Data was extracted from the medical records of patients. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. A total of 256 medical records of children with SCA were reviewed. Of these, 11 patients had stroke (4.3%). Seven (63.6%) were below 10 years. The main clinical manifestations were seizure, 6 patients (54.5%) and hemiplegia 5 patients (45.5%). Recurrent stroke occurred in 2 patients (18.2%). Computed tomography scan reports of the brain were not available in 3 patients which confirmed ischaemic stroke. Stable-state haematocrit was below 20% in 72.7% of patients. One death was documented. The prevalence of stroke in children with SCA is 4.3% and children under the age of 10 years with low haematocrit values are at greater risk of developing stroke.

Key words: Stroke, sickle cell anaemia, children, Nigeria.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Fayoum (Upper Egypt) preparatory school students’ and teachers’ attitude towards obesity as health risk

Douaa El Derwi¹, Naglaa El Sherbiny²* and Adham Hazem Atta³

¹Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

²Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt.

³Resident of surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

Accepted 12 March, 2019

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a serious non-communicable public health problem with negative physical, social, and mental health consequences. Factors contributing to childhood obesity are school nutrition, excessive snacks, fast food, lack of physical activity and family behavior. The objective of this study is to explore Fayoum preparatory of school students’ and teacher’s attitude concerning obesity and healthy nutritional behavior and investigating readiness of teachers to attain an active role in student’s nutritional education. This was a cross sectional descriptive study implemented in three preparatory schools of Fayoum district. Multistage stratified sample of 990 students, attending first, second and third grades. In each school, two classes were randomly selected from each grade, students interviewed for filling a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken. Teaching staff at the schools (48) shared in four focus group discussions. More girls were reported in the overweight and obese category. Almost half of the students knew the proper food for their age. 62.1% of them consumed meals in front of the TV and 44.9% ate fast foods. The majority of both students and teachers agreed that physical activity and diet controls were the main control measures of obesity. 70.8% of teachers agreed that they should have an active role in obesity prevention. It was clear that Fayoum students had some nutritional knowledge but there was a defect in practice. Effective communication and collaboration among school and home offers the possibility of improving the quality of life and reducing the health care costs.

Key words: Childhood obesity, nutritional behavioral, teachers role.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among female nurses in a teaching hospital in North-Eastern state of Malaysia

Mohd Nazri Shafei¹*, Ahmad Faris Awang² and Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohamad¹

¹Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kelantan, Malaysia.

²Kudat Area Health Office, Locked Bag No. 6, 89059 Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia.

Accepted 18 February, 2019

Abstract

Nurses who are mostly shift workers were found to be at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was designed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among female nurses working in a teaching hospital. A cross sectional study was conducted among 404 female nurses working in a teaching hospital in North-Eastern state of Malaysia. Data were collected using a proforma on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, physical activity and depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS) 42 questionnaire (validated Malay version). Anthropometric, blood pressure measurement and fasting venous blood for fasting lipid profile and blood sugar were taken from each respondent. Majority of the respondents were Malay nurses with the mean age of 42.1 (SD 7.19) years old. Out of 404 respondents, 56.2% of them do shift work. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 24.3% (95% CI: 20.1, 28.4). The significant factors associated with metabolic syndrome were total duration of employment (years) and one way commuting time to work (minutes). There was a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among nurses working in a teaching hospital in North-eastern state of Malaysia. Occupational factors such as total duration of employment and one way commuting time to work are associated with metabolic syndrome.

Key words: Prevalence, metabolic syndrome, nurses, shift work, self-perceived stress.