International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

85-98

Authors: Enrica Riva, Elvira Verduci, Giuseppe Banderali, Maria Elena Capra, Marcello Giovannini

If breast milk is not available infant formula ensures a balanced intake of nutrients and is undoubtedly more suitable for infants than cows’ milk. In particular, it should point out the absolute necessity to postpone to the end of the first year of life, or even after the 2 nd year, the use of cow's milk for the extreme imbalance of nutrients that lead to high-protein diets and low levels of polyunsaturated fats, iron and zinc. As a consequence, in the absence of breast milk, the use of an appropriately adapted formula in the first year of life and the use of “toddler milk” from 12 to 36 months may represent adequate nutritional alternatives, especially when compare to the use of cow milk, and in particular may appear to play a fundamental role in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Different varieties of toddler milk are currently available in Italy. This review outlines the nutritional differences between breast, toddler and cows’ milks, and compares different brands of toddler milk.

105-112

Authors: Suzumi Yasutake, Huan He, Michele R. Decker, Freya L. Sonenstein, Nan M. Astone

Objective:Anemia is a global public health problem that affects maternal and infant mortality as well as human capital development. Yet there is not much research on anemia among young women in low-and-middle-income countries with nationally representative samples. The aim of the current research is to assess the extent of anemia in a critical age group: adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24. Methods:The data are from 34 Demographic and Health Surveys and are used to describe the prevalence of anemia among pregnant and non-pregnant women by age, rural/urban residence, and household wealth. Anemia was assessed using the HemoCue® blood hemoglobin testing system. Findings:The prevalence of anemia among young women ranges from 15% to over 50%. This is substantially higher than 5%, which is the cutoff to identify a population where anemia is a public health problem. African countries show the highest prevalence of anemia; Benin, Ghana and Mali have over 60% anemia prevalence. Moreover, the prevalence of moderate to severe anemia is particularly high in African countries, over 20% in Ghana and Guinea. Our results show that anemia is a public health concern for adolescents and young adult females in all 34 countries we analyzed. Conclusion:The high prevalence of anemia among youth is alarming. Considering the importance of the adolescent and young adult years, when human capital development is consolidated and family formation begins, these findings call for interventions to redress the problem of anemia

123-130

Authors: Ramjee Bhandari, Mandira Adhikari, Vishnu Khanal

The use of Child Health Card (CHC) has been found effective to assess overall health status of children worldwide. The tool is simple, cost-effective and easy to use yet standard enough to interpret. Nepal recently made contextual modifications in 2006 and has incorporated it into the Health Management Information System. The card is issued to all children during their first visit for immunization. In Nepal, CHC is considered a valid and authentic report for immunization but little has been studied about its holding. The objective of our study was to find its retention rate along with the factors associated. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 village development committees of Kapilvastu district between November 15 and December 15, 2010. A total of 190 households were selected using lot quality assurance sampling technique. Higher retention rate (88.9%) of CHC was found while status of complete immunization was significantly associated with its retention [adjusted OR: 41.92, (95%CI; 2.66-658), p=0.008] after adjusting for growth monitoring, ethnicity, place of delivery, antenatal visit, breastfeeding and mother’s age. This study can guide the health system and the family members the measures to sustain higher coverage and retention of CHC which can further guide to the best possible health outcomes for the child.

143-152

Authors: Anjna Nema, K.K.N. Sharma

Death due to complication related to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality of women in the reproductive ages in developing countries. Health status of Madhya Pradesh in India shows IMR/1000 live births is 90 and < 5 mortality / 1000 is 137.6. [1] India is among "Slow progressing nation” in child and maternal care. Madhy a Pradesh is one of the states where maternal mortality rates are as high as 700 or more [2]. Antenatal and postnatal care awareness among youth can certainly reduce the mortality and morbidity rate, as they are future mothers. Objective:The study has been undertaken to find the knowledge and awareness among 250 college girls of other backward class, Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh regarding antenatal and postnatal health care. Study Area: India is the seventh biggest country of the world. It has 2.4 percent land area and 16.7 percent population of the whole world. Madhya Pradesh is one of the major state of India located in the central part of India therefore it is named so. It has 6, 03, 85,118 total population out of which 2, 89, 28,245 are female. Jabalpur city is the heart of India, and a Division of Madhya Pradesh The population of Jabalpur is 2,167,469. Sample: 250 randomly selected other backward class category college girls of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, India are the sample for the present study. Other backward class (OBCS) is one of socially disadvantaged groups. Method: For recording information regarding knowledge & perception towards maternal health care, a detailed structured but simple questionnaire was distributed among 250 randomly selected unmarriedcollege girls of other backward class of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, India. Sample colleges were selected by stratified random sampling method. The study was conducted in various colleges in Jabalpur. Results: It is found that all 100 percent girls are aware that pregnant women need special care. 60.8 percent girls consider pregnancy as a general physiological process, 74.8 percent accepted that during pregnancy normal daily routine work should be done. 89.6 percent girls have a view for monthly consultation to Doctor during pregnancy. 66.4 percent knew tetanus toxoide injection is necessary in pregnancy.70.4 percent girls have knowledge that folic acid tablets are given to prevent anemia.96 percent girls accepted that in pregnancy extra nutrient should be given. 56.6 percent girls mentioned all the nutrients should be given in extra amount during pregnancy period.15.8 percent girls consider protein 12.0 percent girls iron, 12.0 percent girls calcium and 3.3 percent girls consider Vitamin A should be given in extra amount. 24 percent girls knew that weight of normal neonate is 3 kg. All the girls accepted that mother’s milk should be first feed of new born babies. Only 51.2 percent girls have knowledge regarding colostrums. 28.8 percent girls are aware that 6 months is correct age for infant to introduce semisolid food.17.6 percent girls knew 4 months is correct age for supplementary food. 91.2 percent girls correctly mentioned salt-sugar solution could be given for treatment of diarrhea at home. 97.6 percent students are having knowledge of oral rehydration solution. Conclusion: It has been noticed that girls are quite aware of antenatal and postnatal care. It is suggested regarding important aspects, which are lacking like, colustrum or nutritional requirement of a mother, students should be informed by interpersonal communication. Parents should also pass their knowledge acquired by them through the experience of life realizing that maternal health is a major instrument of social and economic development and plays an important role in the creation of a new world through safe motherhood

172-177

Authors: Marjorie R. Freedman, Sally J. Gogol

Objective:To examine whether training on Division of Responsibility, provided to members of a childhood feeding collaborative, increased familiarity, knowledge, and confidence in disseminating information to parents of young children. Methods: Training was provided to 47 public health nurses and 22 breastfeeding task force members. A within-group pretest, posttest, follow-up design assessed changes in familiarity, knowledge and confidence.Results:Amongst public health nurses, training resulted in a significant increase in familiarity (P < .001); knowledge that restricting amount of food provided to overweight infants and/or children is inappropriate (P < .05); and that children need frequent exposure to new foods (P < .05). Confidence in disseminating information also significantly increased (P < .001). Conclusions and Implications:Health care providers who counsel parents about childhood feeding practices should be trained to increase familiarity with, knowledge of, and confidence in disseminating best practice feeding guidelines to help ensure provision of consistent, accurate messaging