International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

Number 8/2, 2019

43-49
Early Childhood Nutrition Knowledge of Caregivers in Tanzania

Authors: Victor B.A. Moxley, Maggie F. Graul, Nathan Stoneking, Cecily Hale, Scott Torres, Mary Linehan, Kerry Ann Dobies, Generose Mulokozi, Taylor H. Hoj, Benjamin T. Crookston, P. Cougar Hall, Joshua H. West

Abstract

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Childhood stunting is a pressing health issue in Tanzania and results from chronic infections and inadequate nutrition. Educating caregivers on the nutritional determinants, their consequences, and appropriate solutions may improve nutrition-related practices among caregivers in Tanzania. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with Tanzanian caregivers’ knowledge of childhood nutrition practices. Data for this study came from a cross-sectional survey of 4,095 caregivers of children under 24 months living in the Geita, Kagera, Kigoma, Mwanza, and Shinyanga regions of Tanzania. Complete responses relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, media exposure, and early childhood nutrition knowledge were analyzed using multiple linear regression modeling techniques. Caregivers’ knowledge concerning proper early childhood nutrition practices was found to be significantly related to using a mobile banking account (p<.0001), owning a working radio with batteries (p<.0001), having watched television recently (p<.0001), residing in a southern lake region (p<.0001), affiliating with a Christian faith (p=0.0027), having more children under the age of 5 (p=0.0005), having received advice on maternal nutrition before pregnancy (p<.0001) and having received advice from a community health worker (p=0.0184). Living in a rural environment (p<.0001) and speaking a non-mainstream language (p<0.05) were significantly associated with decreased knowledge. The influences of media and technology, socio-demographic factors and traditional health education may be important in the development of accurate childhood nutrition knowledge among caregivers. These factors may be targeted for future community health worker efforts with vulnerable populations in Tanzania to prevent stunting.

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Prognostic Value of Serum Fibrinogen Level in Determining the Severity of Appendicitis Inflammation in Adult and Pediatric Patients Undergoing Appendectomy in Two Local Centres in Tehran

Authors: Fariba Jahangiri, Seyyed Javad Nasiri, Alireza Negahi, Bahman Nouhifard, Behnood Farazmand, Mostafa Hoseini

Abstract

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Background:Despite the recent advancements, negative appendectomy cases are notable, especially in children. We evaluated the prognostic value of serum fibrinogen level for the prediction of the severity of acute appendicitis.Methods:A cross-sectional study of children and adults who had undergone appendectomy at Ali Asghar and Rasool-e Akram hospitals, Iran, was performed. Before surgery, serum fibrinogen level was assessed by using the Clauss technique. Finally, serum fibrinogen was compared between the two groups of complicated acute appendicitis and uncomplicated ones. Results:In the adult's complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis, no significant differences were noted in gender distribution, WBC count, and segment levels. Serum fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels in children with complicated appendicitis were significantly higher than those in the uncomplicated ones. Serum fibrinogen level of 450 mg/dl was the optimum cut-off for predicting the severity of appendicitis in children. Serum fibrinogen level in adults with the complicated appendicitis was significantly higher than the uncomplicated appendicitis group. Also, 530 mg/dl was found the best serum fibrinogen cut-off to predict the severity of appendicitis in adults. Conclusion:Serum fibrinogen level is an appropriate diagnostic marker for the distinction of acute complicated appendicitis from uncomplicated appendicitis in children and adults.

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The Comparison of the Emotional States of the Cancer Children to their Healthy Peers

Authors: Lugen Ceren Kiyan, Ender Durualp

Abstract

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This study aimed to compare the emotional status of children with cancer between the ages of five and twelve with their healthy peers. The study groups of the research consist of children with cancer disease between the ages of five and twelve which have inpatient treatment at pediatric oncology service and healthy peers of the same age and gender. Totally 70 children, with 35 cancer who took inpatient treatment and two or more chemotherapy treatments between the dates September-November 2017, and also whose families accepted to participate in the research and 35 healthy children who live at the centre of Ankara, and were chosen with easy sampling method were included to the research. When collecting the data, “General Information Form” was used to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their families and the pictures drawn by the children were used to determine the emotional situations of the children. Pictures were evaluated according to the expert opinions using Koppitz’s “Draw a Man” evaluation test. The Chi-Square test was used to evaluate the data. The coherence between the experts was determined by the Cronbach Alpha value which was found 0.83. According to findings of the research, it was concluded that the impulsiveness, self-insecurity, anxiety, and anger-aggressiveness (p>0.05); shyness-timidity (p<0.05) of children with cancer was significantly higher than their healthy peers.

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The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Protein Energy Malnutrition among under Five Year Children in Pediatric OPDs of Public Health Institution in Yirgalem Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2017

Authors: Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne, Iyasu Estiphanos Berisha

Abstract

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Introduction: Protein energy malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five in developing countries. Ethiopia being one of these countries malnutrition is an important public health problem and among the highest in the world Objectives: The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of protein energy malnutrition among under-five children in pediatric OPDs of public health institutions at Yirgalem town, Dale woreda, Sidama zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia from September 18-26, 2017.Methodology:Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted in pediatric OPDs of public health institutions inYirgalem town, on a total of 204 children age less than five years from September 18-26, 2017. Study subjects were selected by using quota sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used to collect data. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0statistical software. Result:This study indicated that the prevalence of stunting wasting and Under-weight was 41.2%, 1.7% and 25% respectively. Factors showed statistically significant association in multivariate analysis were family planning use by mother, children eat together with older siblings and exclusive breast feeding with P-value (0.02), (0.036) and (0.002) respectively.Conclusion:This study reviled that the prevalence of stunting, wasting and under-weight were higher among under-five children participated in this study. Thus children are at a higher risk of under nutrition related morbidity and mortality. Further progress in under nutrition prevention can be achieved by specifically targeting children at their early age and conducting tailored public education to improve the nutritional status of the study subjects