International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

Number 10/4, 2021

130-147
A Path Analysis to Identify Factors Influencing the Provision of Water in Addition to Breast Milk by Mothers of Infants under Six Months of Age in Conakry and Kindia Regions, Republic of Guinea

Authors: Nèmanan R. Ninamou, Jérémie B. Dupuis, Noël-Marie Zagré, Mamady Daffé, Sonia Blaney

Abstract

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Number of views: 85

Water provision to infants under six months of age (IU6M) can hamper exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Understanding factors and their relationships influencing this practice is needed to tailor EBF promotion programs. Using a validated questionnaire, this study aims to identify pathways in which individual factors and the environment interact to affect the provision of water in addition to breast milk among 300 mothers of IU6M. Our finding shows that 75% of mothers intended to provide water in addition to breast milk to their IU6M and that about 60% reported doing it. Results of the final path show that the subjective norm/SN (β = 0.432, p < 0.001), the attitude (β= 0.349, p < 0.001), and to a lesser extent the perceived control/PC (β = 0.141, p = 0.005) predict the intention of mothers to provide water in addition to breast milk to their IU6M. The environment scores predict the attitude (β = 0.210, p = 0.001) and the SN (β = 0.284, p< 0.001). Having the mother practicing early breastfeeding initiation at birth positively predicted the PC score (β = 0.157, p = 0.017) and predicted an increasing score of SN (β = 0.221, p = 0.003). Even though predicting the final behavior is complex, this research provides directions to nutrition education programs to tailor their content to the context and be more efficient in reducing the proportion of women providing water to their IU6M, hence contributing to the improvement of EBF.

148-153
The Perils of the Pandemic and India's Child Victims of Covid-19

Authors: Suparba Sil, Ruby Dhar, Subhradip Karmakar

Abstract

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Number of views: 95

Aim: The following paper attempts to trace the impact of Covid-19 on the younger generation, mostly from economically underprivileged sections, by focusing on specific themes such as health, education, vulnerability to abuse, and violence. The paper tries to address how the pandemic has affected various dimensions of the lives of these younger generation-children and adolescents, alongside tracing the measures taken by the government in the fight against the virus. Methods: We curated the information based on credible data as published in leading news media, PMC published peerreviewed materials Conclusions: The paper concludes with recommendations that a coherent government policy and the active participation of NGOs are needed to address the problem. The children's mental health needs to be dealt with utmost care at home, which will pave the way towards a better future for the younger generation during and after the pandemic.

154-161
Impact of Dietary Diversification on the Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index in School-Age Children in the Nawa Region (Côte d’Ivoire)

Authors: Allico Mousso Jean Maurel, Agbo Adouko Edith, Séri Kipré Laurent, Boyvin Lydie, Kouamé Christophe, Yapi Houphouët Félix, Djaman Allico Joseph

Abstract

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Number of views: 90

The objective of this work was to study the impact of food diversification based on sweet potato, soybean, and cowpea on the prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) in school-aged children in the Nawa region. This study took place from October 2017 to May 2018 among 240 pupils aged 6 to 12, divided into four groups of 60. Four types of meals were proposed: rice with tomato soup and fish (group 1), sweet potato porridge enriched with green soybeans (group 2), sweet potato porridge enriched with white cowpea (group 3), or sweet potato porridge accompanied by white cowpea with green soybeans (group 4). There were three blood samples: before eating meals (phase 0), the end of the first trimester (phase 1), and the end of the second trimester (phase 2). Blood assay for C-reactive protein (CRP), orosomucoid, albumin, and prealbumin was performed using COBAS c311 analyzer. PINI was calculated. Groups 3 and 4 showed a slight increase in albumin values (42.24 ± 0.95 g/L and 41.51 ± 1.71 g/L, respectively) compared to group 1. CRP decreased from phase 1 for group 1 (2.06 ± 0.26 mg/L) and group 4 (2.38 ± 0.36 mg/L). Orosomucoid increased insignificantly (p > 0.05) in group 3 (0.74 ± 0.04 g/L) and group 4 (0.71 ± 0.04 g/L). PINI was reduced by 0.37 (group 1), 0.36 (group 2), 0.46 (group 3) and 0.44 (group 4). Food diversification based on sweet potato and white cowpea has a positive impact on PINI in more than 80% of pupils

162-170
Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in a Local Government Area of Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria

Authors: Adenike A.O. Olaniyi, S.O. Jimoh

Abstract

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Number of views: 90

Alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood remain a prominent public health problem. This study identifies factors associated with alcohol consumption among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Southwest, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. One hundred and seventysix (176) respondents were consecutively selected using the random technique. Data were analyzed using chi-square and hypotheses tested at a 5% level of significance. Findings revealed that the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge of alcohol consumption, while (36.4%) of the respondents had consumed alcoholic beverages. Over half (54.5%) engaged in drinking alcohol as a result of peer influence. The majority (70%) of them had good knowledge of factors influencing alcohol consumption and factors influencing consumption among the respondents. Thus, the rate of alcohol consumption among adolescents was low (36.4%) as a larger percentage (64.6%) of them did not consume alcohol owing to their knowledge of the effect and the presence of some protective factors within the environment. In conclusion, alcohol consumption among adolescents was low, knowledge of its consumption was high, and it was associated with its actual consumption. Alcohol use is also associated with peer influence and environmental variables, while age and gender did not have any relationship with alcohol consumption. Therefore, educational intervention to improve knowledge of the consequences of alcohol consumption among adolescents and public policies with preventive educational campaigns was recommended.