Adolescent Mothers' Subjective Well-Being and Mothering Challenges in a Yoruba Community,Southwest Nigeria

Well-being varies within cultures and context. Studies on the well-being and mothering challenges of adolescents in Nigeria have focused on the general poor well-being of adolescent mothers rather than exploring their agency and subjective well-being within specific context. This study explores adolescent mothers' (13–20 years) subjective well-being by focusing on their childbirth, mothering experiences, and available network of supports. Thirty face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted through the support of four informants and peer referrals. Content analysis was used to identify salient themes and patterns. Findings showed that a high proportion of the adolescent mothers had stigmatizing experiences among which include dropping out of school, and lack of supports from families, friends, and the society. Where available, supports were perceived as inadequate in contributing to their well-being and that of their children. Some of the adolescent mothers were apprehensive of losing their children to ill health while emphasizing that their present challenges could affect their children's future. However, the adolescent mothers invoked their agency by subtly using strategies such as petty trading and apprenticeship to reduce the social consequences of unintended pregnancy and earn a living. Recognizing adolescent mothers' agency in policies targeted toward their empowerment would be of benefit.     

Household consumption profile of cowpea (vigna unguiculata) among low‐income families in Nigeria

Two hundred and fifty households comprising in general three adults and four children were randomly sampled in and around Nsukka Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, to investigate the patterns of consumption and utilisation of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata), with the long‐term aim of finding ways of maximising its production and consumption. Information was obtained by means of a questionnaire administered in the households, and general physique was assessed by anthropométrie measurements on pre‐school children. The study showed that 13 % of the children investigated were mildly malnourished according to their weight‐for‐height, while 41 % were stunted. It was found that cowpea was very popular; being consumed twice a week or more often by 88 % of respondents, usually in the form of bean‐staple mixes, and 96 % of the households used cowpea for infant feeding. Different techniques for repelling weevils during household storage and current methods of preparing traditional cowpea foods were reported. Reasons for infrequent preparation of these foods were identified. The possible role of an inexpensive, locally manufactured weaning food based on cowpea is discussed.     

Adolescents living in boarding houses in Nsukka,Enugu State,Nigeria I: Meal patterns,nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake

The meal patterns, nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake of 287 secondary school adolescents aged 13–18 years, living in boarding houses were determined. The meal patterns and nutrition knowledge were determined by questionnaire. The dietary intake study was conducted on 50 adolescents over a 7‐day period and nurient intake calculated from the nutrient composition of foods consumed. Ninety‐two per cent (92%) of the adolescents depended on both school meals and snacks. About 87% skipped school meals at some time. Meal skipping depended on such factors as availability of money to purchase snacks, availability of food in adolescent's locker, school regulations regarding school meals, the quality of food served and the adolescents attitude towards certain foods. The most popular snacks were “Okpa”, a pudding made from bambara groundnut (Voandaeia subterranea) and soaked “garri” (fermented cassava product) with or without groundnuts. The energy and calcium intake (337–398 mg/d) for both sexes were below FAO/WHO standards. The energy intake of the male adolescents (35–37 kcal/kg) was higher than that of the female adolescents (28–30 kcal/kg). However, anthropometric indices showed that the female adolescents had better nutritional status compared to their male counterparts. Intakes of protein and iron were above FAO/WHO standards but were marginal for phosphorus. The adolescents had a fair nutrition knowledge with a percentage mean score of 56.1 ± 14.5. However, nutrition knowledge was not significantly related to nutrient intake.     

Changes in ascorbic acid contents in oranges and cashew apples with maturity

This study examined the changes in ascorbic acid contents in the juice of oranges and cashew apples with maturity. The ascorbic acid was extracted with 5% metaphosphoric acid and determined by titration. Maturity was judged on the basis of size, color and firmness of the fruits. The results showed that ascorbic acid contents varied with maturity and location and peaked at the ripe stage (120 to 130mg/100g orange; 437 to 468mg/100g cashew apple) and decreased as ripening progressed. Juice yield varied from 34 to 48% (oranges) and 28 to 44% (cashew apple).     

Urban women’s use of rural-based health care services: The case of Igbo women in Aba city,Nigeria

This study addresses the quest for rural-based health care services among women in urban Nigeria relying on a large qualitative database obtained from 63 Igbo women living in Aba, Nigeria. Results indicate that urban Igbo women of different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics utilize the services of different rural-based health care providers—indigenous healers, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), faith/spiritual, western-trained doctors and nurses as well as chemist shopkeepers—for conditions ranging from infertility, through child birthing and abortions, to swollen body, epilepsy, bone setting, and stubborn skin diseases. Major attractions to rural-based therapists were the failure of urban-based health services to provide cure, perceived mystical nature of conditions, need to conceal information on therapeutic progress and/or the nature of specific disease conditions, belief in rural-based therapists’ ability to cure condition, and affordability of the services of rural-based health care providers. Findings underscore the critical implications of service characteristics, cultural beliefs, and the symbolic content of place(s) for care seekers’ patterns of resort. We suggest that need exists for policies and programs aimed at making health care services in urban Nigeria more responsive to care seekers’ socioeconomic and cultural sensitivities, integrating informal health care providers into Nigeria’s health care system, and strengthening public health education in Nigeria.     

Rotavirus diarrhoea hospitalizations among children under 5 years of age in Nigeria, 2011–2016

BackgroundThe high burden of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is well documented among children under 5 years of age, with the majority of mortality occurring in developing countries. Nigeria ranked second worldwide in the number of rotavirus deaths in 2013. As Nigeria plans to introduce rotavirus vaccine soon, a pre-vaccine documentation of rotavirus disease burden is necessary to determine vaccine impact.MethodsRoutine rotavirus surveillance was conducted during 2011–2016 in 3 sentinel sites in Nigeria using the standard WHO protocol. Children under 5 years of age hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis were enrolled and demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected. A stool sample was subsequently obtained and tested for human rotavirus antigen using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results2694 children with acute gastroenteritis were enrolled during January 2011 to December 2016; of these, 1242 (46%) tested positive for rotavirus. Among the rotavirus positive cases, 66% and 94% were younger than 12 months and 24 months respectively. Marked peaks in rotavirus positivity were seen in January of each year. Vomiting, and use of oral and intravenous fluids occurred more often in rotavirus positive cases as compared to rotavirus negative cases.ConclusionThe high prevalence of rotavirus disease highlights the need for urgent introduction of rotavirus vaccine in Nigeria. Additionally, this study provides pre-vaccine introduction disease-burden data that will serve as a baseline for rotavirus vaccine impact-assessment once vaccine has been introduced in the national immunization program.     

Prevalence and correlates of never vaccinated Nigerian children,aged 1–5 years

IntroductionA unique population of Nigerian children, aged 1–5 years, never receive any of the recommended childhood vaccines. However, the characteristics of this population has not been previously described. Given Nigeria’s historically poor childhood immunization coverage and high child mortality rates, it was imperative we investigate the prevalence and correlates of never-vacccination among Nigerian children.MethodsWe conducted secondary analysis of the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey data of Nigerian children, aged 12–59 months (n = 20,586). Weighted multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and never-vaccination of Nigerian children. Further regression analysis was conducted after stratifying by Northern and Southern regions.ResultsAbout twenty one percent of study sample, had never been vaccinated. Over eighty percent of the never-vaccinated children in our study resided in the Northern geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Child never-vaccination was found to be significantly associated with key socio-demographic characteristics. Children born into poor households, with mothers who are unemployed and uneducation, were more likely to be never-vaccinated. Unique predictors of child never-vaccination specific to Northern Nigeria were identified. Islam (aOR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.17) and lack of access to Television or Radio (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22–1.81) promoted never-vaccination, while increasing maternal age and rural residence (aOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95) were associated with lower odds of never-vaccination.ConclusionSocio-demographic factors are predictors of child never-vaccination in Nigeria. Further investigations are needed to better understand the underlying contexts that conribute to child never-vaccination in populations identified in this study. More so, it is important to examine the mechanism through which predictors that are region-speific, culminate in child never-vaccination.     

Nutrient Intake in Children 4–13 Years Old in Ibadan,Nigeria

The paucity of adequate data on dietary and nutrient intakes of school-age children is a barrier to addressing malnutrition and associated risks in Nigeria. This study included 955 children aged 4–13 years from Ibadan, Nigeria, using a stratified random sampling design. Information on family socio-demographic characteristics was reported, and child anthropometrics were measured. Dietary intake data were collected using a multi-pass 24 h dietary recall method; 20% of subjects completed a second 24 h recall to estimate usual nutrient intakes. Means and distributions of usual intakes of energy and nutrients as well as prevalence of inadequacy were estimated. Usual energy intake (kcal/day) was 1345 and 1590 for younger (4–8 years) and older (9–13 years) age groups, respectively. The macronutrient intakes of most children did not conform to Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs), which were characterized by a higher proportion of energy from carbohydrates and lower proportion from total fats. Protein intake was largely within the AMDR. Compared to recommendations, over 60% of 4–8-year-old children had inadequate intakes of calcium, copper, iron, folate, and vitamins A, D, and E. There were more micronutrient inadequacies in the older children. This study identifies nutrition gaps and suggests future research and education to improve child nutrition in Nigeria.     

mHealth: Using Mobile Technology to Support Healthcare

Adherence to long-term therapy in outpatient setting is required to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This paper presents a mobile technology-based medical alert system for outpatient adherence in Nigeria. The system makes use of the SMS and voice features of mobile phones. The system has the potential of improving adherence to medication in outpatient setting by reminding patients of dosing schedules and attendance to scheduled appointments through SMS and voice calls. It will also inform patients of benefits and risks associated with adherence. Interventions aimed at improving adherence would provide significant positive return on investment through primary prevention (of risk factors) and secondary prevention of adverse health outcomes.