Um Chukwuocha

Prevalent home management techniques and outcome among mothers of febrile children in Eastern Nigeria

The magnitude of the consequences and the extent of problem associated with febrile illnesses in children have been shown to be associated to mothers’ behaviour in treatment, decision making and prevention of childhood illnesses which are in turn influenced by social, cultural and intra-household relations. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to assess the method employed by caregivers in the management of febrile conditions of their children in parts of Eastern Nigeria. About 100 women were sampled using multistage sampling techniques. Common actions taken by mothers and caregivers in the management of febrile include administration of home drug (32%), tepid sponging (4%), striping the baby naked (16%) and took baby/child to hospital (48%). Result from the study showed significant relationship between age of mother (p<0.05), educational attainment of mother (p<0.05), number of children (p<0.05) as well as occupation of mothers (p<0.05) and management action taken. Caregivers need to be properly aware of ill health conditions of their children and be properly equipped with prowess to manage them. There is also need for the governments through the primary health care system to improve their interaction with the grass root women and educate them more on integrated management of childhood illness.

Local knowledge and perceptions on the transmission, treatment and prevention of loiasis in parts of Niger Delta Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Indigenous knowledge and perceptions on the transmission, treatment and prevention of loiasis was investigated in parts of the Niger Delta Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Data was obtained using pretested questionnaires, in-depth interviews and participant-observation techniques. Knowledge about the disease was based mainly on recognition of clinical manifestations (eye worm and calabar swelling). The males (58.2%) knew more about the disease than the females (41.8%). Respondents,60 years above (51%) had the most knowledge about the disease. Health workers (58.5%) had more knowledge of the disease among occupational groups. Only 2.8% of respondents attributed transmission of infection to the vector fly, chrysops species. The preferred methods of disease prevention included: maintenance of personal hygiene (18.5%) for eye worm and avoidance of insect bite (19.3%) for calabar swelling. Herbal therapy was mostly preferred for treating the disease manifestations. The results from this study suggests a need for the introduction of community education programmes aimed at creating awareness on the disease so as to ensure better control and preventive measures.