Awareness of Adverse Effects of Tobacco Smoke on Under-Five Children Among Nursing Mothers Attending Clinics at Ikotun Primary Health Centre, Lagos (Published)
Tobacco smoke has remained a major public health challenge despite numerous strategies devised by international communities to control it. Studies have shown that maternal passive and active smoking is associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. Parents who choose to smoke are possibly not aware of or deny the negative effects of such action on their offspring. Based on this observation, this study investigated awareness of adverse effects of tobacco smoke on under-5 children amongst nursing mothers attending clinics at Ikotun PHC Lagos. The study employed a descriptive survey design, convenience sampling, a self-designed questionnaire, and both face and content validity to assess the awareness of nursing mothers attending Ikotun Primary Health Centre, Lagos, regarding the adverse effects of tobacco smoke on their under-five children. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and presented descriptively in frequency tables to provide insights into the research objectives. Study revealed that the overall awareness and knowledge level of tobacco smoke was good as majority (74.2%) and (52.5%) of the study population were aware and knowledgeable about the harmful effects of tobacco smoke to young children. Also, the nursing mothers exhibited poor perception towards tobacco smoke with a mean score of 1.4 and 37.5% of them that strongly agreed that tobacco smoking is not harmful even during pregnancy. majority (83.3%) and (76.7%) of the study population believed that being a smoker and age respectively affects knowledge and how the pregnant women perceive the adverse effects of tobacco smoking particularly on the unborn. Most (65.8%) affirmed that having a smoker in the family affects the perception of the adverse effects of tobacco smoking. Based on these findings, there is need for public health education programme targeting this population should enhance their self-awareness and consequently increase their knowledge to the complications, discomforts, infertility and adverse perinatal outcomes related to STS exposure and prompt them to adopt prevention strategies.
Keywords: Adverse Effects., awareness, nursing mothers, tobacco smoke, under-5
Influence of Radio Messages on Malaria Prevention Behaviour among Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigated influence of radio messages on malaria prevention behaviour among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Agenda Setting was the theoretical framework. Questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The issues of exposure, acceptance and adoption/behavioral change which formed the basis of the hypothesis were tested using chi-square. Result shows radio as an effective medium of disseminating maternal health messages. The study calls on the ministry of health to partner with both local and international health agencies in anti-malaria policy formulation and implementations towards ameliorating malaria fatalities among pregnant women and nursing mothers, particularly, among rural pregnant mothers. Again, distribution of free mosquito-treated nets to pregnant women and nursing mothers should be regular, particularly among the poor rural dwellers as this would go a long way in curtailing the menace of malaria among this vulnerable age-group. The study further calls for a reinvigorated effort at promoting maternal health messages, particularly on malaria prevention using a multi-media approach for wider reach and access.
Nweze Samuel, Kenneth Adibe Nwafor, Nwafor, Ezinne Comfort , Nnamani Nkechi Abigail, Nworie Happiness, Inah Libra Chinedu (2020), Influence of Radio Messages on Malaria Prevention Behaviour among Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, Vol.6, No.2, pp.73-83,
Keywords: Influence, Pregnant Women, malaria prevention behavior, nursing mothers, radio messages