Child Survival Strategies: Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of Rural Women of Reproductive Age in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Aniekan Jumbo Etokidem,Ofonime Johnson

doi:10.1155/2016/5098463

Aniekan Jumbo Etokidem, Ofonime Johnson

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5098463

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Abstract

Introduction. Nigeria is one of the five countries that account for about 50% of under-five mortality in the world. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of child survival strategies among rural community caregivers in Cross River State of Nigeria. Materials and Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional survey used a pretested questionnaire to obtain information from 150 women of reproductive age. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results. The child survival strategy known to most of the respondents was oral rehydration therapy as indicated by 98% followed by female education by 73.3% and immunization by 67.3%. Only 20% of the respondents had adequate knowledge of frequency of weighing a child while only 32.7% knew that breastfeeding should be continued even if the child had diarrhea. More respondents with nonformal education (83.3%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding of their last children compared to respondents with primary education (77.3%), secondary education (74.2%), and tertiary education (72.2%). Conclusion. Although respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge and practice of most of the strategies, there was evidence of gaps, including myths and misconceptions that could mar efforts towards reducing child morbidity and mortality in the state.

Highlights

Nigeria is one of the five countries that account for about 50% of under-five mortality in the world
32.7% of respondents knew that breastfeeding should be continued even when the child has diarrhea. This is comparable to the finding by Tobin et al that 35.3% of respondents in a related study in a rural community in SouthSouth Nigeria indicated that a child that has diarrhea should be given more breast milk than usual [8]
There was evidence of some gaps like majority of respondents not knowing that breastfeeding should be continued even when the child has diarrhea. Such inadequate knowledge and practice, including evidence of myths and misconceptions demonstrated by the respondents, could mar efforts to reduce child morbidity and mortality in the state

Summary

Introduction

Nigeria is one of the five countries that account for about 50% of under-five mortality in the world. About 50% of under-five child deaths occur in only five countries of the world, namely, India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, and China. Two of these countries, India and Nigeria, account for more than onethird of global under-five mortality, contributing 22 percent and 13 percent, respectively [1]. Sub-Saharan Africa records the highest rates of under-five child mortality in the world, 98 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure is 15 times the average for developed countries [1]

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion