Health Status Of Children Research Articles

The impact of health of mothers on health of children delivered by women 35-45 age old after application of auxiliary reproductive technologies

The treatment of women aged 35 years and older with infertility applies assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in every third case. The purpose of the study is to analyze impact of maternal health on health of children who were delivered by women aged 35 years and older after application of ART. The analytical, direct observation, sociological (questioning), and statistical methods were applied. To study health status of children born after application of ART methods in women aged 35-45 years, representative main group of 648 preschool children (4-6 years old) was selected. The second control group included 649 preschool children (4-6 years old), who were as identical as possible to children from the main group, selected according to following characteristics: mother's age at birth of child (35-45 years), age (from 4 to 6 years), all were observed in same medical organization, birth from a singleton, full-term (37 weeks or more) pregnancy. The main and control groups differed from each other only in presence or absence of ART methods. The children born preterm, from egg donor programs and multiple pregnancies were excluded from study. The children health was studied according to medical examinations, medical records, child development history, and mothers questionnaire data on children health. The course of pregnancy and childbirth, morbidity and lifestyle characteristics of mothers were studied according to their questionnaires and copies of data from their outpatient medical records. It was established that there is direct correlation between health of child and health of mother (r = 0.571; p < 0.01, t = 3). At that, it was revealed that differences in level of general morbidity of children after ART and children from spontaneous pregnancy are achieved within account of significant differences in subgroup of children of mothers aged 38-45 years (3353.7‰ and 2341.8‰ control group).

Changes in parents' health concerns by post-preterm birth period in South Korea: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to examine the health concerns of parents regarding their premature infants and to identify changes in these concerns during perinatal period and after discharge. This was a retrospective study performed at a single tertiary center that enrolled 119 premature infants who were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and visited the outpatient pediatrics department between December 2018 and October 2021. Data on the concerns of 176 parents regarding enrolled premature infants' health from before birth to 1 week after NICU discharge were obtained from outpatient records. The t test and with the chi-squared test were used to analyze the data for this study. The consistently greatest focus of parents' health concerns was the respiratory system. The second focus of parents' health concerns before discharge was the central nervous system. However, during the first week after NICU discharge, the gastrointestinal system was the second-most frequent focus of parents' health concerns among parents of infants without diseases related to prematurity and infants with older gestational ages. The results of this study offer insights into the health concerns among parents of premature infants. Parental health concerns about premature infants vary over time, from before birth to post-discharge, necessitating supportive interventions to enhance parental understanding of their child's health status.

HEALTH STATUS, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CORRELATES TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF CHILDREN IN SOUTH ITALY

The inverse relationship between sedentary habits, physical fitness, self-perception, and enjoyment during physical activity (PA) has been widely demonstrated by international literature. Furthermore, according to recent epidemiological report, Italy is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents. The present study aims to assess physical fitness levels, self-perception and enjoyment in a sample of 3676 primary school children (M = 1861, F = 1815, mean age = 9-10 years) attending the SBAM! project in Apulia, Southern Italy. The objective is to provide epidemiological data of the health status of children through the assessment of BMI Z-scores, physical fitness and factors related to the practice of PA. The following physical fitness test were proposed: standing long jump, (SLJ), shuttle run 10x4, (10x4), and 6 minutes walk test (6MWT), to assess lower limb explosive strength, agility and coordination, and aerobic endurance, respectively. Two validated questionnaires were used to assess self-perception and enjoyment. Results showed a large percentage of children that were overweight/obese or underweight, and a negative relation with physical fitness test and questionnaires. Moreover, normal weight sample had better motor performance, self-perception, and enjoyment during PA than underweight or overweight/obese groups. These results confirm the needs to promote and develop projects and institutional interventions aimed at enhancing physical activity and healthy lifestyles in Southern Italy.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in School Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: To identify the characteristics of age groups of children from 10 to 14 years old in terms of the ratio of body weight and length, in particular, the relative number of children with overweight and obesity, and to develop recommendations for reducing body weight for children 10-14 years old. Material and Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey of the health status (overweight and obesity) of school children was conducted on sample 500 school children from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republic Srpska entity), which included 246 boys and 254 girls, aged 10 to 14 years. Anthropometric data including Body height (BH), Body weight (BW) and age were collected from all elementary school children. Body mass index (BMI) is an anthropometric index of weight and height that is calculated by dividing a person's weight (kg) by the square of their height (m^2). BMI participants was estimated with the Percentile BMI calculator for children and teens aged 2-19 years. The studied children were defined as underweight, normal (healthy)-weight, overweight and obese according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) child growth characteristics for age, sex, and BMI. Basic central and dispersion parameters (Mean, Min., Max., Range, SD, CI 95%, CV%, Skew., Kurt.) were calculated for each variable. To confirm normality, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied (p&gt;0.05). The homogeneity of variance was tested with Levene's test. The nutritional status of the subjects was assessed using percentile values on the basis of which the percentile categories are calculated. Statistical procedures and analyzes were performed using the statistical package STATISTICA 10.0 for Windows. Results: The dynamics of changes in the relative number of children with overweight and obesity from 10 to 14 years old was revealed. The lowest number of overweight and obese students was recorded at the age of 14 (1% &lt;). The results of malnutrition in boys point to the conclusion that it is present in a smaller percentage, from 1.96% (age 14) to 6.12% (age 12). The largest number of girls at the age of 13 were overweight, 10 (19.23%) and obese (2%&lt;), and then at the age of 10 and 11 (overweight 15.68% vs. 13.72%, and obesity 1.96% vs 3.92%). Malnutrition as a category is in a slightly higher percentage than for boys, ranging from 3.92% (11 and 12 years) to 7.84% (10 years). Conclusions: If a child is overweight at any age, this should be an alarming signal, as it can provoke weight gain in adulthood or with the slightest decrease in self-control. Therefore, the best strategy would be to create conditions for a child's development in which he will receive joy from other sources, and not just from food and activities that do not require physical activity. Finding even a relatively small number of overweight and obese children is not a benign problem. It requires its own solution, helping such children understand their problem and overcome it.

Association between being breastfed in infancy and adult colorectal cancer risk among Japanese men and women

It has been postulated that being breastfed in infancy affects not only health status in childhood but also disease risk in adulthood. To investigate the association of being breastfed with the risks of adult colorectal cancer and benign tumor, we conducted a case–control study including 1190 colorectal cancer and 1585 benign tumor cases and 5301 controls, admitted to a single hospital in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, between 1997 and 2013. History of having been breastfed was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. There was no association between being breastfed and colorectal cancer risk (breastfed versus formula-only fed, OR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.87–1.67). There was also no association with the risk of benign tumor (OR = 1.04). On the other hand, analyses stratified by sex and birth year found heterogeneous associations. Women born after 1950 who had been breastfed tended to have increased risks of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.58) and benign tumor (OR = 1.51) relative to those who had been formula-only fed, although not statistically significant. In men born after 1950, being breastfed was associated with a significantly decreased risk of benign tumor (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.33–0.98).

Food diversity: its relation to children’s health and consequent economic burden

BackgroundThis study investigates the impact of low food diversity on the health status of children using the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Dietary Serving Score (DSS) in a sub-district with the highest percentage of poor households. The economic burden of low food diversity was observed by analysing the cost of illness in the children with low food diversity.MethodsData from 329 children were collected. We determined the impact of DDS and DSS and other factors on the health status of children aged 2–14 years, using a probit model. The cost of illness (e.g., typhus, stomach ulcers, coughs, flu, and fever) due to low food diversity was calculated from medical registration fees, medical action costs, transportation costs, and other costs.ResultsThe results shows that a 1% point increase in DDS or DSS potentially decreases children’s health complaints by 10% and 8%, respectively. Given the current 26% prevalence of health complaints among children with low DDS, the annual economic burden reaches US$75.72 per child per household. In addition, the current 41% prevalence of children with low DDS resulted in an annual cost to the government of US$153.45 per child.ConclusionsThe effect of inadequate dietary diversity on children’s health is potentially high and contributes to the economic burden on households and the government.

Association of socioeconomic disadvantage and ethnicity with perinatal neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia

BackgroundInfant mortality rates are reliable indices of the child and general population health status and health care delivery. The most critical factors affecting infant mortality are socioeconomic status and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to assess the association between socioeconomic disadvantage, ethnicity, and perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe associations between socioeconomic disadvantage (educational level, long-term unemployment rate), ethnicity (the proportion of the Roma population) and mortality (perinatal, neonatal, and infant) in the period 2017–2022 were explored, using linear regression models.ResultsThe higher proportion of people with only elementary education and long-term unemployed, as well as the higher proportion of the Roma population, increases mortality rates. The proportion of the Roma population had the most significant impact on mortality in the selected period between 2017 and 2022, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022).ConclusionsLife in segregated Roma settlements is connected with the accumulation of socioeconomic disadvantage. Persistent inequities between Roma and the majority population in Slovakia exposed by mortality rates in children point to the vulnerabilities and exposures which should be adequately addressed by health and social policies.

Activities of daily living, self-efficacy and motor skill related fitness and the interrelation in children with moderate and severe Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are diagnosed based on poor motor skills that impact their daily activities. However, this may also lead to lower predilection and participation in physical activities and a higher risk to develop health problems. To determine motor skill related levels in children with moderate and severe DCD and compare that to typically developing children (TD). The study also aimed to determine the level of activities of daily living (ADL) as reported by their parent and self-efficacy as reported by the children. Lastly, the relation of motor skill related fitness, ADL, and self-efficacy has been examined. A cross-sectional study has compared TD children (n = 105) and children with DCD (n = 109; 45 moderate DCD and 64 severe DCD) from elementary schools in Tunisia between 7 and 10 years of age. The DCDDaily-Questionnaire and Children's Self-perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity Questionnaire have been used to determine ADL and adequacy towards physical activity, respectively. The PERF-FIT has been used to measure motor skill related fitness levels. Large group differences (p = 0.001) were found for ADL and all domains of self-efficacy between TD and DCD children. However, ADL and self-efficacy were not different between moderate and severe DCD. Motor skill related fitness was significantly lower (p = 0.01) for children with DCD than TD children, and between children with moderate and severe DCD. The relation between self-efficacy and DCDDaily-Q was different in the two DCD groups. Slow motor learning was associated with lower perceived enjoyment in physical education in the moderate DCD group, and with lower perceived adequacy in physical education in the severe DCD group. Children with DCD participate and enjoy physical activity less than their peers. This combination of lower participation, lower predilection to physical activity and lowered motor skill-related fitness is a concern for the present and future health status of children with DCD.

Impact of SCOPE Program on Health-Related Quality of Life and Health Status of Children With Thalassemia: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Iron chelation, blood transfusions, and complication management are typical hospital requirements for children with beta-thalassemia major. This affects their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the Supportive and Coping strategies, Ongoing Assessment, Prevention of Complications, and Empowerment (SCOPE) Program impacted the HRQoL and overall health of children with thalassemia. Method: The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group with a sequential follow-up design. A nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used to include 80 children with beta-thalassemia major in the sample, ranging in age from 6 to 18. Data were gathered using a Demographic Profile, PedsQLTM Version 4.0, and a Clinical Profile. The children in the intervention group received the SCOPE Program over the course of 6 months. The data collection included a pretest and a posttest with four follow-up evaluations. Results: During the pretest, children with thalassemia had a very low HRQoL. However, the final assessment after the intervention showed a significant difference in the mean scores between the two groups in the areas of physical functioning (p = .001), emotional functioning (p = .0001), social functioning (p = .001), and school functioning (p = .001). Growth indicators also demonstrated a notable improvement in the intervention group of children. Discussion: The SCOPE Program may be a thorough and efficient intervention for enhancing the general health of children with thalassemia. It can be used as a cooperative, well-organized, family-focused care strategy. Further study with a larger sample size is suggested.

Correlation of the Apgar Score with Dental Caries in 3- to 5-year-old Iranian Children.

Dental caries is a serious health condition in children. Poor diet, poor oral hygiene, and unique anatomy of the primary teeth can all contribute to the development of caries in primary teeth. Developmental structural defects in teeth during the fetal period and the first year after birth are believed to increase caries susceptibility. This study aimed to assess the correlation of the Apgar score with dental caries in 3- to 5-year-old Iranian children. This retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Tehran Dental School in 2022. A total of 123 eligible children between 3-5 years were enrolled. The parents were requested to fill out a checklist regarding the information of demographics, birth and infancy condition and Apgar score of children. The children underwent clinical dental examination, and their dmft was recorded. Data were analyzed by the Pearson and regression tests. P values < 0.1 were considered statistically significant. The Pearson test showed that the 1-minute (P = 0.000) and 5-minute (P = 0.000) Apgar scores had a significant correlation with dmft. The regression analysis of demographic and birth factors revealed significant correlations between duration of breastfeeding (P = 0.066) and age of initiation of toothbrushing (P = 0.019) with dmft. Also, birth weight (P = 0.026) and mother's educational level (P = 0.090) had significant correlations with the Apgar score. The results indicated a significant correlation between the Apgar score and dental caries. Thus, newborns with lower Apgar scores are recommended to receive more regular oral and dental care services.

Which aspects of education are health protective? a life course examination of early education and adulthood cardiometabolic health in the 30-year study of early child care and Youth Development (SECCYD)

BackgroundPast research describes robust associations between education and health, yet findings have generally been limited to the examination of education as the number of years of education or educational attainment. Little is known about the specific features or processes underpinning education that are health protective. The objective of the current study was to address this gap by examining specific aspects of early education pertaining to student characteristics and experiences, as well as features of the classroom environment, in predicting cardiometabolic health in adulthood.MethodsSubjects were 1364 participants in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD, 1991–2009) and recent SECCYD 30-year follow-up, the Study of Health in Early and Adult Life (SHINE, 2018–2022). Models examined individual education indicators (student social skills, student-teacher relationship quality, and classroom emotional and instructional quality in the period of elementary school and student academic performance between ages 54 months and 15 years) in relation to a composite of cardiometabolic risk in adulthood (ages 26–31), reflecting central adiposity, blood pressure, insulin resistance, inflammation, and dyslipidemia. Models were adjusted for key explanatory factors including socio-demographics, infant characteristics, parental socioeconomic status (SES), and child health status. Follow-up analyses were performed to test potential mediators of early education effects on adult health, including adult SES (educational attainment, household income) and health behaviors (diet quality, activity level, sleep duration, smoking).ResultsIn adjusted models, results showed greater student social skills, indexed by a mean of annual teacher ratings between kindergarten and 6th grade, predicted lower cardiometabolic risk in adulthood (β=-0.009, p <.05). In follow-up analyses, results showed the protective effect of student social skills on cardiometabolic risk may be mediated by adult income (β=-0.0014, p <.05) and diet quality (β=-0.0031, p <.05). Effects of the other early education indicators were non-significant (ps > 0.05).ConclusionsFindings point to the potential significance of early student social competence as a link to long-term health, possibly via the acquisition of resources needed for the maintenance of health, as well as through engagement in health behaviors supporting healthy eating. However, more research is needed to replicate these findings and to elaborate on the role of early student social competence and the pathways explaining its effects on cardiometabolic health in adulthood.

The Hidden Burden: Encountering and Managing (Unintended) Stigma in Children with Serious Illnesses

Families managing serious health conditions in children are often burdened not only by the challenge of health management but also by the heavy weight of stigma. To assist these families, various physical and digital support systems have been established to address their emotional and informational needs. We interviewed 32 children and parents living with serious chronic pulmonary illnesses to gain insights into their experiences with both their conditions and support systems. We discovered that, although a wide range of support systems were available, most participants chose to engage selectively with or completely withdraw from them. Using the ecological systems theory, we elucidate the presence of health-related and unintended stigmas associated with support systems across different ecological layers. Our work provides a comprehensive and dynamic perspective on these stigmas, considering technological, interpersonal, institutional, and social factors. By examining how stigma arises in social interactions, we introduce and delve into the concept of "stigma work" and offer design considerations for more empathetic support systems that attend to individuals and groups with stigmatized health conditions, identities, or experiences.

Respiratory Syncytial Vaccination: Parents' Willingness to Vaccinate Their Children.

This study was conducted to assess parents' willingness to vaccinate their children with the RSV vaccine and the key predictors of this intention among parents in Italy. Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire from April to November 2023, targeting parents in public kindergartens and nursery schools in southern Italy. The survey assessed parents' socio-demographic characteristics, health-related details, their child's health status, attitudes toward RSV infection and its vaccine, and their source(s) of information. A total of 404 parents agreed to participate in the study. Only 18.2% of participants were very concerned that their children could get infected by RSV, and this concern was more likely among parents whose child had been diagnosed with bronchiolitis, those who received information from HCWs, those who had heard of RSV, and those who needed additional information. Almost half (51.3%) were willing to vaccinate their child, and this inclination was more likely among fathers, employed parents, those with daughters, those who had heard of RSV, those who received information from HCWs, and those who needed additional information. An educational campaign regarding a future RSV vaccine, especially about its safety and efficacy, is needed in order to improve parents' willingness.

Assessment of the general health status of children in Turkey: A community-based cross-sectional study.

This study aims to assess the general health status and factors affecting the general health status in the 0-14 age group in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Turkish Statistical Institute Turkey Health Survey 2022 micro data set. This study included 7019 participants. Household heads described the general health status of 91.3% of children and the dental and gum status of 82.4% of children as very good or good, and 9.2% of children had any chronic disease. Although the median breastfeeding duration was 15 months, there is statistical significant association between sex and general health status (p = 0.014) and sex and duration of breastfeeding (p = 0.006). A statistical difference was found between duration of breastfeeding and general health status (p = 0.009) and dental and gum status (p = 0.001). In 2022, the majority of children in Turkey had very good or good general health and dental and gum status. More than a third of children were breastfed for less than 12 months. Considering the possibility of neglecting oral and dental health problems, it is recommended to prioritize oral and dental health literacy trainings and to continue breastfeeding promotion programmes.

Acculturation and Health Status in the Children's Healthy Living Program in the Pacific Region.

Acculturation/enculturation has been found to impact childhood health and obesity status. The objective of this study is to use cross-sectional data to examine the association between proxies of adult/caregiver acculturation/enculturation and child health status (Body Mass Index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and acanthosis nigricans [AN]) in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), Alaska, and Hawai'i. Study participants were from the Children's Healthy Living (CHL) Program, an environmental intervention trial and obesity prevalence survey. Anthropometric data from 2-8 year olds and parent/caregiver questionnaires were used in this analysis. The results of this study (n = 4121) saw that those parents/caregivers who identified as traditional had children who were protected against overweight/obesity (OWOB) status and WC > 75th percentile (compared to the integrated culture identity) when adjusted for significant variables from the descriptive analysis. AN did not have a significant association with cultural classification. Future interventions in the USAPI, Alaska, and Hawai'i may want to focus efforts on parents/caregivers who associated with an integrated cultural group as an opportunity to improve health and reduce child OWOB prevalence.

Results of a comprehensive assessment of the health status of children after a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

The inhabitants of the planet in the XXI century are experiencing a second pandemic. The new coronavirus SARSCoV-2 is distinguished not only by its ubiquitous spread, but also by the possibility of developing adverse outcomes, which does not cause anyone doubts today.Aim. To present the dynamic characteristics of children’s health depending on the form of severity of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).Material and methods. A prospective single-center clinical study of the complex state of health of children hospitalized in a monoinfective hospital on the basis of the GUZ “City Clinical Hospital” was conducted. The observation included 86 convalescents of a new coronavirus infection aged 7 to 14 years. Dynamic monitoring was carried out for children for 1.5 years from the moment of infection with SARSCoV-2, control visits were performed 1, 6 and 18 months after the disease.Results and discussion. According to the results of a comprehensive assessment of the health status of children after COVID-19, an increase in the number of registrations of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections in convalescents of a moderate form of a new coronavirus infection was found. In 35 (41%) children after infection with SARSCoV-2, concomitant diseases were recorded, in contrast to 23 (26.7%) cases recorded before the pandemic. The structure of concomitant pathology in COVID-19 convalescents is represented by endocrine pathology in 30.2% of cases, in patients after moderate forms of the disease, the frequency of eating disorders (19.8%) increased by 2 times relative to the period before COVID-19, type 1 diabetes mellitus was first detected in 1 (1.2%) child. Diseases of the nervous system (20.9%) were 1.9 times more likely to be diagnosed after COVID-19. Diseases of the eye and its accessory apparatus were registered in 16.3% of children, more often after a moderate form of the disease. The number of cases of gastrointestinal pathology has not changed. Diseases of the respiratory system were recorded in 4.7% of patients, skin and subcutaneous tissue – 3.5% of the examined.Conclusion. A comprehensive assessment of the health status of children after COVID-19 for 1.5 years allows us to establish a decrease in the response of the child’s macroorganism to acute respiratory infections, an increase in the number of registered comorbidities, the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and its consequences for children.

Controlling fetal stress for preventing adverse health conditions in neonates and children.

Controlling fetal stress for preventing adverse health conditions in neonates and children.

Normative performance data on visual attention in neurotypical children: virtual reality assessment of cognitive and psychomotor development

Introduction: Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionizing healthcare research and practice by offering innovative methodologies across various clinical conditions. Advances in VR technology enable the creation of controllable, multisensory 3D environments, making it an appealing tool for capturing and quantifying behavior in realistic scenarios. This paper details the application of VR as a tool for neurocognitive evaluation, specifically in attention process assessment, an area of relevance for informing the diagnosis of childhood health conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Methods: The data presented focuses on attention performance results from a large sample (n = 837) of neurotypical male and female children (ages 6–13) tested on a visual continuous performance task, administered within an immersive VR classroom environment. This data was collected to create a normative baseline database for use to inform comparisons with the performances of children with ADHD to support diagnostic decision-making in this area.Results: Results indicate systematic improvements on most metrics across the age span, and sex differences are noted on key variables thought to reflect differential measures of hyperactivity and inattention in children with ADHD. Results support VR technology as a safe and viable option for testing attention processes in children, under stimulus conditions that closely mimic ecologically relevant challenges found in everyday life.Discussion: In response to these stimulus conditions, VR can support advanced methods for capturing and quantifying users’ behavioral responses. VR offers a more systematic and objective approach for clinical assessment and intervention and provides conceptual support for its use in a wide variety of healthcare contexts.

Factors influencing use of contraceptives among literate married women in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State.

Contraceptives uses are issues of concern around the world due to the adverse effects of unsafe sexual behaviours, such as unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among women. To investigate the factors influencing use of contraceptives among literate married women in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State. The study also examined whether the variables of age, religion and educational qualification would influence the respondent's view. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to draw a total of 210 respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Mean and rank order was used to answer the research question while Analysis of Variance was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that factors influencing contraceptive use among literate married women are educational qualification, health condition and number of children among others. Findings also revealed that there were no significant differences in the factors influencing use of contraceptives among literate married women based on age and religious affiliation while significant difference was found in educational qualification. Majority of the respondents attested to the factors influencing contraceptive use among literate married women. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that contextual and cultural considerations are recommended for comprehensive understanding of factors influencing contraceptive use among Nigerian women, educative interventions by service providers on the necessity of continuous contraception even at older age before menopause should be recommended.

Evaluation of Oral Health Status and Dietary Habits in School Children among age 12-14 years; A Cross-Sectional Study

The prevalence of dental caries among Pakistani schoolchildren is rising. Current epidemiological statistics are required to determine treatment needs. These numbers are not presently accessible for elementary school students. Objectives: To assess the Oral health status of secondary school children 12 – 14 years through DMFT index and to determine the relationship between dietary habits and Dental caries of secondary school children aged 12 – 14 years via questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through interviews and clinical examinations in three Secondary schools of children based in Lahore. Number of participants were 398 children aged 12 to 14 years, encompassing both males and females. Oral health status and Dietary habits were evaluated through DMFT Index and Self-administered WHO Approved Questionnaire. Correlation of Demographic variables and Dietary habits of participants with High DMFT was observed. Results: The DMFT percentage was found to be 76% among 398 participants, indicating a significant burden of dental carries in our population. The Correlation between poor dietary habits and Dental caries was established through Chi square test. A statistically significant correlation (p&lt;0.05) was noted among Dental caries and high sugary intake. No significant relation was observed among other variables and Dental Caries. Conclusions: Unsatisfactory Oral health status and poor food habits among school- aged youngsters. It calls for urgent action to improve oral health status and promote healthier dietary choices, seeking to minimize tooth decay frequency while improving general dental hygiene.