Methods of Breast Feeding as Determinants of Malaria Infections among Babies in IMO State, Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Dental Research - Year 2019, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
A survey on the methods of breast feeding as a determinant of malaria among breast fed babies was conducted between February and October, 2017 in Owerri Municipality in Imo State. A total of 400 babies between the ages of 0-2 years with their mothers were randomly selected from households and participated in the exercise. A well-structured questionnaire was used to source information from the mothers on their method of child breastfeeding and other demographic data. Blood samples were collected from the infants through finger pricking and were examined using the gold standard method of Giemsa stain of thin and thick film under X100 objective lens. Out of 400 infants encountered 123(30.75%) were exclusively breastfed and of these number, 15(12.20%) were positive of malaria parasite. Out of 277(69.25%) infants who were not exclusively breastfed, 111(40.07%) had malaria infection. Age range related malaria prevalence result among exclusively breastfed babies revealed that infection was higher among the age range of 19-24 months,(27.33%) and (62.86%) among the non-exclusively breastfed babies of the same age range while the least infected group were those of age range,0-6 months4.76% and19.39% respectively for both groups. Gender related prevalence result showed that males had the highest prevalence of malaria in both exclusively and nonexclusively breastfed babies, with 15.38% and 42.52%infection respectively. Statistically, infections were dependent on the methods of breast feeding and age range,(p<0.05)and independent on gender,(p<0.05). Low malaria prevalence observed among the exclusively breastfed babies coupled with other benefits makes exclusive breast feeding beneficial to mothers, babies and the society. Public health education and enlightenment campaign on exclusive breastfeeding should be highly promoted among child bearing mothers at the grass root level to create more awareness on its usefulness.
Authors and Affiliations
Ogomaka, I. A, Obeagu E. I
Keywords
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