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Dec 2025
Gebretsadik Bereka SolomonCorresponding author
Background Fast food consumption is the major cause of obesity and overweight in worldwide affecting more than 2 billion people, especially developing countries and low income countries. It can lead to hyperinsulinemia and development of insulin resistance, high energy density, high glycemic index, and fatty acid composition of fast foods may increase the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors Objectives The main aim of this study was, to assess fast food consumption and its association with overweight /obesity among undergraduate students of University Hargeisa, Somaliland, 2023. Methods The study was carried out from May 01 to July 20, 2023 at University of Hargeisa using an institutional based cross-sectional study design to among 260 students. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was prepared based on review literatures and dig out from related studies. The anthropometric data was taken by data collectors to measure weight and height using a stadiometer. Data was entered and checked for errors using EPI-info version 7.1.5.0 and then, data were exported to statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 21 and STATA software version 14 for data processing and analysis. Descriptive statistics such as; frequencies, means and proportion was used for present the findings. A variable with P-values of less than 0.25 in the binary logistic regression analysis was entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the independent predictors of stunting. Finally, variable at P-value less than 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression analysis was considered as a statistically significant variable. Results In this study, the majority 235 (90.4%, CI: 86.5- 93.8) of the study participants were fast food consumers. The study revealed that, from the total study participants 46(17.7%),127(48.8%),84(32.3%), 3(1.2%) were underweight, normal, overweight and obese respectively. A chi-square test revealed that there was a significant (p-value=0.058) associations between BMI and fast food consumption among students of University of Hargeisa. On multi-variable logistic regression model educational level of the students (AOR = 12.45 (95% CI: 1.7, 14.6)) and frequency of fruit (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.7, 0.8)) and vegetable consumptions (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI (0.47, 0.575)) were found to be significantly associated with fast food consumptions (p < 0.05). Conclusion In this study, of the total 90.4% number of fast food consumers. A chi-square test revealed that there was a significant (p-value=0.058) associations between BMI and fast food consumption among students of University of Hargeisa. Educational level of the students and frequency of fruit and vegetable consumptions were found to be significantly associated with fast food consumptions. Effort should be made to increase access to fast food-related information and counseling.
Jan 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-5014.jphn-23-4865
Abdullahi Dahie HassanCorresponding author
Background Breastfeeding is a vital practice for infant health and well-being, with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months being particularly crucial. Despite its benefits, EBF is sub-optimally practiced in many low-to-middle income countries. This study focuses on Somalia, a country with historical political instability and poor health indicators, aiming to identify the prevalence and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among women with infants under six months attending SOS Mother and Child Hospital in Mogadishu. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 345 mothers, selected using a systematic sampling technique. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess breastfeeding practices and determine factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding prevalence. Result The study found that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among the study population in Somalia was 44%, influenced by factors such as maternal education, employment, and utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services. Male infants and younger infants had higher odds of being exclusively breastfed. Conclusion and recommendations The study emphasizes the importance of promoting exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal feeding practice for infants in Somalia, highlighting the need for comprehensive health education during antenatal care visits and postnatal counseling. It recommends the development of supportive policies, such as maternity leave and workplace accommodations, along with community-based initiatives and support groups to facilitate and encourage exclusive breastfeeding practices.
Nov 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-23-4766
G. Ong EmilyCorresponding author
This study explored concerns and unsolicited advice relating to miscarriage shared on multiple social media platforms for mentions of questions, advocacy, medical advice, conflicts of interest, and terminology used to describe miscarriage. Public social media posts in English from January 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2021 were searched using keywords related to miscarriage. A dataset of questions, advice, conflicts of interest, and terminology used was created from eligible posts determined by inclusionary and exclusionary criteria. The dataset was analyzed to identify themes and calculate statistics. Approximately 1000 posts were reviewed and 149 posts were found eligible for analysis. Of the total, 116 posts included advice and a subset of 71 posts offered questions. A total of 152 mentions of advice were identified from the total eligible posts with 82.9% of advice related to advocacy for destigmatizing miscarriage, enhancing community support, or expressing grief. 17.1% of posts offered medical advice eligible for evaluation of which 73% were accurate across all platforms. From the dataset, 103 questions were analyzed for common themes. The four most common themes of questions included grief, self-blame, quality of post-miscarriage counseling in different care settings, and inadequate medical counseling. This study indicates that women who experience miscarriage have many unanswered questions and powerful feelings relating to grief and self-blame that could have long-term impacts. Social media has become a place for women to self-advocate and connect with others for support, from which clinicians could increase their understanding of women’s unmet needs.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2640-690X.jfm-19-2767
Venkateshwari AnanthapurCorresponding author
Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Recurrent pregnancy loss is an important reproductive issue with a heterogeneous etiology where two or more consecutive abortions occur before 20 weeks of gestation. Approximately 15% of all clinically recognized pregnancies result in miscarriage with an incidence of 1 in 300 cases. Couples, who experience repeated pregnancy loss before three months of gestation, mostly have fetuses with chromosomal aneuploids. A non-consanguineous couple with a married life of 4 years was referred to the Institute with a clinical history of three first trimester abortions. Karyotype analysis revealed a balanced autosomal translocation between chromosomes 4 and 6 with 46, XX, t (4;6)(q35; q22) karyotype in the female and normal 46, XY in the male partner. Therefore, the siblings and the couple were suggested for extended genetic counseling. Interestingly, similar translocation was seen in her father and three sisters, whereas her mother and elder sister showed a normal chromosomal constitution, indicating the paternal inheritance.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-18-2202
AA OkechukwuCorresponding author
Department of Pediatrics, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
Background: Ideally, disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents should involve both health care workers and parents/caregivers. Most studies on disclosure in children have focus mainly on parents/caregivers with little information on health care workers. We conduct this study to evaluate the practice, perception of the healthcare workers in our health facility on disclosure to infected children and adolescents. It is envisaged that such information will help in the design of better strategies on disclosure in our environment. Methods: A cross sectional hospital based study was conducted among health care workers at the special treatment clinic, and heart to heart unit of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada from January to March 2017 for the above objective. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on disclosure among the healthcare workers, which include among others: their bio-data, knowledge, perception, and practice on disclosure in the two service areas of the hospital. Results: Of the 80 health care workers interviewed, 60(75.0%) were females, 11(13.8%) were doctors, 9(11.3%) nurses, 17(21.3%) monitoring/evaluation/record clerks, and 16(20.0%) were either voluntary counseling and testing counselors or adherence counselors. Their mean age and duration in service in the two areas were 39.70±7.10 and 7.93±4.99 years respectively. Over half 48(60.0%) of the health care workers were unaware of the hospital having guideline on disclosure, 64(80.0%) have not been trained, and 68(85.0%) does not know any key information on disclosure. While all 80(100%) felt that disclosure was a good practice for better adherence, only 16(20.0%) had actually disclosed, with 6(37.5%) not seeking any formal permission from parent/caregivers before disclosing. Ages 8-16 years was recommended by 60(75%) as the appropriate age to disclose, however 28(35.0%) recommended age 14-16 years. Over half of the respondents 58(72.5%) admitted that disclosure should be a shared responsibility between themselves and the caregivers, most however perceive their role as only preparing the parents/caregivers for disclosure, and providing ongoing counseling to both the parents/caregivers and the children and adolescents. Lack of training on disclosure, and none availability of guideline in the health institution were major setback on the ability of the healthcare providers to fully participate in disclosure process. Conclusion: While healthcare providers support the idea of disclosing at mid and late adolescent, their perceived role was that of support and provision of ongoing counseling. Lack of training and none availability of disclosure guideline affects their perceived role. There is need to train and retrain healthcare workers on disclosure guideline, and making such guideline available in the health facilities.