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Morbidity Pattern among Under-five Children of Market Women in Ibadan
Abstract
Background: The study was carried out in two large markets in Ibadan, namely: Bodija, a predominantly food market with poor environmental sanitation, and Gbagi, a textile market with a cleaner environment.
Objectives: To compare the morbidity patterns among under-five children of traders in both markets.
Design: A cross sectional study design was utilized.
Patients and Participants: Mothers with under-five children in the two markets.
Method: A structured questionnaire was administered to mothers of under-five children in both markets to obtain information about immunization and childhood illnesses among their children. A physical examination was also carried out on each index child.
Results: A total of 232 and 219 children were seen in Bodija and Gbagi markets, respectively. Mothers in Gbagi had higher educational attainment than those in Bodija. Mothers' reports of fever, cough and diarrhoea affecting their children indicated a similarity in the prevalence of these symptoms among children in both markets. However, physical examination revealed that the children in Bodija had more signs of morbidity compared to those in Gbagi. The prevalences of anaemia, malaria parasitaemia and ascariasis were 28 percent, 20 percent and eight percent in Bodija, while the corresponding figures for Gbagi were eight percent, 17 percent and two percent (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Low educational status and poor environmental sanitation may put children at risk of childhood diseases. Improvement of environmental sanitation in large markets such as Bodija should improve the health of the traders, and the public, and also reduce morbidity due to childhood illnesses among the children of the traders.
Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics Vol.30(4) 2003: 135-139
Objectives: To compare the morbidity patterns among under-five children of traders in both markets.
Design: A cross sectional study design was utilized.
Patients and Participants: Mothers with under-five children in the two markets.
Method: A structured questionnaire was administered to mothers of under-five children in both markets to obtain information about immunization and childhood illnesses among their children. A physical examination was also carried out on each index child.
Results: A total of 232 and 219 children were seen in Bodija and Gbagi markets, respectively. Mothers in Gbagi had higher educational attainment than those in Bodija. Mothers' reports of fever, cough and diarrhoea affecting their children indicated a similarity in the prevalence of these symptoms among children in both markets. However, physical examination revealed that the children in Bodija had more signs of morbidity compared to those in Gbagi. The prevalences of anaemia, malaria parasitaemia and ascariasis were 28 percent, 20 percent and eight percent in Bodija, while the corresponding figures for Gbagi were eight percent, 17 percent and two percent (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Low educational status and poor environmental sanitation may put children at risk of childhood diseases. Improvement of environmental sanitation in large markets such as Bodija should improve the health of the traders, and the public, and also reduce morbidity due to childhood illnesses among the children of the traders.
Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics Vol.30(4) 2003: 135-139
