Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Iyanam Victory Edet; Jombo Henry Effiong; Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong; Idung Alphonsus Udoh; Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel; Udoh Sunday Bassey

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Iyanam Victory Edet, Jombo Henry Effiong, Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong, Idung Alphonsus Udoh, Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, Udoh Sunday Bassey

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 3)

Received: 24 June 2023 Accepted: 17 July 2023 Published: 17 August 2023

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Abstract

Background: Despite the improvement and innovation in maternal and child health care services globally, and several legislations against harmful practices on children, the use of harmful traditional practices on children with the attendant child morbidity is still a common place especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the spectrum and pattern of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children especially under five years old children, among mothers in rural Southern Nigerian Community. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional community wide study involving 237 consenting women of child-bearing age (15-49years) at EkpeneObom Community in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria between May and July 2022. They were selected through house to house contacts with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, harmful traditional practices and rationale for the practices. Results: Their age ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 32.41+ 8.50 years. Results show that most of the women, 37.55%, belonged to middle reproductive age, 30-39 years. More than half of them, 56.54% had secondary education while most of the respondents, 56.12%, were of lower monthly income. Among the harmful traditional practices identified, the use of enema with unorthodox substances was the most prevalent practice, 86.65%, followed by use of palm kernel seed oil (Manyanga) on a febrile child, 73.42%. Of the reasons given for the practices, 70.04% admitted that the practices were based on their age long tradition. Statistical analysis showed that most of the mothers who engaged in the practices were of higher age, married, of lower educational status, had lower monthly income. There was significant statistical association between sociodemographic variables and some harmful practices including parity and use of enema (p=0.024), employment status and use of palm kernel oil (p=0.0001) as well as income level and ear piercing (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The study revealed unacceptably high prevalence and wide spectrum of harmful traditional practices used on children in rural setting. These practices have the tendency to endanger the health of the affected children either acutely or chronically. It calls for health education and a more committed and concentrated campaign against these practices. The importance of making conventional medicine accessible to rural population through functional and workable primary health care system cannot be overemphasized.

Published in	World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
Page(s)	214-219
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Harmful Traditional Practices, Mothers, Rural Areas, Sub-Saharan Africa

References

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[4]	Gebrekirstos K, Fantalun A, Buraha G. Magnitude and reasons for harmful traditional practices among children less than five years of age in Axum town, North Ethiopia. Hindawi J Pediatrics 2014. Article ID 169 795.
[5]	Ojua TA, Ishor DG, Ndom PH. Africancultural practices and health implications for Nigerian rural development. Int Rev Mgt Bus Resch 2013; 2 (1): 176-183.
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[10]	United Nations. Office of the special representation of the secretary general on violence against children. Protecting children from harmful practices in plural legal systems with special emphasis on Africa Avaialble@: https://viotenceagainstchildren.org.Accessed on:12/1/2023.
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[16]	United Nations. Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing for all at all ages. Available@: Nigeria: Un.org/en/sdg.Accessed On: 27/4/23.
[17]	Al-Sagarat AY, Al-Kharabasheh A. Traditional practices adoptedby Jordanian Mother when Caring for their infants in rural areas. Afr J Trad Complement Altern Med 2016; 14 (1): 1-9.
[18]	Chahal D, Kumar R. Harmful practices affecting child rights across cultures: reflections over Asian and African Countries. Edu Quest: Int J Edu Applied SocScs 2022; 13 (1): 57-61.
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Iyanam Victory Edet, Jombo Henry Effiong, Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong, Idung Alphonsus Udoh, Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. (2023). Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 214-219. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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ACS Style

Iyanam Victory Edet; Jombo Henry Effiong; Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong; Idung Alphonsus Udoh; Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(3), 214-219. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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AMA Style

Iyanam Victory Edet, Jombo Henry Effiong, Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong, Idung Alphonsus Udoh, Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World J Public Health. 2023;8(3):214-219. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14,
  author = {Iyanam Victory Edet and Jombo Henry Effiong and Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong and Idung Alphonsus Udoh and Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel and Udoh Sunday Bassey},
  title = {Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {214-219},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230803.14},
  abstract = {Background: Despite the improvement and innovation in maternal and child health care services globally, and several legislations against harmful practices on children, the use of harmful traditional practices on children with the attendant child morbidity is still a common place especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the spectrum and pattern of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children especially under five years old children, among mothers in rural Southern Nigerian Community. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional community wide study involving 237 consenting women of child-bearing age (15-49years) at EkpeneObom Community in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria between May and July 2022. They were selected through house to house contacts with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, harmful traditional practices and rationale for the practices. Results: Their age ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 32.41+ 8.50 years. Results show that most of the women, 37.55%, belonged to middle reproductive age, 30-39 years. More than half of them, 56.54% had secondary education while most of the respondents, 56.12%, were of lower monthly income. Among the harmful traditional practices identified, the use of enema with unorthodox substances was the most prevalent practice, 86.65%, followed by use of palm kernel seed oil (Manyanga) on a febrile child, 73.42%. Of the reasons given for the practices, 70.04% admitted that the practices were based on their age long tradition. Statistical analysis showed that most of the mothers who engaged in the practices were of higher age, married, of lower educational status, had lower monthly income. There was significant statistical association between sociodemographic variables and some harmful practices including parity and use of enema (p=0.024), employment status and use of palm kernel oil (p=0.0001) as well as income level and ear piercing (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The study revealed unacceptably high prevalence and wide spectrum of harmful traditional practices used on children in rural setting. These practices have the tendency to endanger the health of the affected children either acutely or chronically. It calls for health education and a more committed and concentrated campaign against these practices. The importance of making conventional medicine accessible to rural population through functional and workable primary health care system cannot be overemphasized.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
AU  - Iyanam Victory Edet
AU  - Jombo Henry Effiong
AU  - Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong
AU  - Idung Alphonsus Udoh
AU  - Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel
AU  - Udoh Sunday Bassey
Y1  - 2023/08/17
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 214
EP  - 219
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
AB  - Background: Despite the improvement and innovation in maternal and child health care services globally, and several legislations against harmful practices on children, the use of harmful traditional practices on children with the attendant child morbidity is still a common place especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the spectrum and pattern of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children especially under five years old children, among mothers in rural Southern Nigerian Community. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional community wide study involving 237 consenting women of child-bearing age (15-49years) at EkpeneObom Community in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria between May and July 2022. They were selected through house to house contacts with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, harmful traditional practices and rationale for the practices. Results: Their age ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 32.41+ 8.50 years. Results show that most of the women, 37.55%, belonged to middle reproductive age, 30-39 years. More than half of them, 56.54% had secondary education while most of the respondents, 56.12%, were of lower monthly income. Among the harmful traditional practices identified, the use of enema with unorthodox substances was the most prevalent practice, 86.65%, followed by use of palm kernel seed oil (Manyanga) on a febrile child, 73.42%. Of the reasons given for the practices, 70.04% admitted that the practices were based on their age long tradition. Statistical analysis showed that most of the mothers who engaged in the practices were of higher age, married, of lower educational status, had lower monthly income. There was significant statistical association between sociodemographic variables and some harmful practices including parity and use of enema (p=0.024), employment status and use of palm kernel oil (p=0.0001) as well as income level and ear piercing (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The study revealed unacceptably high prevalence and wide spectrum of harmful traditional practices used on children in rural setting. These practices have the tendency to endanger the health of the affected children either acutely or chronically. It calls for health education and a more committed and concentrated campaign against these practices. The importance of making conventional medicine accessible to rural population through functional and workable primary health care system cannot be overemphasized.
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Iyanam Victory Edet

Departments of Family Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Jombo Henry Effiong

Departments of Mental Health, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong

Departments of Paediatrics, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Idung Alphonsus Udoh

Departments of Family Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel

Departments of Family Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Udoh Sunday Bassey

Departments of Family Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

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APA Style

Iyanam Victory Edet, Jombo Henry Effiong, Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong, Idung Alphonsus Udoh, Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. (2023). Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 214-219. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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ACS Style

Iyanam Victory Edet; Jombo Henry Effiong; Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong; Idung Alphonsus Udoh; Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(3), 214-219. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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AMA Style

Iyanam Victory Edet, Jombo Henry Effiong, Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong, Idung Alphonsus Udoh, Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel, et al. Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. World J Public Health. 2023;8(3):214-219. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14,
  author = {Iyanam Victory Edet and Jombo Henry Effiong and Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong and Idung Alphonsus Udoh and Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel and Udoh Sunday Bassey},
  title = {Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {214-219},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230803.14},
  abstract = {Background: Despite the improvement and innovation in maternal and child health care services globally, and several legislations against harmful practices on children, the use of harmful traditional practices on children with the attendant child morbidity is still a common place especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the spectrum and pattern of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children especially under five years old children, among mothers in rural Southern Nigerian Community. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional community wide study involving 237 consenting women of child-bearing age (15-49years) at EkpeneObom Community in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria between May and July 2022. They were selected through house to house contacts with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, harmful traditional practices and rationale for the practices. Results: Their age ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 32.41+ 8.50 years. Results show that most of the women, 37.55%, belonged to middle reproductive age, 30-39 years. More than half of them, 56.54% had secondary education while most of the respondents, 56.12%, were of lower monthly income. Among the harmful traditional practices identified, the use of enema with unorthodox substances was the most prevalent practice, 86.65%, followed by use of palm kernel seed oil (Manyanga) on a febrile child, 73.42%. Of the reasons given for the practices, 70.04% admitted that the practices were based on their age long tradition. Statistical analysis showed that most of the mothers who engaged in the practices were of higher age, married, of lower educational status, had lower monthly income. There was significant statistical association between sociodemographic variables and some harmful practices including parity and use of enema (p=0.024), employment status and use of palm kernel oil (p=0.0001) as well as income level and ear piercing (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The study revealed unacceptably high prevalence and wide spectrum of harmful traditional practices used on children in rural setting. These practices have the tendency to endanger the health of the affected children either acutely or chronically. It calls for health education and a more committed and concentrated campaign against these practices. The importance of making conventional medicine accessible to rural population through functional and workable primary health care system cannot be overemphasized.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Spectrum and Pattern of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Children Among Mothers in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
AU  - Iyanam Victory Edet
AU  - Jombo Henry Effiong
AU  - Bassey Eno-Obong Udomobong
AU  - Idung Alphonsus Udoh
AU  - Akinbami Oluyinka Samuel
AU  - Udoh Sunday Bassey
Y1  - 2023/08/17
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 214
EP  - 219
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230803.14
AB  - Background: Despite the improvement and innovation in maternal and child health care services globally, and several legislations against harmful practices on children, the use of harmful traditional practices on children with the attendant child morbidity is still a common place especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the spectrum and pattern of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children especially under five years old children, among mothers in rural Southern Nigerian Community. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional community wide study involving 237 consenting women of child-bearing age (15-49years) at EkpeneObom Community in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria between May and July 2022. They were selected through house to house contacts with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, harmful traditional practices and rationale for the practices. Results: Their age ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 32.41+ 8.50 years. Results show that most of the women, 37.55%, belonged to middle reproductive age, 30-39 years. More than half of them, 56.54% had secondary education while most of the respondents, 56.12%, were of lower monthly income. Among the harmful traditional practices identified, the use of enema with unorthodox substances was the most prevalent practice, 86.65%, followed by use of palm kernel seed oil (Manyanga) on a febrile child, 73.42%. Of the reasons given for the practices, 70.04% admitted that the practices were based on their age long tradition. Statistical analysis showed that most of the mothers who engaged in the practices were of higher age, married, of lower educational status, had lower monthly income. There was significant statistical association between sociodemographic variables and some harmful practices including parity and use of enema (p=0.024), employment status and use of palm kernel oil (p=0.0001) as well as income level and ear piercing (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The study revealed unacceptably high prevalence and wide spectrum of harmful traditional practices used on children in rural setting. These practices have the tendency to endanger the health of the affected children either acutely or chronically. It calls for health education and a more committed and concentrated campaign against these practices. The importance of making conventional medicine accessible to rural population through functional and workable primary health care system cannot be overemphasized.
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
ER  -

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