BackgroundThe practice of exclusive breastfeeding is still low despite the associated benefits. Improving the uptake and appropriating the benefits will require an understanding of breastfeeding as an embodied experience within a social context. This study investigates breastfeeding practices and experiences of nursing mothers and the roles of grandmothers, as well as the work-related constraints affecting nurses in providing quality support for breastfeeding mothers in Southwest Nigeria.MethodsUsing a concurrent mixed method approach, a structured questionnaire was administered to 200 breastfeeding mothers. In-depth interviews were also held with breastfeeding mothers (11), nurses (10) and a focus group discussion session with grandmothers.ResultsBreastfeeding was perceived as essential to baby's health. It strengthens the physical and spiritual bond between mothers and their children. Exclusive breastfeeding was considered essential but demanding. Only a small proportion (19%) of the nursing mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The survey showed the major constraints to exclusive breastfeeding to be: the perception that babies continued to be hungry after breastfeeding (29%); maternal health problems (26%); fear of babies becoming addicted to breast milk (26%); pressure from mother-in-law (25%); pains in the breast (25%); and the need to return to work (24%). In addition, the qualitative findings showed that significant others played dual roles with consequences on breastfeeding practices. The desire to practice exclusive breastfeeding was often compromised shortly after child delivery. Poor feeding, inadequate support from husband and conflicting positions from the significant others were dominant constraints. The nurses decried the effects of their workload on providing quality supports for nursing mothers.ConclusionBreastfeeding mothers are faced with multiple challenges as they strive to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Thus, scaling up of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers requires concerted efforts at the macro, meso and micro levels of the Nigerian society.

Menstrual disorder is a common health problem among females in their reproductive years. It has psychosocial effects on the sufferer and her interactions with others during such periods. In Nigeria, menstrual disorder has received little research attention especially in the public health agenda. This study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches in investigating the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia and their psychosocial effects by focusing on the daily activities of female undergraduates at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 415 female undergraduates at the University. A snowball sampling technique was used in selecting 37 informants for the in-depth interviews. Results showed a high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea (64%) among respondents within 3 months prior to this study. Dysmenorrhoea was significant among female students who reported dizziness, headache, depression and irritation; and those whose menstrual disorder ever called for medical attention (P<0.05). Similarly, menorrhagia was less frequent (21%) than dysmenorrhoea (64%), but occurred more significantly with dizziness, headache and depression, and those whose menstrual disorderliness ever called for medical attention or even surgical intervention (P<0.05). Menstrual disorder was experienced as an objective and subjective reality among those interviewed. Both dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia were significant predictors of psychosocial relationship of the female students (P<0.05). Those with dysmenorrhoea reported one and a half times of depression than those without. However, menorrhagia appeared as the principal factor affecting their daily school activities and relationship with colleagues. Menstrual disorders prevalence is high among young undergraduates and appropriate enlightenment and treatment should be made available to young females.

Based on a cross-sectional design, this study investigates online health seeking and its possible influence on decision making among 400 university undergraduates in Nigeria. From the results, it was found that daily Internet use was on the average (33.7%), and use was constrained by the poor power supply, the high cost of the Internet access, and poor delivery of services. Health information sought covers nutrition, fitness/exercise, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sore throat, mental health, menstrual pain, and sexual/reproductive health. The majority (72.7%) who perceived available health information as accurate and dependable had an opportunity to seek similar information on their health conditions from different online sources. A high proportion (202) claimed that they consulted a physician after that, just a few (54) of the respondents consulted a traditional healer, and a few others relied on self-medication (10%) or asked friends for suggestions (11%). Thus, there is a need to provide reliable Internet connection and enlighten the Nigerian youth on criteria for assessing quality online health information.

No abstract