Prevalence of Non-Nutritive Sucking Habits and Potential Influencing Factors among Children in Urban Communities in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of non-nutritive sucking materials like pacifiers and fingers poses health challenges to children in resource-limited settings, where hygiene practices and provision of clean water are poor. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and its association with acute diarrhea in children aged 6–23 months in urban communities of Nigeria.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 12 communities from 4 out of 12 geopolitical wards in Ibadan North Local Government Area and 427 mothers of children aged 6–24 months were randomly selected. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, recent history of diarrhea (3 months prior to visit) and use of non-nutritive sucking materials. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and logistic regression were used for data analysis at p = 0.05.ResultsMean age of the children was 13.9 ± 5.3 months and 50.6% were males. Prevalence of non-nutritive sucking was 45.2%. Prevalence of non-nutritive sucking was not significantly different between males (45.8%) and females (44.5%). The odds ratio of engaging in non-nutritive sucking increases by 6.0% with increasing age (OR = 1.06; 1.02; 1.10). More children who were not exclusively breastfed (53.5%) than exclusively breastfed (26.2%) were likely to engage in non-nutritive sucking (OR = 3.25; 95% CI = 2.07, 5.12). Acute diarrhea was more frequently reported in non-nutritive sucking group than the other (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.03, 2.22).ConclusionNon-nutritive sucking was linked with failure to practice exclusive breastfeeding, worse with increasing age, and predisposes to acute diarrhea. Further studies are necessary to verify the nature of these associations.

Pacifiers, Thumb Sucking, Breastfeeding, and Bottle Use: Oral Sucking Habits of Children with and without Phonological Impairment

“…For instance, pacifier use has been associated with accelerated maturation of oral sucking in preterm infants [3, 4], reduction in infants’ pain during medical procedures [5], reduction in a child’s risk of developing allergies [6], and a reduction in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome) [7]; however, evidence from randomised controlled trials is lacking to unequivocally support or refute the effect of use of pacifiers for risk of sudden infant death syndrome [8]. By contrast, pacifier use during infancy has been associated with increased occurrence of gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, and oral candida [9, 10], an increased risk of ear infections and malocclusion [11-13], a case of bowel obstruction [14], poorer emotional competence in boys and young adult males [15], and shorter duration of breastfeeding [16]; however, other research has not supported this latter association [17]. …”

Frequency and Predictors of Pacifier Use in the Low Socioeconomic Group of Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The cognate prevalence can be attributed to the study site as both countries are neighbors in South Asia with fairly similar social and cultural norms. The overall prevalence of pacifier use in an investigation in Spain was 72.46%, whereas Nigeria, one of the poorest countries in the world, had a much lower usage of 12.6% attributed to unattainability as a result of cost [ 20 , 21 ]. In Australia, 79% of the first-time mothers had introduced pacifiers to their children mostly on the advice of their mother or mother-in-law, friends, other family members, husband or partner, and to a lesser extent by medical and other health professionals [ 9 ].…”

Knowledge of Non-nutritive Digit Sucking Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in Ilorin, Nigeria

“…[3,6,9] Orimadegun and Obokon in southwest Nigeria reported a prevalence of 45.2% among school children. [8] A study among infants in a well-baby clinic in Enugu also reported digit sucking in 30.8% of children. [3] Kerosuo reported the prevalence of sucking habits in Tanzanian, Asian/Arab and Finnish children as l0%, 4% and 10%, respectively.…”

“…[7] It can also predispose a child to nutritional deficiencies and frequent diarrhoeal episodes from directly introducing dirt and harmful microbes into the gastrointestinal tract. [8] Some studies have been carried out to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors with digit sucking. [3,6,9] Orimadegun and Obokon in southwest Nigeria reported a prevalence of 45.2% among school children.…”