Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Healthcare

Parental Food Beliefs on Pre-School-Aged Children in Kaski District of Nepal: A Qualitative Review

2021-01-21T10:00:54+0530

Background: This study explores food beliefs among poor mothers related to feeding their offspring. Mothers’ misconception of a healthy diet is one of the major causes of nutritional problems in preschool-aged children in Nepal and these beliefs and attitudes can result in the inappropriate feeding of young children.

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were:
• identify major barriers for recommending healthy food that are associated with existing cultures, religions and ethnic divisions;
• assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about nutritious food amongst mothers;
• assess health-seeking behaviour for children of low socio-economic status.

Methods: Study used a qualitative focus group discussion. Fifty participants took part in seven focus groups to explore their food beliefs. The qualitative focus groups aimed to collect in-depth information around food beliefs and data were thematically analysed.

Results: The study identified six key themes: (a) poverty; (b) knowledge; (c) policy; (d) beliefs about breastfeeding; (e) food beliefs: and (f) health-seeking behaviours/cultural influences. Many participants thought that illiterate and underserved populations are generally exposed due to financial scarcity, poor knowledge and strongly rooted in cultural practices, and beliefs. This study found ‘diversified views’ as a major barrier to food and health-seeking behaviours. Some groups recognised the negative effects of existing beliefs and taboos. However, the spiritual healers highlighted the importance of linking beliefs with cultural and religious norms and values. They showed the complex relationships between food and health-seeking behaviours and food recommendations with financial status and the perceived cultural practices of society.

Conclusions: This study suggests that a public health approach is needed to address nutrition problems associated with behaviour and revealed major barriers which were associated with poverty, resources, and mothers’ education level.

Public Information Systems and Alternative Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer in India

2020-12-21T15:19:31+0530

Background: Early detection can decrease incidences of mortality related to cancer in India. Primary tests at detection centres (generally established in urban areas and mobile facilities), need to be followed by specialized cancer centric tests. This leaves a gap for discontinuation of diagnostic process. Other factors like the prevalence of Complimentary and Alternate medicine systems (CAM), availability of mainstream healthcare services, cultural and social beliefs need to be understood for new formats for diagnosis and treatment to be devised for minimizing delay in cancer diagnosis.

Objective: This study was conducted in order:
i. To understand role of various extrinsic factors in the development of cancer diagnostics and reason for adoption of CAM treatment strategies. And,
ii. To develop a holistic understanding of these factors and their role in influencing delay in diagnosis of cancer in the Indian population.

Methods: Through comprehensive analysis from a systems point of view, problems with systemic, economical, technological and socio-cultural factors emerged as reasons for slow development in the fight against cancer. Existing diagnostic and awareness dissemination networks are also analyzed for their strengths and weaknesses. Case studies on problems in early detection of cancer have pinned cognitive barriers like attitude, social practices and information to be the primary cause for low detection rates and high mortality. Interestingly, many studies point at “people’s attitude towards the disease” as a major bottleneck in adoption of mainstream medicine treatment.

Results: This paper presents a review of multiple studies about factors influencing cancer diagnostics and treatment in India. Incorporating these factors, some postulates of a nascent model for development and recalibration of cancer diagnostic network are proposed. Cancer diagnostics involves tackling preconceived notions about cancer, challenging established sociocultural systems and reshaping social practices and people’s lifestyle. Public outreach programs (like camps, community events, ASHA workers and celebrity brand ambassadors) can be effective in changing attitudes in rural areas.

Conclusions: CAM therapies are a group of traditional and modern medical practices that offer a pantheon of opportunities, however they can be dangerous to patients’ health if not used wisely. We support the suggestions made by other authors that an approach in integrative oncology may be effective for utilizing best of mainstream and complementary cancer treatment practices.

Feeding habits, Overweight, Obesity and Hypertension and Associated Factors among Polytechnic Students in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

2021-01-30T09:48:00+0530

Overweight and obesity is a risk factor to chronic non-communicable diseases. This study assessed level of overweight/obesity and blood pressure among students of a higher institution in Southwest Nigeria. This cross-section study involved 300 students of a public higher institution in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, feeding pattern and lifestyle of the students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized into normal weight (BMI<25) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25). Waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were classified as normal and at risk. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Chi square test was used to establish relationship between variables at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the students was 22.25 years and 62.8% were above 20years. Monthly allowance
less than ₦30000.00 was received by 64.4% of the students, 47.3% skipped breakfast meal, 96% consumed carbonated soft drinks and 37.1% did not engaged in physical exercise. Prevalence of general obesity was 17.1% (BMI≥25); 7% and 15.5% were at risk of abdominal and central obesity respectively. Students in systolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension were 33.3% and 3% respectively whereas 15.5% and 2.4% were in diastolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension respectively. Female gender, monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 and adolescent stage were associated with obesity. Older age, male gender and monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 were associated with BP. Nutrition education is recommended for this population group.

Eye and the COVID-19

2021-05-06T00:47:05+0530

Unusual appearances of COVID-19 (2019 novel corona virus) infected persons. The early epicenter of the pandemic, Wuhan, China has obtained medical and scientific information and knowledge in response to the infection of COVID-19. On thirteen case series and nine case-based reports, I want to put five significant facts of ophthalmic indicators of COVID-19 infected persons, hopefully, to deliver the fresh view as well as a wider perspective of COVID-19 infection.