Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the initiative practice for health

To achieve awareness of the initiative practice for health concept in the Chinese population,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)doctors should popularize TCM culture and knowledge among young people,people with a low level of education,in low-income populations,and in rural populations.

Awareness of initiative practice for health in the Chinese population:A questionnaire survey based on a network platform

BACKGROUND In 2016,the Chinese government issued the Healthy China 2030 plan,which also produced the initiative practice for health(IPFH)concept.However,people’s knowledge and awareness of the IPFH are unclear.AIM To investigate awareness of IPFH in the Chinese population and explore the relevant influential factors.METHODS An internet-based self-designed questionnaire survey was used to collect respondents’demographic characteristics and awareness of health and the IPFH from March 26 to April 18,2020.IPFH consciousness was assessed by the scores for different related questions.The Student’s t test,the Chi-square test,and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the differences and influencing factors.RESULTS A total of 2678 valid questionnaires were collected.Of the respondents,973(36.3%)had heard of the IPFH concept.In addition,89.5% of participants agreed with the view that the IPFH is beneficial to improving quality of life,and over half thought that a regular schedule,a reasonable diet,tobacco and alcohol control,a cheerful mood,specific life goals and plans,taking the initiative to accept health-related education and implement health knowledge,good interpersonal relationships,and regular physical examinations were closely related to the IPFH.The majority of respondents paid attention to their health and usually obtained health-related knowledge via social media and were also willing to promote the IPFH.Most of the participants underestimated the role of hospitals,family doctors,and health managers in promoting the IPFH.Age,monthly income,and medical-related work experience were the influencing factors for IPFH awareness.CONCLUSION The Chinese population has limited knowledge of the IPFH.People with strong IPFH awareness are older,earn more,and have medical-related work experience.

First Hour Initiation of Breast Feeding &Associated Factors, among Mothers at Post Natal Ward in Fort Portal Referral Hospital, Uganda

Background: Breast milk is recommended as the best feeding option to neonates and infants for it confers immunological benefits that help to reduce neonatal and infant morbidities and mortalities. WHO recommends that all infants should start breast feeding within one hour of birth i.e. early initiation of breast feeding (EIBF). Unfortunately, studies show that less than 40% of infants in resource limited settings Uganda inclusive are initiated on breast feeding practice, with no documented study done in Kabarole district to assess the problem. This study therefore, set out to establish the prevalence and associated factors with the practice of first hour initiation of breast feeding at Fort Portal Regional Hospital, Kabarole district, Uganda. Methods: With a cross-sectional design, we collected data from 330 post natal mothers and their live-born infants at Fort Portal Regional Referral hospital from 5th-20th August 2019. With a standard interviewer administered tool, mothers who initiated breast feeding within the first hour after delivery of their newly born babies responded with yes and those that did not with a no. Prevalence of one hour initiation was got considering infants that were initiated on breast within one hour over the total live birth times 100 to get the percent prevalence. With Stata version 13 software, statistically significant relationships of the predisposing factors were determined at a p-value (p ≤ 0.05) at bivariate and at multivariate regression coefficient. Results: A total of 330 postnatal mothers targeted for this study, 100% response rate was covered. Mothers’ age ranged from 18 - 45 years with mean age 31 SD ± 6. The prevalence of initiation of breast feeding in the first hour of birth was 68%, a third of (32%) mothers had not initiated breast feeding in the first hour. A half (50%) of the direct predisposing factors for non-initiation of timely breastfeeding were due to birth asphyxia, almost a quarter 23% due to mother’s ill health and 7% due mother not being guided by the health worker on what to do. In this study mothers’ knowledge and awareness of the practice were very low at 20% while that of health workers was fair at 53%. Social demographic factors that influence 1st hour breast feeding practice were;young maternal age being less than 34 years, mothers occupation being self-employed (83%) or unemployed (73%) with 3 times higher odds of initiating breastfeeding within 1st (OR = 3, p = 0.003) than working class mothers (civil servants). Marital status of mothers being married (73%) significantly influenced early breastfeeding practice (p = 0.001). Health workers’ knowledge of the practice was significantly associated (OR = 2.7, X2 = 11.32, *p = 0.00078) with enforcement of mother initiation of breast feeding in first hour compared to the less knowledgeable ones. Conclusion: The practice of timely initiation of breastfeeding at Fort Portal Regional Referral hospital at 68.2% was sub-optimal against WHO universal practice recommendations. Mothers’ low knowledge on timely initiation of breast feeding practice was the most deterrent factor for first hour initiation of breastfeeding practice. Providing breastfeeding counselling to all mothers during ANC and training on best breastfeeding practices and counselling skills for health staff at Fort Portal Referral hospital are urgent recommendation in this study to improve the practice.