Background: In Benin, malaria represents the first cause of consultation and hospitalization (48% for children under 5 years old) in health units. It also accounts for 23.1% of deaths recorded in health facilities (Mo...Background: In Benin, malaria represents the first cause of consultation and hospitalization (48% for children under 5 years old) in health units. It also accounts for 23.1% of deaths recorded in health facilities (MoH, 2019). Between the two main components of vector control adopted by Benin government, the mass distribution campaigns of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) remained the only proven cost-effective way to rapidly achieve high and equitable coverage (WHO, 2017). After the fourth mass distribution campaign conducted in 2017, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data indicated that the percentage of children who slept under an ITN has increased from 20% in 2006 to 70% in 2011-2012 and to 76% in 2017-2018 while the incidence of malaria (tested positive) is increasing rapidly among children under 5 years old, growing from 36.5% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2012 and then to 51.4% in 2019. This study aims to understand this contrast by identifying the origin of the increase in ITN use over time among children under five years old and the factors which determine this use. Methods: Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Benin respectively in 2006 and in 20018 were used during the analysis, which covered 13,445 children under five years old from 2006 DHS and 12,255 children from 2017-2018 DHS. Firstly, the data were analyzed using decomposition method to highlight the origin of the increase of ITN use over time among children under five years old. Secondly, the chi-square test analysis estimated the association between ITN use and some characteristics (wealth index, maternal or caregiver education level and child age). Finally, the logistic regression model was used to identify the main factors, which influence the net use over the study period. Results: This study shows that the improvement of basic conditions is the main origin of behavior change in the use of ITNs among children under five years old. This improvement of the basic conditions consists of making ITNs available in households and informing household members about the benefits of ITN use. So, the free ITN distribution campaigns, routine distribution, awareness campaigns about the benefits of ITN use are the strategies, which increase the household capacities and knowledge, allowing household members to make their children sleep under net. The analysis also shows that region of residence, wealth index of household, household size, religion, and child age continue to determine the ITN use among children under age 5 years old and MNCP will integrate the factors in malaria prevention strategies in order to achieve universal use of ITNs. Conclusions: Although, sleeping under ITN behavior has indeed spread among children under 5 years old, policymakers and other stakeholders should design strategies to maintain and improve the current level of ITN use to reach the collective protection threshold (80% according to WHO). Therefore, to address the challenges of universal use of ITN, the study recommends expanding the routine distribution system to private sector health centers;discussing issues related to health service utilization (particularly ITN use) within a consultation framework at the communal level. In addition, collecting qualitative and quantitative data in the Oueme region will allow better understanding of all aspects of the ITN use gap among children under 5 years.展开更多
AN 80-year old woman, who was recovering from a bone injury, once told me that she would be traveling around the world for the rest of her life. Listening to her touching and admirable plan, I realized that the loss o...AN 80-year old woman, who was recovering from a bone injury, once told me that she would be traveling around the world for the rest of her life. Listening to her touching and admirable plan, I realized that the loss of one’s ability to do a certain thing will cultivate a longing for that particular thing. This longing was also with me the year I became 40. At that time, I frequently thought back over all l had done during the past 40 years,展开更多
Obesity is one of the most prominent problems imminent among all societies particularly in developing countries. WHO reported in the latest report that obesity was among the 5 causes of death in the world. In 2010, ab...Obesity is one of the most prominent problems imminent among all societies particularly in developing countries. WHO reported in the latest report that obesity was among the 5 causes of death in the world. In 2010, about 43 million under 5 years children were found to be overweight. At present about 35 million kids suffering from obesity live in developing countries and about 7 million overweight kids live in developed countries. Studies in Iran show that the prevalence of obesity is between 7 - 16 percent. According to this study, from 514,963 examined children (261,633 male and 253,330 female), 2.6 percent of children had severe obesity, 60 percent and 40 percent in males and females respectively. This study showed that 3.6 percent were obese, 57.5 and 42.5 in males and females respectively. Also overweight was 8.4 percent, 49.3 and 50.7 percent in males and females respectively. Overweight was found to be more common among female participants with 50.7 percent as opposed to 49.3 percent for males. However, obesity and severe obesity were found to be more common among males. Life style change is the best way to prevent obesity and also is the best way to control and treat it by increased activity and low food consumption. Because of the importance of nutrition in childhood growth and development and also the effect of childhood malnutrition on adult health, special notice to this issue is necessary.展开更多
文摘Background: In Benin, malaria represents the first cause of consultation and hospitalization (48% for children under 5 years old) in health units. It also accounts for 23.1% of deaths recorded in health facilities (MoH, 2019). Between the two main components of vector control adopted by Benin government, the mass distribution campaigns of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) remained the only proven cost-effective way to rapidly achieve high and equitable coverage (WHO, 2017). After the fourth mass distribution campaign conducted in 2017, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data indicated that the percentage of children who slept under an ITN has increased from 20% in 2006 to 70% in 2011-2012 and to 76% in 2017-2018 while the incidence of malaria (tested positive) is increasing rapidly among children under 5 years old, growing from 36.5% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2012 and then to 51.4% in 2019. This study aims to understand this contrast by identifying the origin of the increase in ITN use over time among children under five years old and the factors which determine this use. Methods: Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Benin respectively in 2006 and in 20018 were used during the analysis, which covered 13,445 children under five years old from 2006 DHS and 12,255 children from 2017-2018 DHS. Firstly, the data were analyzed using decomposition method to highlight the origin of the increase of ITN use over time among children under five years old. Secondly, the chi-square test analysis estimated the association between ITN use and some characteristics (wealth index, maternal or caregiver education level and child age). Finally, the logistic regression model was used to identify the main factors, which influence the net use over the study period. Results: This study shows that the improvement of basic conditions is the main origin of behavior change in the use of ITNs among children under five years old. This improvement of the basic conditions consists of making ITNs available in households and informing household members about the benefits of ITN use. So, the free ITN distribution campaigns, routine distribution, awareness campaigns about the benefits of ITN use are the strategies, which increase the household capacities and knowledge, allowing household members to make their children sleep under net. The analysis also shows that region of residence, wealth index of household, household size, religion, and child age continue to determine the ITN use among children under age 5 years old and MNCP will integrate the factors in malaria prevention strategies in order to achieve universal use of ITNs. Conclusions: Although, sleeping under ITN behavior has indeed spread among children under 5 years old, policymakers and other stakeholders should design strategies to maintain and improve the current level of ITN use to reach the collective protection threshold (80% according to WHO). Therefore, to address the challenges of universal use of ITN, the study recommends expanding the routine distribution system to private sector health centers;discussing issues related to health service utilization (particularly ITN use) within a consultation framework at the communal level. In addition, collecting qualitative and quantitative data in the Oueme region will allow better understanding of all aspects of the ITN use gap among children under 5 years.
文摘AN 80-year old woman, who was recovering from a bone injury, once told me that she would be traveling around the world for the rest of her life. Listening to her touching and admirable plan, I realized that the loss of one’s ability to do a certain thing will cultivate a longing for that particular thing. This longing was also with me the year I became 40. At that time, I frequently thought back over all l had done during the past 40 years,
文摘Obesity is one of the most prominent problems imminent among all societies particularly in developing countries. WHO reported in the latest report that obesity was among the 5 causes of death in the world. In 2010, about 43 million under 5 years children were found to be overweight. At present about 35 million kids suffering from obesity live in developing countries and about 7 million overweight kids live in developed countries. Studies in Iran show that the prevalence of obesity is between 7 - 16 percent. According to this study, from 514,963 examined children (261,633 male and 253,330 female), 2.6 percent of children had severe obesity, 60 percent and 40 percent in males and females respectively. This study showed that 3.6 percent were obese, 57.5 and 42.5 in males and females respectively. Also overweight was 8.4 percent, 49.3 and 50.7 percent in males and females respectively. Overweight was found to be more common among female participants with 50.7 percent as opposed to 49.3 percent for males. However, obesity and severe obesity were found to be more common among males. Life style change is the best way to prevent obesity and also is the best way to control and treat it by increased activity and low food consumption. Because of the importance of nutrition in childhood growth and development and also the effect of childhood malnutrition on adult health, special notice to this issue is necessary.
