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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Guineaworm, maternal morbidity, and child health |
Authors: | Brieger, R. Watts, S. Yacoob, May Mirza |
Year: | 1989 |
Periodical: | Journal of Tropical Pediatrics |
Volume: | 35 |
Issue: | 6 |
Period: | December |
Pages: | 285-288 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | parasitic diseases Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Demographics Women and Their Children |
External link: | http://tropej.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/6/285 |
Abstract: | Studies have documented the effect of guineaworm concerning days lost to agricultural work and drops in school attendance, but little is known about how the disease disables mothers and impairs their ability to care for their children and families. A pilot case study of 42 women in two guineaworm endemic areas in rural Nigeria - Idere town in Oyo State and seven villages in the Asa and Moro Local Governments of Kwara State - has been conducted in 1987-1988 to fill that gap. Guineaworm was responsible for half of child immunization defaulting and deterred women from using maternity services. Guineaworm kept women from their jobs and trades, costing an average of approximately $50 in lost income (in an area where the annual per capita income is just over $100). Other problems experienced included loss of appetite and reduced food intake, unattended child illnesses, and disabling secondary infections resulting from unhygienic self-treatment. The ill women and her dependent children put great strain on the support network of family friends. While further research is needed to learn more about this disabling disease, there is no excuse not to implement known guineaworm control interventions, such as water supply improvement. Ref. |