Mothers' beliefs about infant teething in Enugu, Nigeria
Author Information
Author(s): Adimorah Gilbert N, Ubesie Agozie C, Chinawa Josephat M
Primary Institution: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Hypothesis
What beliefs do mothers in Enugu, Nigeria have about the symptoms associated with teething in infants?
Conclusion
Mothers associate various childhood illness symptoms with teething, which is not evidence-based and may delay necessary medical interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- More than 90% of mothers believed teething can cause medical problems.
- The most common symptoms associated with teething were fever (71.7%), loose stools (58.3%), and vomiting (35%).
- Half of the mothers reported worrying during the teething period.
- Statistical analysis showed significant differences in worries based on the age of the child.
Takeaway
Moms in Nigeria think that teething can cause many health problems for babies, even though there's no proof that this is true.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaires was conducted with mothers at a children's clinic.
Potential Biases
The beliefs may be influenced by cultural perceptions and lack of medical evidence.
Limitations
The study only included mothers from upper and middle social classes in one city, which may not represent all mothers.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 60 literate mothers aged 24 to 43 years, mostly from upper and middle social classes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI reported
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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