| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 14-17 |
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Knowledge and attitude of nurses in North-Western Nigeria toward teething
Aliyu Ibrahim1, Teslim O Lawal2, Adewale Ashimi3
1 Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
2 Consultant Paediatrician, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi, Nigeria
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gnaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim
Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2348-0149.158147
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Background: Community health workers, nurses, and doctors have misconception on teething, resulting in inappropriate medical advice and unnecessary prescriptions. Hence, sound knowledge of the teething process is imperative for proper parental education. This study aims to determine the knowledge and attitude of nurses in north-west Nigeria toward teething. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of nurses conveniently sampled in two health facilities in Nigeria. Results: Three hundred and twenty-four nurses were involved comprising 230 (71%) females and 94 (29%) males. Two hundred and eighty-five (88.0%) of the respondents believed teething was associated with systemic symptoms; however, most of the respondents would advice for further medical care for symptoms they attributed to teething. Fever was the most prevalent symptom believed to be associated with teething, followed by loss of appetite and loose stools. However, their gender (X 2 = 0.956, df = 2, P = 0.62), age (X 2 = 0.551, df = 6, P = 0.99), number of years post qualification (X 2 = 6.258, df = 4, P = 0.181), and number of children (X 2 = 6.406, df = 4, P = 0.17) had no relationship with their perception toward teething symptoms. Two hundred and eighty (86.4%) of the respondents will give prescription for teething symptoms and teething powder was the most common teething drug prescribed. Eighty percent of the respondents believed teething remedies are effective. Conclusion: Teething myths are common among nurses in north-western Nigeria; therefore, efforts should be made to eradicate these through effective continuous medical education programs. |
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