Perceptions, Practices, and Mother’s Willingness to Provide Meconium for Use in the Assessment of Environmental Exposures among Children in Mukono and Pallisa Districts, Uganda
Joint Authors
Musinguzi, Geofrey
Sebina Kibira, Simon Peter
Ssempebwa, John C.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-07-18
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Presence of biomarkers or metabolites is assessed in various human biospecimens including meconium in the investigation of exposures to environmental contaminants.
This study gathered data on the perceptions and practices of mothers in two rural districts of Uganda concerning meconium and their willingness to provide meconium from their babies for research purposes.
The study reveals a wide range of perceptions and beliefs around meconium as well as a number of associated taboos and practices.
Many participants noted that meconium could be used to detect ailments among newborns based on its appearance.
Practices and beliefs included using it to prevent stomach discomfort and other ailments of newborns, as a means to confirm paternity and initiate the child into the clan as well as facilitating father-child bonding that included ingestion of meconium by the fathers.
Most mothers indicated scepticism in accepting to provide meconium for research purposes and had fears of unscrupulous people disguising as researchers and using meconium to harm their children.
However, some were willing to provide meconium, if it helped to detect ailments among their children.
These perceptions and practices may negatively influence mothers’ willingness to participate in meconium study.
However, through provision of educational and behaviour change interventions, mothers’ willingness to participate in a meconium study can be improved.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Ssempebwa, John C.& Musinguzi, Geofrey& Sebina Kibira, Simon Peter. 2018. Perceptions, Practices, and Mother’s Willingness to Provide Meconium for Use in the Assessment of Environmental Exposures among Children in Mukono and Pallisa Districts, Uganda. Advances in Public Health،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1122707
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Ssempebwa, John C.…[et al.]. Perceptions, Practices, and Mother’s Willingness to Provide Meconium for Use in the Assessment of Environmental Exposures among Children in Mukono and Pallisa Districts, Uganda. Advances in Public Health No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1122707
American Medical Association (AMA)
Ssempebwa, John C.& Musinguzi, Geofrey& Sebina Kibira, Simon Peter. Perceptions, Practices, and Mother’s Willingness to Provide Meconium for Use in the Assessment of Environmental Exposures among Children in Mukono and Pallisa Districts, Uganda. Advances in Public Health. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1122707
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1122707