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INTRODUCTION: Child undernutrition is a major public health problem in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. However, few analytical studies have quantified the role of risk factors. This study was conducted to determine the socio-economic and family related risk factors for undernutrition among children in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among children100 cases and 200 controls aged 6-23 months. A semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-economic status, infant feeding practices of the mothers, children's immunization status and recent episodes of common childhood illnesses. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors. RESULTS: On bivariate analysis, the maternal factors associated with undernutrition were maternal level of education below secondary level, monthly income below $20 and polygamous marriage. Socio-economic factors significantly associated with malnutrition were residence in a high density area, family accommodation in a single room apartment and family weekly expenditure on food below $55. Children's characteristics associated with child malnutrition included incomplete immunization for age, recent episodes of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection. The significant risk factors on multivariate analysis were maternal monthly income $20, monthly household food expenditure$55, residence in a one room apartment, higher birth order and incomplete immunization of the child. CONCLUSION: The multiplicity of risk factors identified is indicative of the need for a multidisciplinary approach in developing preventive strategies child undernutrition.

Background: Understanding Black women's Papanicolaou (Pap) screening experiences can inform efforts to reduce cancer disparities. This study examined experiences among both US-born US Black women and Sub-Saharan African immigrant women., Method: Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, Black women born in the USA and in Sub-Saharan Africa age 21-65 years were recruited to participate in focus groups and complete a 25-item survey about patient-centered communication and perceived racial discrimination. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to provide a fuller understanding of results., Results: Of the 37 participants, 14 were US-born and 23 were Sub-Saharan African-born Black women. The mean age was 40.0 ± 11.0, and 83.8% had received at least one Pap test. Five themes regarding factors that impact screening uptake emerged from the focus groups: (1) positive and negative experiences with providers; (2) provider communication and interaction; (3) individual barriers to screening uptake, (4) implicit bias, discrimination, and stereotypical views among providers, and (5) language barrier. Survey and focus group findings diverged on several points. While focus group themes captured both positive and negative experiences with provider communication, survey results indicated that most of both US-born and Sub-Saharan African-born women experienced positive patient-centered communication with health care providers. Additionally, during focus group sessions many participants described experiences of discrimination in health care settings, but less than a third reported this in the survey., Conclusion: Black women's health care experiences affect Pap screening uptake. Poor communication and perceived discrimination during health care encounters highlight areas for needed service improvement to reduce cervical cancer disparities., (© 2023. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.)

Objectives: Rates of HPV infection and HPV-related cancers are elevated in the Black population of the US. Efforts to promote HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening are important to reducing the cancer burden among Black populations. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study guided by social ecological model (SEM) was to describe from the perspective of key informants, the challenges and opportunities for HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black adults., Design: Twenty-three key informants participated in individual interviews over zoom video conferencing. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and checked for accuracy prior to data analysis. Two qualitatively trained researchers analyzed the data using content analysis., Results: Participants were aged 50 ± 4.1 years, 12 were females, and 18 identified as Black. Participants included health care providers, teachers, church and community leaders. Themes included HPV and cancer literacy, influence of religion, health care provider recommendations, social and cultural influences, accessibility and availability of services, economic constraints, limited community resources, and HPV vaccine mandates., Conclusions: SEM factors contribute to low HPV vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening and these factors need to be addressed. Interventions addressing SEM factors peculiar to Black populations may promote HPV vaccination and cancer screening in this population.