BackgroundFolate and iron deficiency during pregnancy are risk factors for anaemia, preterm delivery, and low birth weight, and may contribute to poor neonatal health and increased maternal mortality. The World Health Organization recommends supplementation of folic acid (FA) and iron for all pregnant women at risk of malnutrition to prevent anaemia. We assessed the use of prenatal folic acid and iron supplementation among women in a geographical area with a high prevalence of anaemia, in relation to socio-demographic, morbidity and health services utilization factors.MethodsWe analysed a cohort of 21,889 women who delivered at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Moshi, Tanzania, between 1999 and 2008. Logistic regression models were used to describe patterns of reported intake of prenatal FA and iron supplements.ResultsPrenatal intake of FA and iron supplements was reported by 17.2% and 22.3% of pregnant women, respectively. Sixteen percent of women reported intake of both FA and iron. Factors positively associated with FA supplementation were advanced maternal age (OR = 1.17, 1.02-1.34), unknown HIV status (OR = 1.54, 1.42-1.67), a diagnosis of anaemia during pregnancy (OR = 12.03, 9.66-14.98) and indicators of lower socioeconomic status. Women were less likely to take these supplements if they reported having had a malaria episode before (OR = 0.57, 0.53-0.62) or during pregnancy (OR = 0.45, 0.41-0.51), reported having contracted other infectious diseases (OR = 0.45, 0.42-0.49), were multiparous (OR = 0.73, 0.66-0.80), had preeclampsia/eclampsia (OR = 0.48, 0.38-0.61), or other diseases (OR = 0.55, 0.44-0.69) during pregnancy. Similar patterns of association emerged when iron supplementation alone and supplementation with both iron and FA were evaluated.ConclusionsFA and iron supplementation are low among pregnant women in Northern Tanzania, in particular among women with co-morbidities before or during pregnancy. Attempts should be made to increase supplementation both in general and among women with pregnancy complications.

Afolabi AO, Olojede AC, Aregbesola SB, Ogundipe OK Prevalence and perception of self reported dentine hypersensivity among dentate populations in South-western Nigeria. Tanz Dent J 2010; 16(1):29-34 Abstract Aim: To determine by questionnaire the prevalence and perception of DH in general dentate populations in south western Nigeria. Study Design: A descriptive study of self reported dentine hypersensitivity among dentate populations selected by multistage sampling technique in south western Nigeria. Subjects and methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 373 subjects [170males, 203females, mean age 37.1 (standard deviation +/-15.8years)] selected by multistage sampling technique in 4 dental clinics in Nigeria. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. Results: About 61% of the subjects (60.9%, n=227) reported to have experienced DH. Most of whom were of fifth decade, and significantly more in females (64.5%) and smokers (72.7%) than males (56.5%)[p<0.03] and non-smokers (59.7%) respectively. Approximately 62% (61.9%, n=231) could identify the nature of the pain experienced. Of these 38.1%, (n=88) perceived the condition as a severe problem, 30.3%, (n=70) perceived DH as a minor problem. Forty five percent of those who reported DH had sought professional treatment. Cold was the major stimulus (42.1%) for pain. Fifteen subjects (6%) used desensitising toothpaste (Sensodyne) during periods of discomfort. Of those who sought periodontal treatment (33.8%, n=126), only 23 (6.7%) reported discomfort after treatment. Conclusion: Self reporting of DH was similar to previous studies. However, a thorough clinical examination could determine a more accurate prevalence data.

No abstract