Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.

<h4>Background</h4>Infant sunlight exposure in their early infancy is essential for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent due to inadequate exposure to sunlight. In Ethiopia, one in thirteen children had rickets, which could be prevented by sunlig...

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Main Authors: Girma Teferi Mengistu, Ayana Benti Terefe, Tolesa Gemeda Gudeta, Bizunesh Kefale Mengistu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277349
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author Girma Teferi Mengistu
Ayana Benti Terefe
Tolesa Gemeda Gudeta
Bizunesh Kefale Mengistu
author_facet Girma Teferi Mengistu
Ayana Benti Terefe
Tolesa Gemeda Gudeta
Bizunesh Kefale Mengistu
author_sort Girma Teferi Mengistu
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Infant sunlight exposure in their early infancy is essential for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent due to inadequate exposure to sunlight. In Ethiopia, one in thirteen children had rickets, which could be prevented by sunlight exposure or supplementation. This study aimed to identify the practice of infants' sunlight exposure and associated factors among mothers attending the Expanded program immunization unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.<h4>Method</h4>This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional study design to collect data. Data were collected from 220 mothers using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The study employed a systematic random sampling technique to reach the study participants. The collected data were entered into a computer using the software Epidata 3.1 version and exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was done, and a statistical association was declared at a p-value < 5% and a 95% confidence interval(CI). Then the results were presented using a frequency table, figures, and description.<h4>Result</h4>A total of 220 infant-coupled mothers who visited the Expanded program immunization unit were included in the study. According to the current study, 67.3% of mothers had good practice with infants' sunlight exposure. Mothers' practice of infant sunlight exposure was affected by age of mothers 30-34 years, [AOR = 3.10, 95%CI (1.13, 8.51)], and age ≥35 years, [AOR = 4.49, 95%CI (1.20, 16.86)], and living in urban, [AOR = 1.94, 95%CI (1.053, 3.57)].<h4>Conclusion</h4>The current study showed that two-thirds (67.3%) of mothers had good practice of sunlight exposure to their infants. Factors that affect mothers' practice of infants' sunlight exposure are age and place of residence. Health professionals should provide health education for mothers on the benefits of infants' sunlight exposure.
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spelling doaj.art-5c271937a65a47e5862a5afcc95320f02023-01-07T05:31:07ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011711e027734910.1371/journal.pone.0277349Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.Girma Teferi MengistuAyana Benti TerefeTolesa Gemeda GudetaBizunesh Kefale Mengistu<h4>Background</h4>Infant sunlight exposure in their early infancy is essential for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent due to inadequate exposure to sunlight. In Ethiopia, one in thirteen children had rickets, which could be prevented by sunlight exposure or supplementation. This study aimed to identify the practice of infants' sunlight exposure and associated factors among mothers attending the Expanded program immunization unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.<h4>Method</h4>This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional study design to collect data. Data were collected from 220 mothers using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The study employed a systematic random sampling technique to reach the study participants. The collected data were entered into a computer using the software Epidata 3.1 version and exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was done, and a statistical association was declared at a p-value < 5% and a 95% confidence interval(CI). Then the results were presented using a frequency table, figures, and description.<h4>Result</h4>A total of 220 infant-coupled mothers who visited the Expanded program immunization unit were included in the study. According to the current study, 67.3% of mothers had good practice with infants' sunlight exposure. Mothers' practice of infant sunlight exposure was affected by age of mothers 30-34 years, [AOR = 3.10, 95%CI (1.13, 8.51)], and age ≥35 years, [AOR = 4.49, 95%CI (1.20, 16.86)], and living in urban, [AOR = 1.94, 95%CI (1.053, 3.57)].<h4>Conclusion</h4>The current study showed that two-thirds (67.3%) of mothers had good practice of sunlight exposure to their infants. Factors that affect mothers' practice of infants' sunlight exposure are age and place of residence. Health professionals should provide health education for mothers on the benefits of infants' sunlight exposure.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277349
spellingShingle Girma Teferi Mengistu
Ayana Benti Terefe
Tolesa Gemeda Gudeta
Bizunesh Kefale Mengistu
Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
PLoS ONE
title Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
title_full Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
title_fullStr Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
title_short Factors associated with infants' sunlight exposure among mothers attending the EPI unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.
title_sort factors associated with infants sunlight exposure among mothers attending the epi unit of wolkite university specialized hospital
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277349
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