‘NTA’, a locally named unclear condition that causes failure to thrive amongst under five children in southeastern Nigeria: An assessment of mothers’ and caregivers’ perception of its causes and management

Authors

  • Ezeonu CT CT
  • Anyanwu OU OU
  • Ezeanosike OB
  • Ojukwu JO
  • Onoh E E
  • Nweze JD JD

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The age
old childhood condition locally
called ‘NTA’ in most South eastern parts of the country Nigeria is
unclear and a challenge to health
care professionals whose patients
refuse orthodox medicine and
choose alternative medicine. This
study was to find the typical features of this condition as perceived by the populace.

Method: Two hundred and twenty
six questionnaires on symptoms
and signs were satisfactorily filled
by participants residing in parts of
Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria.
Data were analysed using SPSS
version 15. Cross tabulations and
comparison of means were done
using chi square with level of
significance set to p<0.05.

Results: Over 90% (217/231) of
the respondents including Nurses
and community health extension
workers, believed in the existence
of ‘NTA’ with significant variation across levels of education
(p=0.019); A total of 82.3% ( 190/231) reported peak occurrence between the ages of one to
three months. Features were;
Weight loss (94.4%), Excessive
cry (89.2%), Dry skin (87.9%),
Restlessness (86.6%), sleeplessness (80.5%), appearance of whitish/dyspigmented hair on skin
(77.6%), etc. Most respondents
were unsure of cause, some assume infective and fewer assume
dietary cause. A total of 82.7%(191/231) reported that the traditional healers were the best managers of ‘NTA’

Conclusion: The level of belief in
the existence of ‘NTA’ is significant and deserves a research into
the cause of the condition. The use
of alternative medicine is indeed a
challenge for us to use reason and
wisdom to deal with culture, belief
and illnesses.

 

Key words: Alternative medicine,
failure to thrive, , south-eastern
Nigeria, under five children

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Published

2024-06-24

How to Cite

‘NTA’, a locally named unclear condition that causes failure to thrive amongst under five children in southeastern Nigeria: An assessment of mothers’ and caregivers’ perception of its causes and management. (2024). NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS, 43(4). https://www.njpaediatrics.com/index.php/njp/article/view/1098