IODINE NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND GOITRE PREVALENCE IN CHILDREN AGED 2 - 14 YEARS IN SELECTED UPLAND AND RIVERINE COMMUNITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Iodine deficiency is a common cause of thyroid disease, prompting the World Health Organisation to recommend universal salt iodification. The iodine status of Rivers State is yet to be investigated following the implementation of this strategy.

Objective: To determine and compare the iodine nutritional status of children aged 2-14 years resident in selected upland and riverine communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Household Food Insecurity (HFI) is closely linked with nutritional status. The Global Report on Food Crises 2019 reported more than 113 million people face food insecurity hence the need to address Food insecurity in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 which seeks to achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HFI, compare the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in food-secure and food-insecure households, and determine the predictors of malnutrition in food-insecure households in Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State.

A Study of Childhood Malaria trends at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: 2006 - 2018.

Background: Several efforts have been put in place to reduce the global burden of malaria especially in children and in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of malaria control activities on the trend of childhood malarial diseases at a tertiary hospital in South-south Nigeria.

Methodology: A retrospective review of the case records of all malaria diagnoses including in-patient, out-patient, and emergency room, seen in the Department of paediatrics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from January 2006 to December 2018 was conducted.

Sociocultural practices, beliefs, and myths surrounding newborn cord care in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A qualitative study.

Persisting sociocultural beliefs have continued to significantly influence the adoption of recommended newborn care practices by women in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the sociocultural practices, beliefs, and myths surrounding newborn cord care by women residing in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This was a qualitative study that involved 24 women and 3 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in three focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews respectively.

Mainstreaming youth-friendly health services into existing primary health care facilities: experiences from South-South Nigeria.

Background Youth friendly services, an evidence based approach to overcome the barriers experienced by youths in accessing care, is poorly implemented. The Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Rivers State chapter, was supported by Ford Foundation to mainstream youth-friendly health services (YFHS) into existing primary health care facilities in two hard-to-reach communities. This paper presents the interventions, findings, challenges and recommendations.