Factors Influencing Prevention of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Infants :

Abstract

Introduction/Background: Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH) are neural tube birth defects (NTD) whose etiology is traced back to a complex interaction between diet, genetics and environmental factors. In sub Saharan Africa and particularly Uganda, prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation efforts are quite limited and thus the need for research and action. Broad objective: The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing the prevention of spina bifida and hydrocephalus in infants in Gulu municipality. Methods: The methodology was a cross-sectional study conducted in Gulu Municipality using a semi structured questionnaire targeting 400 women of child bearing age (WCBA) on behalf of their infants. Analysis was done with descriptive statistics and pearson chi-square tests. Results/discussion: The results indicated that health education on SBH and the importance of folic acid during antenatal care (ANC), (OR 11.32, 95% CI 1.31-97.74) at (P-value0.027) and availability of folic acid in adequate amounts (OR 12.67, 95% CI 3.16-50.86) at (P-value <0.001), remained statistically significant. Conclusions and Recommendations: The study therefore concluded that folic acid tablets should be made available in adequate amounts within the health centers to ensure that women can receive them whenever they attend antenatal care and deliberate efforts should be made to include information on SBH and the importance of folic acid within ANC health education sessions.