Effects of Increased Growth Rates Prior to the First Breeding as Ewe Lambs and Pregnancy Rank on Mammary Glands of Two-Year-Old Ewes

This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months of age on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe mammary structures and the growth of their progeny. Ewe live weight and mammary ultrasound measures were recorded at 119 days of pregnancy, 29 days of lactation (L29), and weaning of the progeny (L79) in 64 two-year-old ewes selected from two treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed prior to their first breeding at seven months of age, achieving an average live weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. The control group (n = 32) weighed an average of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg at breeding. Lambs (n = 74) were weighed at birth, L29 and L79. Udder ultrasound measures did not differ (p > 0.10) between treatments, indicating no carry-over effects of treatments on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes. The association between ultrasound measures and lamb growth seemed to differ depending on lamb birth rank. More research is needed to further investigate these associations and determine whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewes whose progeny would have greater growth rates based on birth rank.

Behaviors of Yahisuli’s Parents in Early Childhood Immunization in 2018

This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to determine factors associated with Yahisuli's parents' behaviors in early childhood immunization in 2018. To collect data, we used a questionnaire administered to a non-probability convenience sample of 96 parents of children 0-11 months of age. Descriptive analysis allowed us to compare our results with previous work. We recorded an average age of 32.8 years and a male/female sex ratio of 1.3. More than 95% of the parents went to school, of which 58.5% have a high school education. The birth rank of the last child ranged from 3 to 5 with a sex ratio of 1.3 in favor of males. Nearly 15% of children have not been fully vaccinated. In this work, 55 out of 96 parents bring their children to a health facility to be vaccinated to ensure their protection (76.4%) and prevention against infectious diseases (47.3%). On the other hand, 42% do not adhere to vaccination because of ignorance, fear due to children's incessant crying after vaccination, adverse post-immunization events. When it came to vaccines, several misunderstandings were raised. These corroborate rumors observed under other skies. Thus, a descriptive and analytical study on the epidemiological surveillance of adverse effects of vaccines is indispensable in the province of Tshopo.

Socio-demographic determinants of neonatal mortality in Algeria according to MICS4 data (2012-2013)

Background: Neonatal mortality remains a public health problem in developing countries, including Algeria. Information on this indicator makes it possible to assess government efforts to improve the living conditions of target populations. Objectives: This study aims to identify some determinants associated with this mortality from data of multiple indicator cluster survey conducted in Algeria in 2012-2013 (mics 4). Methods: A retrospective case-control study including 1047 cases and 1041 controls. From a logistic regression model, we appreciated the role of different factors, socio-demographic, economic and geographic (Mother's age, level of education, wealth index, area of residence) in newborn survival. Results: The main factors associated with neonatal mortality were rural residence (p<0.01; OR= 1.3 ; CI 1.08-1.54), South geographical area (p<0.05; OR=1.5 ; CI 1.18-1.84), low education level of mother (p<0.01; OR= 2.10 ; CI 1.35– 3.29), early age of maternal procreation (p<0.001; OR=4.34 ; CI 2.19– 14.40), the birth rank "7 and over" (<0.01; OR = 1.57; CI 1.13 – 2.44) and the two lowest wealth indices (p <0.001; OR = 2 ; 1.45- 2.62 and p <0.01; OR = 1.66; CI 1.23-2.26). Conclusion: In addition to the various reproductive health strategies already adopted by the authorities for health promo- tion and family planning, action should be taken to evaluate their implementation with sustained assistance for disadvantaged people and in risk areas. Keywords: Neonatal mortality; Algeria; MICS4 data (2012-2013).

Male Adolescents’ Health Needs in Iran and the Associated Factors

Background: Attention to adolescent health is one of the Millennium Development Goals. Adolescent health planning to achieve an acceptable level of health and prevention of waste of capital should be based on attention to all aspects of health and performing needs assessment. Objective: This study aims to determine the health needs of male adolescents in Iran and the factors associated with their needs. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were boys studying in the first and second year of high school in the fields of mathematics, experimental sciences, humanities, and technical sciences at public, non-profit, and gifted & talented schools in Rasht, Iran. The sampling was done using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by using a demographic form and the Male Adolescent Health Needs-Assessment Scale. Results: The boys’ Mean±SD scores of physical, sexual, mental, and social health needs was 49.65±0.15, 11.39±0.12, 89.28±0.29 and 47.3±0.24, respectively. Majority of them obtained excellent scores in physical (76%) and mental health (94%) needs and a good score in social health (81.3%) need, while they earned a moderate score in sexual health need (57.8%). Liner regression analysis results showed that the physical health need of boys had a statistically significant relationship with the type of study school (P= 0.001); their sexual health need with age (P= 0.002), type of study school (P= 0.015), mother’s education (P= 0.025), and mother’s occupation (P= 0.005); their mental health need with the type of study school (P= 0.009), birth rank (P= 0.048), father’s job (P= 0.021), and mother’s job (P= 0.022); and their social health need with the type of study school (P= 0.001). Conclusion: Most important health needs of male adolescents in Iran is sexual health need followed by social, physical and mental health needs. The most important factors related to their health needs are type of study school, mother’s job and education, birth rank, and father’s job. The results of this study can be effective and useful in designing and implementing need-based interventions to promote male adolescents’ health.

Study on ocular anomalies in pediatric patients with special reference to congenital anomalies

Background: Aim of the study was to study the proportion, clinical and etiological profile of congenital ocular anomalies in pediatric patients and limit its magnitude wherever possible so that preventable blindness can be dealt effectively.Methods: Present study was carried out in AMCH, Dibrugarh during the period of July 2018-June 2019. Total 1850 pediatric cases were examined, VA testing was done by Snellen’s chart or clinical judgment by HM, PL and PR also with Allen pictures in preschool children and in infants’ pupillary response and OKN were done. Examination under general anesthesia was done when necessary for posterior segment evaluation and IOP estimation.Results: Proportion congenital ocular anomalies were found to be 13.72%. Male:female ratio was found to be 1.8:1 where majority of cases were within 4 years of age. Most common congenital anomaly was congenital cataract followed by uveal coloboma, microphthalmos and anophthalmos etc. Majority of congenital cataract were in first birth rank and in 4.33% cases parents gave history of consanguinity.Conclusions: The prevalence of congenital anomaly varies in different aspects like age, sex, dwelling, socioeconomic class etc., factors like maternal infection, medication during pregnancy and maternal nutrition may have influence on production of congenital anomalies. Treatable congenital anomaly like congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, eyelid coloboma etc. should be managed by ophthalmologist. Various demographic and mainly maternal factors which are found in study give a clue for further study on those group of people to get a conclusion for the etiology of ocular congenital anomalies concerned.

The Effect of Age of Dam and Birth Rank on the Reproductive Performance of Ewes as One- and Two-Year-Olds

Currently, 30–43% of New Zealand sheep farmers breed their ewe lambs, but few retain the offspring as replacements for their flock. No difference in lamb production as a yearling among singletons and twins born to ewe lambs and twins born to mature ewes has been reported, provided the ewe lambs had reached the 60–65% of their likely mature weight prior to breeding at seven to eight months of age. The aim of this experiment was to determine the lamb production from singletons and twins born to ewe lambs and twins born to mature ewes during their first two years of lambing. The experiment included 8-month-old ewes born as twins to mature ewes (M2, n = 135), singletons born to ewe lambs (L1, n = 135), and twins born to ewe lambs (L2, n = 88), bred during the same period to the same rams, over two years. The efficiency of lamb production (total litter weight at weaning divided by the pre-breeding weight of the ewe, for all ewes presented for breeding) after two years of production was not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the groups (0.40 ± 0.02, 0.39 ± 0.02, and 0.39 ± 0.03, for M2, L1, and L2, respectively).