Ojofeitimi E O, Adelekan M O
Child Care Health Dev. 1984 Mar-Apr;10(2):61-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.1984.tb00167.x.
Fathers of children suffering from overt protein energy malnutrition (PEM) attending our Nutrition Rehabilitation Clinic in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, were visited at their homes to enquire, by means of interview, about their perceptions of the local names given to PEM, its causes and treatment. From the 56 homes visited, 23 fathers were met and participated in the study. Approximately 44% of the fathers recognized PEM as a cause of childhood disease. About 35% of the respondents attributed the cause of PEM to childhood infection and 26% attributed it to congenital disease transferred from pregnant mothers. One-sixth of the fathers were able to link PEM to lack of good feeding. Hospital-based treatment was advocated by 70% of the fathers, whilst 13% opted for traditional medicine and 17% opted for modern medicine. About 35% of the fathers were of the view that child welfare should be mainly the responsibility of the mother. Ignorance, prolonged absence of fathers from the home and poor sanitation were found to be some of the important aetiological factors of PEM. Strategies for prevention of PEM through active involvement by the fathers, and the vital role of home visits are discussed.
我们走访了尼日利亚伊莱-伊费营养康复诊所中患有明显蛋白质能量营养不良（PEM）儿童的父亲们的家，通过访谈询问他们对PEM当地名称的看法、其病因及治疗方法。在走访的56个家庭中，有23位父亲见面并参与了研究。约44%的父亲认识到PEM是儿童疾病的一个病因。约35%的受访者将PEM的病因归因于儿童感染，26%将其归因于从怀孕母亲那里遗传的先天性疾病。六分之一的父亲能够将PEM与喂养不当联系起来。70%的父亲主张在医院进行治疗，13%选择传统药物，17%选择现代药物。约35%的父亲认为儿童福利主要应由母亲负责。研究发现，无知、父亲长期不在家以及卫生条件差是PEM的一些重要病因。本文讨论了通过父亲积极参与预防PEM的策略以及家访的重要作用。
