The positive benefits of the holistic development of children aged 0 to 8 are still not sufficiently understood or valued by families, communities and governments. Across the world, although many countries have the resources and potential, numerous children continue to suffer from neglect and various forms of violence. In Guinea, as in many other contexts, public policies designed to promote early childhood development are not always backed by budgetary resources commensurate with their stated ambitions. Political will is expressed more through official rhetoric than through concrete actions and commitments that are actually fulfilled. This limits the implementation of interventions and results in significant harm to children. Indeed, the aim of this research was to analyse, based on the perceptions of institutional and implementing stakeholders operating in Guinea, as well as policy and programme documents, the existing opportunities that could be harnessed to promote the harmonious development of children aged 0 to 8 in Guinea. Twenty-one participants from 18 institutions (state bodies, UN agencies, international NGOs and civil society organisations) took part in semi-structured interviews in Conakry between 21 November 2024 and 24 April 2025. These interviews revealed that the country is brimming with significant opportunities and that all that is needed is for early childhood to be made a national priority. The notable opportunities highlighted by these stakeholders include the existence of social services; the mobilisation of civil society and community groups; the large number of committed partners and stakeholders; the presence of the mass media to raise awareness, monitor, alert and educate families and children; the existence of mineral resources that are still undervalued; and the existence of a favourable political and framework. The presence of all these favourable factors provides significant leverage for a coordinated and effective multisectoral response in support of children aged 0 to 8. Keywords: early childhood development, Guinea, opportunities, stakeholders, favourable. Received Date: August 17, 2026 Accepted Date: September 09, 2026 Published Date: October 01, 2026 Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/961
This study “Assessment of nutritional deficiency and its effect on the growth of the less privilege children in Taraba State, Nigeria” is designed to investigate the effect which nutritional deficiency has on the less privileged children and whether nutritional deficiency have significant negative effect on the children. This is because there is a general notion that most retarded growth experienced in our children is occasioned by nutrient deficiency in feeds. It is believed that constant consumption of foods containing nutrients in the right proportion will make children grow normally and in good health. The study us a descriptive survey research design. Target population of the study was 864 participants. Sample of the study was 273 respondents. The sample size was obtained using Slovin’s model for sample size determination. Instrument for data collection was the researchers’ structured questionnaire. The instrument was structured using Likerts’ modified response option of Strongly Agreed (SA), Agreed (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The null hypotheses formulated were tested using regression analysis and the associated ANOVA. Findings of the study indicated that most of the less privileged children are not opportune to feed on balanced diet, and that militates against their growth and development. The major recommendation was that charity organizations, philanthropist and government should consider the less privileged and provide assistance that could enable them meet up with the required nutritive foods for proper growth and development.
Undernutrition and infectious diseases pose a double threat to child survival, especially in areas with a high malnutrition burden and low vaccination coverage. In this study, we evaluated whether distributing preventive small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) alongside routine immunization services may increase vaccine uptake in a pediatric, pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial in northern Nigeria. Twenty geographically defined clusters across two Local Government Areas were randomized 1:1 to the NutriVax strategy (intervention) or standard National Program of Immunization (NPI) services (control). NutriVax provided a monthly ration of SQ-LNS to children aged 6-23 months after routine NPI delivery at primary healthcare centers. The primary outcome was coverage of the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) verified by vaccination card among children aged 12-23 months, assessed in an endline population-based household cross-sectional survey 12 months after conducting a similar baseline survey. The endline survey included 1,604 children (801 control, 803 NutriVax); 48% of children surveyed in intervention clusters had ever received SQ-LNS. The odds of receiving card-verified MCV1 were two times higher in the NutriVax arm than in the control arm (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30-3.35, P = 0.004). The difference-in-differences, cluster conditional analysis indicated a 20.1 percentage-point (pp) increase in MCV1 coverage from baseline (95% CI: 13.7-26.5 pp, P < 0.0001) relative to the control arm. Co-delivering SQ-LNS with routine immunization substantially improved card-verified MCV1 uptake, supporting a scalable strategy to make progress toward targets set by the World Health Organization's Immunization Agenda 2030 in similar settings. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06387511 .
Cécile Cazes, Baba Waru Goni, Delphine Gabillard et al.
Soil-transmitted helminth infections remain an important public health problem among children in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections among pupils attending two primary schools in Bonny and Finima communities, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Stool samples were examined using the formalin–ether concentration technique to recover helminth eggs and cysts.
Nkeiruka Adaeze Chijioke, peter ulim-ujuo-ushang Ikor, Ikechukwu Chijioke
Child malnutrition is a major health issue in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas like Bayelsa State. This study compares the nutritional status of under-five children and caregivers in Agudama-Epie (a UNICEF-intervened community) and Amasoma (a non-intervened community). Using a cross-sectional design, data was collected from 202 caregiver-child pairs through questionnaires and anthropometric measurements following WHO standards. Results showed malnutrition was prevalent in both communities, but lower in Agudama-Epie, with better hygiene, diet diversification, and feeding habits. Stunting, wasting, and underweight rates were relatively lower in Agudama-Epie. In contrast, Amasoma had higher malnutrition rates linked to poor breastfeeding, low dietary variety, inadequate sanitation, and increased disease burden. The study also found malnutrition is a dual burden, with underweight and overweight cases coexisting in families, reflecting a mix of BMI patterns among caregivers. The study concludes that government and NGO nutrition interventions can reduce undernutrition among under-five children. Sustainability requires combined efforts in caregiver education, poverty reduction, and environmental health enhancement. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address malnutrition in vulnerable communities.
Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) and violent discipline of children frequently co-occur, but are rarely addressed jointly in public health research or programming. In Senegal, both IPV and violent discipline are prevalent, particularly in rural regions, yet little is known about their intersection within households. This study investigates factors associated with IPV and violent discipline among young couples in southeastern Senegal and explores pathways between violence-related attitudes, social norms, IPV, and violence against children. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional baseline survey of 330 heterosexual couples (fathers aged 18–35 and their partners) in two rural communes in Senegal as part of a quasi-experimental evaluation of the REAL Fathers Initiative. Structured interviews assessed self-reported IPV, violent discipline of under-five children, social norms, parenting practices, and relationship quality. Multivariate logistic regressions and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to identify predictors of IPV and violent discipline and test hypothesized pathways between them. Results Over half of couples (57%) reported IPV in the past three months; 89% of mothers and 71% of fathers reported using violent discipline. Mothers reported more frequent use of physical and harsh discipline than fathers. Among men, attitudes and injunctive norms supporting violence were significantly associated with physical discipline. Among women, higher education and confidence in nonviolent parenting were associated with lower likelihood of violent discipline. SEM showed a significant pathway from IPV to fathers’ use of physical violent discipline, with additional indirect effects through maternal violence. Conclusions Findings reveal high co-occurrence of IPV and violent discipline, shared risk factors, and evidence of interlinked pathways between partner and child-directed violence. These results underscore the need for integrated interventions targeting both forms of violence within the family system and support social norm change and parenting skills among young couples.
In its debut novel, Stay With Me, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ takes the personal tragedy of a childless Nigerian marriage and turns it into an introspective exploration of mental illness, trauma and isolation. The novel follows the psychological breakdown of Yejide, a woman whose infertility, forced polygyny and multiple maternal losses bring her to the edge of grief and madness in a culture that normalises men’s secrets while medicalising women’s pain. This paper explores the ways in which Adébáyọ̀ dramatises trauma as somatic (pseudocyesis and sickle-cell crises), relational (marital deception and betrayal) and cosmological (the Yoruba belief in abiku, the “spirit child” who dies to torment its mother). The novel’s alternate, retrospective first-person perspective formally represents the belatedness, dissociation and unspeakability of traumatic memory as articulated by Cathy Caruth and Judith Herman while alienation functions simultaneously at the gender, marriage and nation levels. The paper argues that Stay With Me reimagines the experience of infertility and loss as a symptom of structural violence and calls for a new critical focus on mental health in African women’s fiction through five interlocking themes: reproductive trauma, marital secrecy, stigmatised grief, sickle-cell disease as an intergenerational wound and the mirroring of domestic and national instability.
The right of choice in marriage is universal and it is enshrined in international human rights instruments. Yet, many girls under 18 years enter into marriage without a chance to exercise that right. This has proved problematic as the situation often results in negative outcomes including school drop-out, pregnancy risks, diseases and sexually transmitted infections, unhappiness, and even death. This study therefore examined the factors influencing child marriage among girls in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It specifically investigated the cultural and sociodemographic factors influencing child marriage among girls in the study area. The ethno-cultural theory of pedogamy guided the study. The mixed method research design was employed with structured questionnaire and key informant interviews utilized in the collection of data. Data was retrieved from 183 respondents, and it was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results from the study showed that the practice of arranged marriage and beliefs that marriage brings honour to a girl and her family contributes to child marriage. Also, ignorance of fundamental human rights among girls and peer influence, as well as financial difficulties in families, illiteracy among parents and weak enforcement of legal sanctions against child marriage contributes to the practice of child marriage. The study recommends, among others, promotion of education and awareness programme that challenge cultural beliefs that perpetuate child marriage, and implementation of interventions that address poverty in Nasarawa Eggon LGA.
Immunisation remains one of the most effective public health interventions, yet in Nigeria, significant gaps in coverage persist, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases. This chapter examines the current state of immunisation in Nigeria, highlighting the challenges that hinder widespread coverage, including cultural, economic, and geographical barriers. It explores strategies for reaching zerodose children, emphasising the importance of integrating immunisation efforts with other health services. Additionally, the chapter discusses the role of disease surveillance and early detection systems in preventing outbreaks. By analysing success stories and best practices, this chapter offers insights into overcoming the barriers to achieving high immunisation coverage in Nigeria and other developing nations.
Abstract The study describes the patterns of concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) among children age 6–59 months living in the 1980s in Niakhar, a rural area of Senegal under demographic surveillance. Wasting and stunting were defined by z scores lower than −2 in weight for height and height for age. Both conditions were found to be highly prevalent, wasting more so before age 30 months, stunting more so after age 30 months. As a result, concurrent WaSt peaked around age 18 months and its prevalence (6.2%) was primarily the product of the two conditions, with an interaction term of 1.57 ( p < 10 −6 ). The interaction was due to the correlation between both conditions (more stunting if wasted, more wasting if stunted). Before age 30 months, boys were more likely to be concurrently wasted and stunted than girls (RR = 1.61), but the sex difference disappeared after 30 months of age. The excess susceptibility of younger boys could not be explained by muscle mass or fat mass measured by arm or muscle circumference, triceps, or subscapular skinfold. Concurrent WaSt was a strong risk factor for child mortality, and its effect was the product of the independent effect of each component, with no significant interaction.
