Factors Associated with Infants' Sunlight Exposure Among Mothers Attending the EPI Unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2022 Nov 17

PMID 36395250

Authors

Girma Teferi Mengistu

Ayana Benti Terefe

Tolesa Gemeda Gudeta

Bizunesh Kefale Mengistu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Infant sunlight exposure in their early infancy is essential for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent due to inadequate exposure to sunlight. In Ethiopia, one in thirteen children had rickets, which could be prevented by sunlight exposure or supplementation. This study aimed to identify the practice of infants' sunlight exposure and associated factors among mothers attending the Expanded program immunization unit of Wolkite University Specialized Hospital.

Method: This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional study design to collect data. Data were collected from 220 mothers using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The study employed a systematic random sampling technique to reach the study participants. The collected data were entered into a computer using the software Epidata 3.1 version and exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was done, and a statistical association was declared at a p-value < 5% and a 95% confidence interval(CI). Then the results were presented using a frequency table, figures, and description.

Result: A total of 220 infant-coupled mothers who visited the Expanded program immunization unit were included in the study. According to the current study, 67.3% of mothers had good practice with infants' sunlight exposure. Mothers' practice of infant sunlight exposure was affected by age of mothers 30-34 years, [AOR = 3.10, 95%CI (1.13, 8.51)], and age ≥35 years, [AOR = 4.49, 95%CI (1.20, 16.86)], and living in urban, [AOR = 1.94, 95%CI (1.053, 3.57)].

Conclusion: The current study showed that two-thirds (67.3%) of mothers had good practice of sunlight exposure to their infants. Factors that affect mothers' practice of infants' sunlight exposure are age and place of residence. Health professionals should provide health education for mothers on the benefits of infants' sunlight exposure.

Citing Articles

Practice and factors associated with sunlight exposure of infants among mothers in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Asmamaw S, Zewde T, Teshome A, Nigussie E Reprod Health. 2025; 22(1):5.

PMID: 39819359 PMC: 11736932. DOI: 10.1186/s12978-024-01918-7.

Sunlight exposure practice and its associated factors among infants in Ethiopia, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yeshanew Ayele F, Kebede N, Mekonen A, Mihiretu M, Tsega Y, Addisu E PLoS One. 2024; 19(11):e0300598.

PMID: 39495805 PMC: 11534253. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300598.

Continuing benefits of the Montreal Protocol and protection of the stratospheric ozone layer for human health and the environment.

Madronich S, Bernhard G, Neale P, Heikkila A, Andersen M, Andrady A Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2024; 23(6):1087-1115.

PMID: 38763938 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00577-8.

References

Hojer B . Rickets and exposure to sunshine (presentation of two cases). J Trop Pediatr Environ Child Health. 1975; 21(2):88-9. DOI: 10.1093/tropej/21.2.88. View

Prentice A, Schoenmakers I, Jones K, Jarjou L, Goldberg G . Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Health Consequences in Africa. Clin Rev Bone Miner Metab. 2014; 7:94-106. PMC: 4126271. DOI: 10.1007/s12018-009-9038-6. View

Andargie N, Debelew G . Effectiveness of checklist-based box system intervention (CBBSI) versus routine care on improving postnatal care utilization in Northwest Ethiopia: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Reprod Health. 2021; 18(1):234. PMC: 8606053. DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01283-9. View

Rueter K, Jones A, Siafarikas A, Chivers P, Prescott S, Palmer D . The Influence of Sunlight Exposure and Sun Protecting Behaviours on Allergic Outcomes in Early Childhood. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(10). PMC: 8161152. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105429. View

Munns C, Zacharin M, Rodda C, Batch J, Morley R, Cranswick N . Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand: a consensus statement. Med J Aust. 2006; 185(5):268-72. DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00558.x. View

Razzaque M . Sunlight exposure: Do health benefits outweigh harm?. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2016; 175:44-48. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.004. View

Ekbote V, Khadilkar A, Mughal M, Hanumante N, Sanwalka N, Khadilkar V . Sunlight exposure and development of rickets in Indian toddlers. Indian J Pediatr. 2009; 77(1):61-5. DOI: 10.1007/s12098-009-0263-2. View

Wondale Y, Shiferaw F, Lulseged S . A systematic review of nutritional rickets in Ethiopia: status and prospects. Ethiop Med J. 2005; 43(3):203-10. View

Unuvar T, Buyukgebiz A . Nutritional rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children and adolescents. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2010; 7(3):283-91. View

10.

Bedaso A, Gebrie M, Deribe B, Ayalew M, Duko B . Knowledge and practice on adequate sunlight exposure of infants among mothers attending EPI unit of Aleta Wondo Health Center, SNNPR, Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2019; 12(1):183. PMC: 6440125. DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4221-4. View

11.

Gedamu H, Tafere Y . Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Sunlight Exposure of Infants among Mothers Attending in Governmental Health Facilities in Farta District, South Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia, 2018. Int J Reprod Med. 2019; 2019:2638190. PMC: 6791214. DOI: 10.1155/2019/2638190. View

12.

Orjuela-Grimm M, Bhatt Carreno S, Liu X, Ruiz A, Medina P, Ramirez Ortiz M . Sunlight exposure in infancy decreases risk of sporadic retinoblastoma, extent of intraocular disease. Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2021; 4(6):e1409. PMC: 8714544. DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1409. View

13.

Hogler W . Complications of vitamin D deficiency from the foetus to the infant: One cause, one prevention, but who's responsibility?. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015; 29(3):385-98. DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2015.03.003. View

14.

Wakayo T, Belachew T, Vatanparast H, Whiting S . Vitamin D deficiency and its predictors in a country with thirteen months of sunshine: the case of school children in central Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2015; 10(3):e0120963. PMC: 4387794. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120963. View

15.

Mead M . Benefits of sunlight: a bright spot for human health. Environ Health Perspect. 2008; 116(4):A160-7. PMC: 2290997. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.116-a160. View

16.

Prentice A . Vitamin D deficiency: a global perspective. Nutr Rev. 2008; 66(10 Suppl 2):S153-64. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00100.x. View

17.

Ziegler E, Hollis B, Nelson S, Jeter J . Vitamin D deficiency in breastfed infants in Iowa. Pediatrics. 2006; 118(2):603-10. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-0108. View

18.

Holick M . Deficiency of sunlight and vitamin D. BMJ. 2008; 336(7657):1318-9. PMC: 2427138. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39581.411424.80. View

19.

Green R, Samy G, Miqdady M, El-Hodhod M, Akinyinka O, Saleh G . Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in Africa and the Middle East, despite year-round sunny days. S Afr Med J. 2015; 105(7):603-5. DOI: 10.7196/samjnew.7785. View

20.

Bezabih A, Eshetu D, Yohanis N, Hirigo A . Knowledge and Practice of Infants Exposure to Sunlight Among Lactating Mothers Attending at Yirgalem Hospital, Sidama Regional State. Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2021; 15:11795565211041348. PMC: 8450552. DOI: 10.1177/11795565211041348. View