Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Mothers' perception of excessive crying in infancy in south eastern Nigeria.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Excessive infant crying, though usually benign, can be very troublesome to parents with unwanted consequences on the child. Previous reports had shown cultural and racial differences in it's perception by mothers. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence of excessive crying in our area of practice and also determine associated factors. METHOD: This was a cross sectional, questionnaire based descriptive study on mothers' perception of their infants' crying. Subjects were mother/infant pairs attending the well baby clinics at the Institute of Child Health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital, Enugu and the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. RESULT: Four hundred and eighty mother/infant pairs participated in the study. Seven point nine percent of the mothers reported excessive crying in their infants. There was no significant diurnal variation in the rate of excessive crying among these infants. Educated mothers (P = 0.008) reported excessive crying less frequently than the uneducated ones. Other maternal and infants demographic factors did not have any influence on mothers' perception of excessive crying in their infants. CONCLUSION: Excessive crying among infants is more commonly perceived by uneducated mothers. This group should be identified and counselled about excessive crying to prevent untoward consequences.

Author information

Author/s: Ibeziako, N S (NS); Ibekwe, R C (RC); Ibe, B C (BC);

Affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Nigerian journal of clinical practice (Niger J Clin Pract), published in Nigeria. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 12 (issue 3) : pp 258-61

Dates: Created 2009/10/06; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19803021, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Chi-Square Distribution Cross-Sectional Studies Crying - psychology Female Humans

Maternal Behavior Mother-Child Relations Mothers - psychology Nigeria Perception Pregnancy Questionnaires

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