Browsing by Author "George, Lance Michael"

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    A community-based survey in a low-income area of the City of Cape Town of the information contained in the Road-to-Health booklet of children under 5 and their actual health status.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) George, Lance Michael; Barnes, Johanna Maria; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Health Systems and Public Health.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: The present study is a community-based survey in certain low-income areas of the City of Cape Town of the information contained in the ‘Road to health booklet’ of children under 5 and their actual health status. A cross-sectional survey design with a systematic sampling strategy was employed in this study. Methods: The study took place in four low-income areas in the Kuils River area of the Cape Metropole, namely, Kalkfontein, Wesbank, Happy Valley and Eerste River. In total 250 households were randomly selected for participation in the study, when a child under the age of 5 was not present in the home, the next house with such a child was selected. The RtH booklets or cards were analysed for completeness of information. The information on demographics and health was obtained through a structured interview with the main caregiver in each household. A home inspection was performed in order to determine general living conditions. Results: A total of 278 children under the age of 5 years were included in this study. A reported 22.3% had the older RtH card, 65.5% had the newer booklet, while 11.9% had no card or a lost or missing card. When looking at the quality of information contained in the RtH cards/booklets, 18% was classified as good, 59.6% as fair and 22.4% as poor. A reported 88.6% of RtH cards/booklets were up to date but only 13.5% had complete information. The study found that both immunizations and weight-for-age were completed 91% of the time. Vitamin A was completed 83.3% of the time while deworming was 77.1% completed. The least completed sections were height-for-age at 22.4% and mid upper arm circumference at 18%. Sixty three percent of dwellings were brick houses while 37% were shacks. A reported 31.7% of household occupants had full time employment while 57.5% were unemployed. Almost 10% of households had an income of less than R600 per month while 38.8% of households had a total income between R600 and R2500. A reported 24.8% of households suffered from food insecurity. Almost 53% of households living conditions was classified as in a poor state. Conclusion: Results of that study indicated that many of the RtH cards or booklets were incomplete with the exception of weight-for-age and immunization which had an over 90% completion. Major data missing was the completion of the height-for-age and mid upper arm circumference. The RtH system is the major strategy to track development, health needs and health status of young children. It is vital to utilize all aspects of the RtH system in order to alert healthcare workers of a child with a health issue so that immediate corrective action can be taken. The study identified a need to improve the training of healthcare workers as well caregivers on all aspects of the RtH booklet in order to utilize its full potential in improving the health of children under the age of five years old. The information that could potentially be collected by an optimal RtH system can be of immense value for health planning. At present this opportunity is lost due to the poor information available from the RtH system.