"The state of physical health of ""foster children"" in Tororo District; Uganda."

ABSTRACT

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the state of physical health of foster children in Tororo County; Tororo district. Many studies carried out usually focus on one aspect of health of children e.g.nutritional status; dental status etc. This has led to looking at health problems among children in sectors thus also the development of vertical heath programmes e.g. CDD; malaria control etc. This study attempted to look at all diseases prevalent among children. To give a more true picture of the magnitude of poor health status of children in Uganda and Tororo in particular; The study targeted foster children of plan International who have been identified of the more disadvantaged and vulnerable group. An attempt to describe the morbidity patterns among these children was made. A few factors contributory and directly affecting the health state of the children are described. A sample of foster children;356 children from 3 subcounties of Tororo county where the children live were examined as found.Most of them were examined in school as it was school trem period. The social hitory was obtained from both the foster children and their families using a structured questionnaire. Most foster children live with at least one their biological parents accept in cases of double orphans. A good number too are partial orphans. Most of the children live in poor and unhygienic coditions leading to skin conditions and general poor personal hygiene. Cough and cold; malaria and poor oral hygiene were the biggest health problem in the study; followed by skin diseases especially sepsis; Tinae and scabies. The nutritional state of the children was also poor. Many of the children were underweight and stunted. The state of anaemia was noy remarkable. Many children had one type of illness at the time of examination; 2 weeks or a month before and so did the other children at home or the many children are said to have been immunised but a good a number of children did not have a BCG scar or was poor. The contributor factors were poor sources of water; poor nutrition due to famine in the district. Poverty is the common occurrence amongst the communities and this has an effect on the health of children. The availability and accessibility of health services is another contributory factor. The level knowledge health and hygiene could be a factor. The common occurrence of orphaned children now being taken care of by others is another major factor. The general; leaving conditions including housing; overcrowding and poor latrine coverage and use ( as seen among sick children ) are some of the factors found to be contributing to the health status of children.Recommedations include emphasis and strengthening primary health care and school health programs and to particularly highlight on basic personal hygiene including oral hygiene