ABSTRACT
Objectives: To describe the process of gathering information from a census survey as a preliminary step for supporting the working of a primary health care center. It also presents briefly the results of the survey and its broader implications on the health needs of the local population
Methods: A questionnaire was used to obtain basic information regarding the ethnicity / area of origin, number of household members and their breakdown according to gender, age and marital status. The medical students of different batches were involved in the data collection process, as part of their Survey Methodology course of Community Health Sciences [CHS] in first year
Results: Data was obtained from 2,033 houses, having a total population of 16,118 persons. Fifty three per cent of the population was under fifteen years, 42% were between 15-49 and 5% were over 50 years of age. The overall percentage of males was 52% and females 48%. Approximately 79 percent people were Pushto speaking
Conclusion: Sikanderabad is a typical slum settlement, with an emigrant population being mostly of Pathan and Afghan refugees. The fertility rate in Sikanderabad is much higher than that of Karachi. This highlights the need for education and availability of family planning facilities. At the same time, due to the fact that there is a major portion of the population aged under five years, so facility for treating children must be appropriately provided. The Primary Health Care center established in Sikanderabad is based on the above information. The emphasis is on maternal and childcare, including antenatal and postnatal care; family planning and nutritional counseling
ABSTRACT
Vitamin A deficiency [VAD] causes blindness of 250,000 to 500,000 children annually, around the world. It also increases the risk of morbidity and mortality due to other diseases. Pakistan is categorized in the 'Severe Sub-Clinical Deficiency' group. A mass supplementation program has been started in 1999. AIM: To determine the coverage of vitamin A supplements in children under five years of age, and to assess the incidence of symptoms related to hypervitaminosis A. SETTING: Block I-A of Gulshan-e-Sikanderabad. METHODOLOGY: A survey was conducted, using the fourth year MBBS students of Ziauddin Medical University [ZMU], under faculty supervision. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to assess coverage and symptoms of toxicity. Data was obtained on 489 children. The coverage of polio and vitamin A supplementation was 88% and 74.8%, respectively. In all 15 children [4.4%] experienced symptoms of toxicity related to vitamin A supplementation. Although vitamin A supplementation can save lives, it is only a short term measure. What is needed is a multi-strategy approach including short and long term strategies