The Use of the Road to Health Card in Monitoring Child Health
S. Afr. fam. pract. (2004, Online)
;
49(1): 1-5, 2007.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1269817
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The Road to Health Chart (RTHC) provides a simple; cheap; practical and convenient method of monitoring child health. The RTHC could assist with vaccine compliance and early identification of growth faltering; to improve general health. The purpose of the study was to assess whether the RTHCs were adequately completed and interpreted at primary; secondary and tertiary care levels in South Africa.Methods:
The study was carried out at a primary; secondary and tertiary care centre. A questionnaire was administered to 100 subjects from each; seeking demographic information; whether the RTHC was brought along; and if not why it was not brought.Results:
Most children were brought by their mothers. The RTHC was not brought to 48 of the consultations; of those; about 72 thought that bringing the RTHC along was not necessary. Health workers seldom asked to see the RTHC at the primary and secondary care settings; but 50 of them did so at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital (p = 0;002). In only 8 cases overall were the children below the 3rd percentile of weight-for-age. Approximately 20 had incomplete immunisations.Conclusions:
Many parents believe that the RTHC is only required for Well-baby-clinic visits; not for consultations. The RTHC is not often asked for at consultations; the fact that this is more often done at the tertiary care centre may be that much of the service is supplied by paediatricians-in-training. Health workers should ask to see the RTHC; in order for mothers to understand the importance of the information. The study showed that the RTHC is not used to its full potential
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Office Visits
/
Child Health Services
/
Child Welfare
/
Growth and Development
Language:
English
Journal:
S. Afr. fam. pract. (2004, Online)
Year:
2007
Type:
Article
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