High risk indicators among under fives in Mosul, Iraq

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to identify the indicators of high risk for the priority health problems among children under five years of age in Mosul. To achieve this, 22 experienced pediatricians were recruited to identify these indicators through the use of a special checklist prepared for this purpose. Several criteria were used viz., strength of association of the risk factor indicator with the health problem, prevalence of the risk factor itself, ease of detection, and feasibility of modifying or eliminating the risk factor. The majority of the risk indicators ascertained by this study are amenable to simple intervention. Strategy of how to identify a high-risk child should be part of all training courses for physicians and primary health care workers