Perception of Child Day Care Center Teachers on Issues and Needs in Child Health Management

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate issues and needs related to child health management as recognized by teachers in day care centers. METHODS: Data were collected from 130 teachers from 20 day care centers. Each teacher was interviewed in depth and the data were examined through content analysis. RESULTS: For issues on child health management, the analysis scheme consisted of 10 categories and 36 subcategories. For needs on child health management, the analysis scheme consisted of 10 categories and 37 subcategories. Teachers indicated that tools for physical examination and playgrounds were insufficient and they had difficulty in controlling attendance of infectious children. They also indicated the lack of a linkage between day care centers and hospitals, lack of knowledge of health management, high teacher versus child ratio, and lack of help and budget needed for health care. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the need to develop a linkage between day care centers and medical institutions. Also there is a need to provide support from health care personnel, health education for teacher, health management manuals for teachers, and financial aid to satisfy the needs for health management in day care center for children.