Growth and disease status of the street children in 4 urban districts in Ha noi

ABSTRACT

In Dec/1998 we surveyed growth and disease status of the street children at four districts of Hanoi. Objective of this survey is searching for growth and status, thereby, proposing some measures to interfere in order to raise their health, help the street children to intergrate into the community. The results showed that there were 425 children from 5-18 ages, in which 252 males and 173 females. For physical growth average weight and height of the street children were lower than these normal children at the same age. The disease pattern showed that majority of them was suffering from otorhinolaryngeal disease and respiratory disease (56.6%) among which mainly as upper respiratory disease. Gastroenterology disease (56.6%) among which mainly as upper respiratory disease. Gastroenterology disease (56.2%) mainly as digestive disorder and clinical worm disease. Odonto-stomatological disease (51%), mainly as caries. Eye disease (22.2%). mainly as trachoma and conjunctivitis. Skin infection (16.5%). Malnutrition (14.3%), anemia(11.8%). Disease of muscles, bones and joints (8%). Urinary tract infection (4,2%), goiter (2,3%), mental disorder (0,9%), epilepsy(0.9%), paralytic poliomyelitis (0.9%), cerebral palsy(0.2%) congenital heart disease (0,5%). From that, it requires suitable consideration and measures to improve the situation.