Health education - the neglected front: a study of health awareness among young females of Karachi

ABSTRACT

Objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of primary healthcare amongst young females attending primary healthcare centers in Karachi East. This Cross- sectional study was carried out at Primary health care centers in Malir Cantt from April 2006 to September 2006. Out of a total 1800 households of lower grade government employees a convenient sample of 300 females aged 25-35 years, married 8-10 years and attending various health care centers in Malir Cantt for at least five years were included in the study. A closed ended structured questionnaire was administered to the study participants and filled in by the interviewers themselves. Descriptive diferrential statistics [frequency and confidence interval] were calculated. The results of the study regarding Breast feeding and nutrition section showed that only 11% mothers started breast feed within 2 hours of delivery while 87% of them discarded colostrums as useless during initial breast wash. Bottle feeding and weaning was initiated within 4 months of baby's age in 73% and 86% of the respondents respectively. Thirty five percent respondents had some idea of hand washing as an important hygiene practice and 21% considered Oral rehydration salt [ORS] as an effective treatment of diarrhea in children and merely 9% knew about constitution of home based ORS. There were more than 3 children in 64% of families and 73% had narrow child spacing of less than 2 years. Only 17% had successfully used any contraceptive for full 2 years. Anti- anemic prescription was offered to 92% of antenatal women and only 31% complied with its usage. Only 32% mothers possessed complete and up-to-date EPI vaccination cards of their wards