Evaluation of a primary health care programme in a rural village in Giza, Egypt

ABSTRACT

This paper provides detailed analysis of health problems of a cohort of 250 children born in a rural village, El Kata, in Giza, Egypt. During this longitudinal study, morbidity in children under 2 years of age was measured for a 6 month-period before and for 18 month-period the introduction of a primary health care [PHC] programme. Measurements of morbidity showed a lower prevalence of diarrhea, severe cough, conjunctivitis, fever and skin infection after the introduction of the PHC programme. Introduction of the PHC programme had no significant effect on nutritional status or on vaccine coverage. Significant improvement in the health of children in El Kata study area have taken place during the past 2 years