ABSTRACT
PIP: An attempt was made to determine treatment compliance and outcome at an urban promary care clinic in Zimbabwe. A research nursing sister sat in on an urban primary care clinic 1 day a week for 10 consecutive weeks recording the address, presenting compliant, physical findings, and treatment ordered, as defined by the clinic sister in attendance, of the first 10 consecutive cases seen on the day of the visit. Approximately 1 week later, she visited the home address and interviewed the mother. It is only possible to give medication for 24 hours at a time in the urban clinics, which entails a daily visit by the mother and child, even for oral medicines. At a child's 1st visit to the clinic, the mother is given a treatment card on which daily attendance, with medication given, ir recorded. Compliance was assessed by simply inspecting the card. 100 primary care consultations were recorded, but 1 record was lost. 99 visits to home addresses were undertaken, and in 83 visits contact was made with mother and child. (( of the 83 children were regarded by their mothers as better and no longer in need of treatment. 79 of the 83 mothers interviewed were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment provided at the clinic. At least 1 medicine was prescribed to every child at his/her initial clinic visit and in some children up to 4. 86 children recieved an antibiotic or sulphas, or both. The majority of children seen were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections (50) or gastroenteritis, the majority of which were probably viral illnesses. The main factors for the good compliance among the population studied include: short distance from home to clinic; initial consultation took place in the mothers' own language; and the large number of intramuscular injections ordered as part of the treatment. Further education in the management of simple childhood conditions, and particularly in the use of antobiotics, needs to be given to nursing sisters conducting primary care clinics.^ieng
