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Evaluation of growth monitoring programme in children in Kinshasa
M A Mapatano1, D Lusamba, M Banea
1Université de Kinshasa, Ecole de Santé Publique, Zaire.
Insights
High dropout rates plague the University of Kinshasa
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The under-five clinic at the University of Kinshasa Teaching Hospital experiences a significant dropout rate.
- A preliminary study revealed no children completed the five-year growth monitoring program.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the high dropout rate at the under-five clinic.
- To investigate reasons for early abandonment of clinic visits.
- To provide recommendations for improving child health program adherence.
Main Methods:
- A preliminary study was conducted on 197 children.
- A subsequent study involved home interviews with 500 mothers randomly selected from 1224 registered patients.
- Data was collected over a six-week period.
Main Results:
- The study confirmed a substantial dropout problem among children attending the under-five clinic.
- Analysis indicated that mothers tend to discontinue visits before the child reaches five years of age.
Conclusions:
- Health workers require training to effectively counsel mothers on the importance of continued program participation until age five.
- Reduced attendance frequency after the first year may be an acceptable adjustment to improve adherence.
Abstract:
A high dropout rate was noted at the under five clinic of the University of Kinshasa Teaching Hospital. A preliminary study carried out in March 1984 on 197 children indicated that none of them had completed the five year period of the growth monitoring programme. Five hundred mothers of children attending the under five year clinic were then randomly selected from the 1224 who registered between September 1983 and August 1984. They were interviewed at home during a six week period. This paper confirms the dropout problem. It discusses whether mothers should abandon the visits early. It concludes that health workers should be trained to advise mothers to bring their children to the programme up to five years though the attendance frequency may be reduced from the second year onwards.