Abstract
BackgroundThe child health record booklet (CHRB) is a powerful tool for screening children under five and for education of caregivers by health workers. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of CHRB by mothers and health workers in child growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) in the East Mamprusi Municipal, Northern region, Ghana.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers attending child welfare clinics (CWC) and health workers providing GMP at CWC. Observational checklists were used to assess 73 CHRB on the completeness and correctness of growth charts. Mothers and health workers’ knowledge on essential components of CHRB were assessed with a questionnaire.ResultsWeight measurements were correctly recorded in all booklets analyzed. Even though a greater proportion (70.7%) of health workers exhibited high knowledge scores on the interpretation of the essential components of the CHRB,most of the charts analyzed were not completely filled (72.6%) but rather correctly filled (74.0%). Mean knowedge score (3.4 ± 1.3) on growth charting was low among mothers who attend GMP. Work overload (26.1%), inadequate supply of CHRB (26.1%) and vaccine shortages (18.7%) were concerns raised by health workers on the effective usage of the CHRB.ConclusionKnowledge scores on the child health record booklets among health workers and mothers in this part of northern Ghana were high but charting of growth of children was sub-optimal among health workers.
Highlights
The child health record booklet (CHRB) is a powerful tool for screening children under five and for education of caregivers by health workers
The main findings of the present study are that: most of the health workers exhibited high knowledge on the interpretation of the essential components of the CHRB but that did not translate into skills in filling the growth chart
As many mothers are involved in child welfare clinics (CWC) than health workers, we find that our sample may well represent health workers in the Municipality than mothers/caregivers
Summary
The child health record booklet (CHRB) is a powerful tool for screening children under five and for education of caregivers by health workers. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of CHRB by mothers and health workers in child growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) in the East Mamprusi Municipal, Northern region, Ghana. Recent estimates indicate that 165 million of all children under 5 years worldwide are stunted and a further 52 million are wasted with Africa and Asia recording the highest burden [2]. In Ghana, reports on child under nutrition are not much different from the prevalence of sub-Saharan Africa. Northern Ghana presents highest prevalence of under-five malnutrition as against the southern part [4]
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