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  • Title: Community awareness and utilization of growth chart in a semi-urban Nigerian community.
    Author: Fagbule DO, Olaosebikan A, Parakoyi DB.
    Journal: East Afr Med J; 1990 Feb; 67(2):69-74. PubMed ID: 1694478.
    Abstract:
    Five hundred and eighteen mothers resident in Adeta, Sawmill and Baboko Communities of Ilorin Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, were interviewed to assess their knowledge, utilization, and understanding of the growth chart. Five health facilities in the communities studied were visited to assess the availability, utilization and understanding of growth charts by health workers. Over half (53.7%) of the mothers interviewed have heard about growth charts. The level of awareness was significantly influenced by maternal age, educational status and parity (PLO.OS). Of those who have heard about growth chart, only 155 (55.8%) have it, and 150 of these (96.8%) use it regularly. One hundred and seventy four (33.6%) of all mothers, but 62.6% of those who have heard about the chart demonstrated an understanding of the markings on it. One hundred and sixteen mothers found the growth chart useful for immunization record, nutrition advice, clinic appointment dates, and assessment of developmental milestones. Two of the five health facilities visited had, and used growth charts. The health workers, however, demonstrated a clear understanding of weighing, plotting, and interpretation of the chart, and gave appropriate advice to mothers. Ways of improving growth monitoring in the community using the growth chart are suggested. 518 mothers residing in Adeta, Sawmill and Baboko communities of Ilorin local government areas of Kwara State, Nigeria were interviewed to assess their knowledge, utilization and understanding of the growth chart. 5 health facilities in the communities studied were visited to assess the availability, utilization and understanding of growth charts by health workers. Over half (53.7%) of the mothers interviewed had heard about growth charts. The level of awareness was significantly influenced by maternal age, educational status and parity (PLO.OS). Of those who had heard about growth charts, only 155 (55.8%) have it, and 150 of the these (96.8%) use it regularly. 174 (33.6%) of all mothers, but 62.6% of those who had heard about the chart demonstrated an understanding of the markings on it. 116 mothers found the growth chart useful for immunization record, nutrition advice, clinic appointment dates, and assessment of development milestones. However, growth charts do not have a wide coverage in the Ilorin Community. Only 2 of the 5 health facilities visited had, and used growth charts; the health workers did demonstrate and understanding of the chart and gone appropriate advice to mothers. The growth charts need to be introduced alongside of mothers own methods of assessment of physical, psychological and emotional factors. What is needed is a joint approach to child growth monitoring which combines the observations, coupled with measurements made by both mothers and health workers. In discussing a child's progress with the mother, health workers need to view the child through the mother's eyes and place greater emphasis on questions of behavior, activity level, mood changes and other customary indicators that mothers use to monitor their child's well-being.
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