Citation

Hoare K. Health Visit. 1991; 64(1): 19-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Health Visitors Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1993601

Abstract

A British nurse was the 1st health visitor in the village of Keneba in the Gambia. She was at a nutritional research center which provided basic medical services. In addition to visiting mothers in their homes to talk about health education, such as oral rehydration and advice on hand washing, she would also encourage them to bring their children to the infant welfare clinic for immunizations. She told the mothers that the health staff would check the growth and nutritional status of their children and why these activities were important. Staff at the clinic aimed to see all the children 2 years 9 times the 1st year and 4 times the 2nd year. All anthropometric data were forwarded to Cambridge, England to be included in a continuing study on the growth of the population. The clinic referred children with serious illnesses to the pediatrician or, if necessary, took them to a hospital on the coast. Children that came to the clinic with a fever 37.4 degrees Celsius during the wet season had a blood film taken to check for malaria parasites. Indeed cerebral malaria contributed greatly to child deaths in the Gambia. If malaria was present, children received their 1st dose of chloroquine immediately so the staff could determine tolerance. 3 doses followed this dose. The health visitor also organized the health education component of the clinic. The clinic dresser interpreted the British nurse's presentations to eventually conduct them alone. The nurse divided the mothers and fathers into 2 groups. In the future, she would evaluate the 2 groups to determine if weekly education on hand washing and skin hygiene would reduce diarrheal and cutaneous disease incidence in children 3 years old. The other group learned about family planning. Both groups learned about immunization, detection of illness, safety, sanitation, nutritional advice, dental care, and food preparation.

Language: en