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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Growth monitoring and promotion practices among health workers may be suboptimal despite high knowledge scores

Authors: Issahaku Sulley, Abdul-Razak Abizari, Zakari Ali, Wisdom Peprah, Hamshawu Gombilla Yakubu, Wilfred W. Forfoe, Mahama Saaka

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

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.

Methods

A 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.

Results

Weight 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.

Conclusion

Knowledge 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.
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Metadata
Title
Growth monitoring and promotion practices among health workers may be suboptimal despite high knowledge scores
Authors
Issahaku Sulley
Abdul-Razak Abizari
Zakari Ali
Wisdom Peprah
Hamshawu Gombilla Yakubu
Wilfred W. Forfoe
Mahama Saaka
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4103-4

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