Child Welfare Clinic Attendance among Children 24-59 Months in Assin North Municipality, Ghana

Addae Boateng Adu Gyamfi; Benjamin Adjei

doi:10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss4.126

Authors

Addae Boateng Adu Gyamfi

University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Benjamin Adjei

Regional Health Directorate, Cape Coast, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss4.126

Keywords:

Assin North Municipality, attendance, caregivers, child welfare clinic, 24-59 months

Abstract

Child welfare clinics form an important component of the health care system in Ghana and renders invaluable health care services to children under five years. Despite the numerous advantages associated with child welfare clinic attendance, there are reported cases of low attendance among children 24-59 months. It is in line with this that the study examined child welfare attendance among children aged 24-59 months. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the study selected 240 respondents for primary data collection and analysis in the Assin North Municipality of Ghana. It was established that child welfare clinic attendance declines by age of the child due to schooling, completion of immunization schedule and distance to the clinics among other factors. It was also found that the level of education of caregivers and distance travelled to the child welfare clinic have influence on child welfare clinic attendance. On the bases of the findings recommendations were made to capture children 24-59 months for child welfare services in schools. Secondly, health workers should sensitize care givers on the importance of child welfare clinic attendance for children aged 24-59 months.

Author Biographies

Addae Boateng Adu Gyamfi, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Department of Population and Health
Benjamin Adjei, Regional Health Directorate, Cape Coast, Ghana

Disease Control Unit

References

Andrews R, Kearns T, Connors C, Parker C, Carville K (2009). A Regional Initiative to Reduce Skin Infections amongst Aboriginal Children Living in Remote Communities of the Northern Territory, Australia. Negleted Tropical Diseases 3(11) e554 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000554

Antwi-Dennis J, Bam V (2002). Practicing Health Education and Health Promotion Ghana: A Health Learning and Manual for Service Providers. Ghana: MOH National Health Learning Material Centre (NHLMC).

Asirifi Y (2009) Child Health: Past, Present and Future Challenges. Ghana Medical Journal. Number 43 Vul. 2. 82-85 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v43i2.55319

Bhatta DN (2013) Involvement of males in antenatal care, birth preparedness, exclusive breast feeding and immunizations for children in Kathmandu, Nepal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2013, 13:14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-14

Centre for Community Child Health. (2008). Rethinking school readiness (Policy Brief no. 10). Retrieved from www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ccch/PB10_SchoolReadiness_References on 23/01/13

Davies D (2011). Child development: A practitioner’s guide (3rd ed.). New York: Guildford Press.

Ditekemena J, Koole O, Engmann C, Matendo R, Tshefu A, Ryder R, Colebunders R (2012). Determinants of male involvement in maternal and child health services in sub-Saharan Africa: a review. Reproductive Health 2012, 9:32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-9-32

Feikin DR, Nguyen LM, Adazu K, Ombok M, Audi L, Slutsker L, Lindblade KA (2009). The impact of distance of residence from a peripheral health facility on pediatric health utilisation in rural western Kenya. Tropical Medicine & International Health Volume 14, Issue 1, 54–61, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02193.x

Ghana Health Service (2007). Reproductive and Child Health/Family Planning. Annual Reports, GHS.

Ghana Health Service (2003). Field Guide for the Ghana Immunisation Programmes. Ghana: Combert Impressions Ltd.

Ghana Statistical Service and Macro International Inc (GSS) (2008). Ghana Demographic Health Survey Report (GDHS). USA: ICF Macro Inc.

Ghana Statistical Service (2012). 2010 Population and Housing Census. Accra, GSS

Gething PW, Noor AM, Zurovac D, Atkinson PM, Hay SI, Nixon MS Snow R W (2004). Empirical modelling of government health service use by children with fevers in Kenya. Acta Tropica. Aug; 91(3):227-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2004.05.002

Kwambai TK, Dellicour S, Desai M, Ameh CA, Person B, Achieng F, Mason L, Laserson KF, ter Kuile FO (2013). Perspectives of men on antenatal and delivery care service utilisation in rural western Kenya: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13:134 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-134

McMeniman E, Holden L, Kearns T, Cluca DB, Carapetis JR (2011) Skin disease in the first two years of life in Aboriginal children in East Arnhem Land. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 52: 270–273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00806.x

Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (Undated). Ghana’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Policy Document. Ghana.

National Population Council (2010). State of Ghana Population Report: Investing in Young People- the Nation’s Precious Assets. NPC: Accra, Ghana.

Nardi DA, Pomee J (2003). Community Health and Wellness Needs Assessment: A Step by Step Guide. USA: Thompson Learning Inc.

Nwaniku PK, Kabiru EW, Mbugua GG (2002) Utilization of antenatal and maternity services by mothers seeking child welfare services in Mbeere district, Eastern Provence, Kenya. East African Medical Journal, Vol 79 No. 4. 184-187 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/eamj.v79i4.8875

Opoku JY (2002). A short guide to Research Writing in Social Sciences and Education. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Oslon DH, DeFrain J (2000). Marriage and the Family Diversity and Strengths. California: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Popple PR, Vecchiolla F (2007) Child Welfare Social Work. Boston: Allyn & Bacon

Starr C, McMillan B (2003). Human Biology (5th edn.). USA: Thomson learning Inc.

United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2011). World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, CD-ROM Edition Development Research Centre.

Varkevisser MC, Brownlee A, Pathomanathan I (1992). Designing and Conducting Health Systems Research Projects. Canada: International