 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
AliceAnn Crandall, BS, MPH (c), Department of International Health, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (909) 796-8187, aliceannc@hotmail.com, Shobha Arole, MBBS, Comprehensive Rural Health Project, PO Jamkhed, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, 413 201, India, Jayakaran Job, MD, DrPH, Department of International Health, Epidemiology and Preventive Medecine, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA CA 92354, and Pramil Singh, DrPH, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA CA 92354.
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project is a community-based primary health care and development program implemented in the Jamkhed community development block of India, one of the poorest regions of Maharashtra state. Its focus is on preventing disease at the community level using local resources. CRHP’s approach is three-tier: the community which involves the village health worker and women's and men's clubs and is the focal point of the project; the mobile health team whose primary role is to support the VHW and facilitate health and development activities; and the hospital and training center.
A research project was undertaken in October to December 2002, to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and illness among children under five in fifteen project-served villages. The data revealed that malnutrition in children is less than 15% compared to over 50% for all of India. Prevalence of common childhood illnesses was also lower among CRHP-served villages where only 3 cases of tuberculosis and 1 case of bronchopneumonia were found. The most common illnesses were colds, coughs, and fevers. Immunization rates were 99% for measles, DPT, and OPV vaccines. Rates of malnutrition were higher for females than for males (19% compared to 9%), but the pattern of illness was similar for both genders. Most children who were sick in the two weeks prior to the administration of the survey received treatment from non-CRHP associated doctors.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Child Health, Community-Oriented Primary Care
Related Web page: www.jamkhed.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Jamkhed (India) is the organization with whom I conducted this research project with.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.