| dc.description.abstract | Health development is a social issue of pressing
importance especially in the African setting. In
recognition of the fact that health and development
cannot be separated, the heads of state of the
organization of Africa have declared that ' health is
the basis of development' and also that 'health is a
pre-requisite for development'. Due to its role in
development the health sector has continued to be a
focus for international, national and community based
collaboration and support.
No nation can be said to have adequately met the
health needs of its people wholly, although some to a
larger extent are at a better position others. It is
in the light of this that the study endeavoured to
investigate the problem of health service provision in
Makongeni location which is a predominantly a low
income settlement.
Studies done elsewhere show that among the low
income people,the major health problems and causes of
death are largely due to environmental and social
economic deficiencies. The diseases suffered by many
are rooted in the ecology of poverty which hence can
only be conquered by eradicating their social-economic
and physical origins. The area of the study has a high
mortality rate of children below age five,
malnourished children are a common sight in the
villages. It has also had an outbreak of cholera and
typhoid. Cholera is seen as a disease of
underdevelopment, a flag of poverty and the
disadvantaged, and a living testimony of deficiencies
in water supplies, sanitation, food safety and public
hygiene (45th World Assembly Vol 12 No 2 1992). Looking
at the disease pattern in Makongeni location,the
health problems seem to have socio-economic and
environmental origins. It is in the light of this that
the study endeavoured to investigate the socialeconomic
and environmental factors as they affect the
health of the people.
The study examined how various socio-economic and
physical factors have influenced the health of the
population in Makongeni location. From the analysis of
the data collected, education was a very important
variable in influencing health behaviour of an
individual. Mortality and sanitation practices were
found to be related to education level of the
household head. Protected water sources were found to
be a good control measure against water transmitted
diseases. Housing was found to be in poor condition
for a healthy living.
The major findings of the study show that
solution to rural health problems must take into
account the most effective, cheap and available
approach in provision of health care. The concern
should move from conventional health care to a more
comprehensive approach which should encompass sectors
of agriculture, water supply housing, environment,
education and other heath- related sectors. This
calls for Community-Based Health Care. It is important
to develop skills to encourage and teach people to
share the responsibility for preventing disease,
promoting good health practices, and even some aspects
of caring for the poor. | en_US |
