Childhood Primary Health Care Practices In Selected Charitable Children’S Institutions Within Nairobi County

Abstract

Background: Kenya is currently home to over 2.6 million orphans and vulnerable children, majority of whom (40%), are as a result of Human Immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). More often these children end up in either foster care homes or charitable children institutions (CCIs) in a bid to provide them with collective primary healthcare. Recent studies have established that children in need of protection are particularly more vulnerable to diseases and malnutrition. Appropriate adoption of the eight primary healthcare (PHC) elements has been proven to be successful in delivery and provision of the appropriate care needed by these children. However, extent of delivery of these PHC elements among children of different age groups within CCIs has not been established making provision of age specific interventions a challenge. Objectives: Primary objective: To determine the proportion of children receiving the complete package of the essential five primary healthcare elements within CCIs in Nairobi County. Secondary objectives: To determine the proportions of children aged 6-24 months receiving individual elements within the essential package (, immunization, vitamin A supplementation, de-worming and HIV testing status) in selected CCIs within Nairobi County. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional approach has been preferred in this study. Data was collected from individual child’s files and anthropometric measurements of children was recorded. A structured questionnaire was separately administered to the CCI managers. Results: 12 CCIs were recruited in to the study. Majority of the children, 250 (64.4%), were aged 13 to 24 months and were male 199 (51.3%).The overall number of children who received the complete package of care (defined as up to date immunization status & known HIV status & Vitamin A supplemented in the last 6 months & deworming medicine given in the last 6 months & green MUAC category) was 85 (21.9%). Conclusion: There’s inadequate implementation of the primary healthcare elements to children in CCIs within Nairobi County. Keywords: PHC, CCIs, Orphans and Vulnerable, PHC Elements, Diseases and Malnutrition