PEDIATRICS Vol. 95 No. 5 May 1995, pp. 733-737
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Inadequate Basic Preventive Health Measures: Survey of Missionary Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Terry L. Dwelle MD, MPHTM1

1 Centre Medical Evangelique Nyankunde, Zaire, Africa

Objective. To determine the prevalence of basic preventive health measures for missionary children of sub-Saharan Africa.

Design. A retrospective survey of the immunization status, water and vegetable treatment, malaria prophylaxis and prevention, fluoride prophylaxis, immune globulin (human) prophylaxis, and preventive education was completed on 35 missionary children, aged 8 months to 17 years (7.3 year average), from several sub-Saharan African countries.

Results. Immunizations were incomplete in 91% of the children. Preventive measures were inappropriate for water treatment in 16%, cleaning of vegetables in 35%, malaria prophylaxis and prevention in 81%, fluoride prophylaxis in 84%, and immune globulin (human) prophylaxis in 94% of veteran children. Blood type was unknown in 86% and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase status was unknown in all children. Sixty seven percent of the children recently examined received no preventive education.

Conclusions. Missionary children of sub-Saharan Africa are not provided necessary preventive health services. Physicians and agencies working with these children must provide appropriate preventive health guidance and services.

Submitted on September 27, 1993
Accepted on August 24, 1994




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