Inadequate basic preventive health measures: survey of missionary children in sub-Saharan Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of basic preventive health measures for missionary children of sub-Saharan Africa.


METHODS
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.
Dwelle
T L
TL
Centre Medical Evangelique Nyankunde, Zaire, Africa.
D000349:Africa; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D066189:Missionaries; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008921:Religious Missions; D012189:Retrospective Studies