Maternal comprehension of growth charts in northeast Thailand
Hughson, H.C.; Egoramaiphol, S.; Pongpaew, P.; Changbumbrung, S.; Vudhivai, N.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 71(12): 666-670
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 3249171 Document Number: 306703
A simple method for preventing malnutrition is to monitor the growth of young children. If in the process of monitoring, growth is found to be deficient, actions can be taken to correct the problem. To this end, growth charts are prepared and distributed to health care centers, but if the mothers are not properly educated in their use, their value is lost. This article describes a study to demonstrate that education in the use of growth charts makes them more effective. The study was conducted in Northeast Thailand with 126 mothers with children under 60 months living in 4 villages. 2 villages were control groups and 2 others were to test the implementation value of growth charts and education in their use. The proportion of mothers understanding test chart increased from 21% in control villages to 75% in implementation villages. The education level of the mother did not seem to effect the study, but a community level, non-formal education program in the use of growth charts did seem to increase the mother's awareness of the value of growth monitoring.