Abstract

PIP: A systematic program to improve health and survival for the 6651 preschool children in Hanover Parish, Jamaica began in 1973. Regular anthropometric surveillance ensured early identification of malnourished children in whose homes nutritional advice was then provided. In addition some children were provided with supplemental dried skim milk and basic medical care. The program was begun in the eastern half of the parish in 1974; it was thus possible to observe sequential decline in the prevalence of malnutrition and mortality. 10.9% of the children in the eastern section were considered to be malnourished at the start of the program in 1973; by 1974 that figure was 5.9% and the number in the west where the program was just beginning was 13%. By 1975 the prevalence in both sections was about 6.4%. In addition the mortality rate was 14.5/1000 before the program and 6/1000 afterwards, a drop of 60%. Other factors which might have influenced these conditions were not found to be significant. These tests confirm earlier findings in Jamaica that even a simple program such as this could provide substantial improvement of child health in rural areas of developing countries.