Inadequate basic preventive health measures: survey of missionary children in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

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.