Health needs of a place of safety for children in Kingston Metropolitan (Glenhope Nursery)

This cross-sectional study was based on determining the health needs of children at a place of safety in Kingston metropolitan namely Glenhope Nursery. The level of care being provided for the children at the institution as well as the children's physical, mental and social health status were determined. The institution suffered from overcrowding and shortage of caregivers and was inadequate in meeting some of the children's needs. The most important need of the children as perceived by the caregivers (83 percent) was "someone to talk to". All the caregivers (n=18) stated that of the needs that were not adequately addressed by the institution the physical need was most outstanding. The high prevalence of common illnesses (skin infection, ear, nose and throat infection and upper respiratory infection) indicate that overcrowding was a contributing factor. The Denver II Development Screening Test showed that 88 percent of the children had a language development problem and that a significant amount of the children had personal - social and motor development problems. Anthropometry revealed that there was a moderately high level of malnutrition. The dietary survey showed that the diet was deficient in some nutrients while excessive in others. Because of the small population of caregivers and children whatever significant association was made could not be considered as being final (AU)

Health needs of a place of safety for children in Kingston metropolitan (Glenhope Hospital)

This cross-sectional study was based on determining the health needs of children at a place of safety in Kingston metropolitan namely Glenhope Nursery. The level of care being provided for the children at the institution as well as the children's physical, mental and social health status were determined. The institution suffered from overcrowding and shortage of caregivers and was inadequate in meeting some of the children's needs. The most important need of the children as perceived by the caregivers (83 percent) was "someone to talk to". All the caregivers (n=18) stated that of the needs that were not adequately addressed by the institution the physical need was most outstanding. The high prevalence of common illness (skin infection, ear, nose and throat infection and upper respiratory infection) indicate that overcrowding was a contributing factor. The Denver II Development Screening Test showed that 88 percent of the children had a language development problem and that a significant amount of the children had personal - social and motor developmental problems. Anthropometry revealed that there was a moderately high level of malnutrition. The dietary survey showed that the diet was deficient in some nutrients while excessive in others. Because of the small population of caregivers and childern whatever significant association was made could not be considered as being final.(AU)