Aa Ramezani, M Miri, M Hanafi, H Zangooi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2009)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: vaccination is one of the most important index for disease prevention program. Therefore this study conducted to assess the coverage of vaccination program to identify the delay or disruption of program in 2005 year.
Methods: Health profiles (vaccination card) of children between 15-26 months assessed. We did interview with their mothers as well. This survey was conducted in rural and urban area in southern Khorasan province in Iran during 2005.
Results: The coverage of children and mother's vaccination were 96.7% and 71.1% respectively. The study findings showed that inadequate information about the arrangement of dosage, distance to health centre and feeling the necessity of vaccination were most factors for incomplete converge of vaccination program.
Conclusions: Based on study findings educational program to increase mothers awareness is recommended.
Aa Ramazani, Ss Raghebi, F Amirkhizi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2010)
Abstract
Background & Objective: High prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with mental and physical health of children is one of the important health problems in developing countries. The aim of this survey was to assess the nutritional status and related factors in 0-24 month-old children in South Khorasan province in Iran 2006.
Methods: Seven hundred children of 0-24 month-old in South Khorasan province were included in this survey. A designed questionnaires and face-to-face interview with the mothers were used in order to obtain the required information . In addition, weight (Wt) and height (Ht) of the children were measured and compared with standard charts issued by the American National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The nutritional status was determined based on weight for age (Wt/A), height for age (Ht/A), and weight for height (Wt/Ht) indices.
Results: Mean of children's age was 11.1 ± 7.8 month. Based on the Z-score, cut-off point under -2SD from median of the reference population (NCHS), 10.6% of the children were underweight (Wt/A), 5.3% stunted (Ht/A) and 11.6% wasted (Wt/Ht). A statistically significant relationship was found between indices of malnutrition and age and breastfeeding status of children. There was no association between gender and residence of children with their nutritional status.
Conclusion: With regard to prevalence of malnutrition in children, breastfeeding is highly recommended.
