Browsing by Author "Dada, Ebrahim."

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Community awareness of GOBI-FFF and its implementation in two urban communities
(1985) Dada, Ebrahim.
The health picture in the developing world is still very bleak. The varlOUS Black populations of South Africa (be they Africans, Indians or Coloureds) are part of this developing world. In a total world population of 4,607 million (of which 75 % are in the developing world); there are 10.3 million annual infant deaths (0-11 months) (of which 97 % are ln the developing countries); and 4.3 million annual child deaths (1-4 years) (of which 98 % are in the developing countries).*l The infant mortality rate (IMR) (infant deaths per 1,000 live births) in 1980 for the developing countries as a whole, and for Southern Africa specifically is 100; as compared to the IMR of 20 for developed countries. South Africa has an IMR of 90 (1982). However, a few relatively simple and inexpensive methods could enable parents themselves to bring about a revolution ln child survival and development. The idea that could make this revolution possible is primary health care. The vehicles that could make this revolution achievable are the spread of education, communications and social organization. The techniques which could make this revolution affordable even with very limited resources, are growth monitoring, oral rehydration therapy, breast-feeding and immunization (GOBI). These four principle life line techniques are low-cost, available now, achieve rapid results and a l most universally relevant. They involve people in taking more responsibility for their own health, and thus promote primary health care. In combination they offer an even greater degree of protection against the synergistic alliance of malnutrition and infection which is the central problem of child health and child development today. *3 In addition, three other changes-female education, family spacing and food supplementation (FFF) are also among the most powerful levers for raising the level of child survival and child health. Although more costly and more difficult to achieve, these changes in the lives of women are of such potential significance that they must also now be count ed among the breakthrough in knowledge which could change the ratio between the health and wealth of nations. *3 However, against this information is the stark reality that only up to 15 % of the world's families are using oral rehydration therapy (ORT), the revolutionary low-cost technique for preventing and treating diarrhoeal dehydration, the biggest single killer of children in the world. *4 This then rai ses the vital question that although the potential for child survival and a healthy and normal child development is there, to what extent is the average mother aware of and implementing these cost-effective methods of GOBI-FFF in her own situation? These questions are thus addressed in this study in an African and an Indian urban communities ln Natal/Kwa Zulu.
Outpatient catchment populations of hospitals and clinics in Natal/KwaZulu.
(1987) Dada, Ebrahim.
Catchment populations and cross-boundary flow characteristics of health facilities in Natal and KwaZulu have not previously been determined. As this information is essential to objective health service planning the present study was undertaken. Utilization. cross-boundary flow and catchment populations were determined in 1986 for each hospital and clinic in Natal and KwaZulu. All of the 61 hospitals and 178 clinics in Natal and KwaZulu which are operated by the public sector were included in the study. The ratio of clinics-to-hospitals was 2.9 1. The overall average population per hospital and clinic was 106775 and 36591 respectively. The size of the catchment populations of hospitals varied from 334972 to 272 and of clinics from 253159 to 877. Factors associated with these variations are discussed. Inter-regional cross-boundary flow of patients varied appreciably. The greatest influx of patients was experienced by the Durban sub-region where the teaching hospital is situated while the greatest influx of patients was experienced in the Port Shepstone sub-region. Attendance rates per person per annum. according to racial group, were 0.9, 2.1, 1.7 and 0.8 respectively for Blacks, Coloureds, Indians and Whites. Recommendations in respect of the distribution of health facilities and the routine collection and use of health information relevant to the management process are submitted.