Exploring the practice of the health care workers regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool (road to health card) in the eThekwini Metropolitan Area.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool which is commonly known as the road to health card (RTHC)for the under- fives. Methodology: Based on the positivist paradigm, a descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool also known as the road to health card (RTHC) for growth monitoring and promotion in EThekwini metropolitan area. Sampling was prepared in two stages; probability random sampling to obtain seventeen clinics and non-probability purposive sampling technique was followed to obtain the study‟s participants. Fifty-one self-developed, structured questionnaires were distributed of which forty were completed and returned. This was followed by conducting one hundred and seventy observations in the clinical areas, which means ten observations per clinic. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18) software. Findings: The average score for the respondents‟ knowledge regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP was 62%, and that score was classified as unacceptable according to this study. The participants‟ responses regarding their attitudes about GMP tended to favour statements that indicated good practices for the use of the RTHC. However, when GMP practices/activities were observed in the clinical areas, it became apparent that the answers provided in the instrument to rate the HCWs attitudes, were not a true reflection. Some of the practices observed were good, but the average score for the observations was69%, which was also classified as unacceptable. Conclusions: HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP activities were found to be unacceptable.