*FARAH ASAD, **NAILA AZAM, **FAIZA SHAUKAT

ABSTRACT

Objective:Objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of primary healthcare amongst young females attending primary healthcare centers in Karachi East.

Material and Methods: This Cross- sectional study was carried out at Primary health care centers in Malir Cantt from April 2006 to September 2006. Out of a total 1800 households of lower grade government employees a convenient sample of 300 females aged 25 -35 years, married 8-10 years and attending various health care centers in Malir Cantt for at least five years were included in the study. A closed ended structured questionnaire was administered to the study participants and filled in by the interviewers themselves. Descriptive diferrential statistics (frequency and confidence interval) were calculated.

Results: The results of the study regarding Breast feeding and nutrition section showed that only 11% mothers started breast feed within 2 hours of delivery while 87% of them discarded colostrums as useless during initial breast wash. Bottle feeding and weaning was initiated within 4 months of baby's age in 73% and 86% of the respondents respectively. Thirty five percent respondents had some idea of hand washing as an important hygiene practice and 21% considered Oral rehydration salt (ORS) as an effective treatment of diarrhea in children and merely 9% knew about constitution of home based ORS. There were more than 3 children in 64% of families and 73% had narrow child spacing of less than 2 years. Only 17% had successfully used any contraceptive for full 2 years. Anti- anemic prescription was offered to 92% of antenatal women and only 31% complied with its usage. Only 32% mothers possessed complete and up-to-date EPI vaccination cards of their wards.

Key words: Primary health care, health education.

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

*Department of Community Health Sciences, KMDC & Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi.
** PNS Rahat