An assessment by nurses and mothers of a 'Road-to-Health' Book in the Western Cape.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa mother-retained 'Road-to-Health Book' (RTH book) for children, and an electronic calculator. DESIGN Researchers D Harrison (DH) and H Harker (HH) informed clinic staff about the contents and significance of the RTH book. They requested nurses to use this book in conjunction with the Road-to-Health Card and to issue and explain its use to every visiting client. The use of an electronic calculator that plotted horizontal centile and Z-score charts was demonstrated and explained. To determine the relevance of the book and the electronic calculator, nurses involved in the study for 6 months were given three standardised descriptive questionnaires with 'yes', 'no' and 'don't know' responses. Clients were traced and interviewed by the researchers after 6 - 12 months to obtain their views on the book. SETTING Clinics that provided children with healthcare in 24 locations in the Western Cape Province participated in the study. The children lived in informal settlements, in low-, middle- and high-income residential areas, and on farms in the Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Paarl regions. SUBJECTS One hundred and fourteen nurses were enrolled in the study as well as 581 clients to whom the RTH book was issued. OUTCOME MEASURES The use of and comments on the RTH book by nurses and clients were based on analysis of the questionnaires. RESULTS The majority of nurses (81.6%) and clients (96%) found the RTH book useful. The horizontal and Z-score growth charts and electronic calculator were less acceptable because their use was time-consuming and less well understood. CONCLUSION The RTH book with appropriate modifications should be issued to clients in place of the current Road-to-Health card and educational material.