ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH MONITORING SKILLS AMONGEST HEALTH WORKERS

Growth monitoring (GM) is an internationally accepted tool for early, detection of growth disorders and prevention of malnutrition. GM is a systematic process composed of five parts, weighing the child, drawing the growth chart and interpreting it, and consulting mothers about caring for their children with normal growth and also educate those whose children have abnormality with their growth..

To determine the growth monitoring skills of the health workers in health centers in west of Tehran. Design: This was a descriptive study in which the data were collected about GM skills of the health workers by directly observing them and indirectly asking the mothers whose children were monitored. Sample: 36 health workers from 24 health centers in west of Tehran were observed while monitoring 112 children.

Considering the five parts of growth monitoring process only one of the health workers scored 100% and did all parts correctly. 22.4% did non of the parts correctly. 75% had difficulty performing at least one of the five parts correctly.

GM is an important strategy in primary health care delivery. By highlighting the strengths and the weaknesses of the health workers in this study continuing education and also further evaluation of their performance in different areas and different levels are suggested.