Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION UNITS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN BAGHDAD CITY

Dr. Ban Yousef Yaaqoob*, Dr. Shatha Kadhem Abd-alkareem and Dr. Ahmed Hasan Radhi

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion.[1] Under nutrition involving major deficiencies in calories, protein, vitamin A, iron, folic acid and iodine presents one of the most important public health problems in the developing countries of the world.[2] The persons affected are mostly preschool children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. To prevent or minimize the problem, various nutrition intervention programmes have been introduced, from time to time, in different countries which connected with the primary health care services.[3] Objective: evaluate the qualification of knowledge about nutritional health care and its application and to determine the equipment and tools are used inside this units and assurance from existence records and services that are offered from this unit beside to make sure the specify certification of nutrition fit with their duties, and their participation in clinical training courses. Subject and methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at 50 randomly selected (multistage sample) primary health care centers (PHCC) in Baghdad governorate. The data collection continued for period starting from 7th November 2016 till 15th January 2017, daily and sometimes convenient. (PHCC) in Baghdad governorate the data collection continued for period starting from 7th November 2016 till 15thJanuary 2017, daily and sometimes convenient. The place of study was in Baghdad governorate (Al-Karkh and Al- Russafa) 48 primary health centers. Results: The most common indicators show high level of assessment (66.7-100%) and moderate (33.4-66.6%) and just one indicator shows low level of assessment (0.00-33.3%). Conclusion: The average of assessment on nutrition unit was high.

Keywords: Nutrition unit.