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P Hennart

Publications and source records attributed to P Hennart.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

[Community health workers are capable of determining reliably the target population for health programs].

The target population is a key concept for the planning and evaluation of health services. However, in developing countries, health professionals in the field are often uneasy with the determination of the population denominator. In Zaire, where reliable demographic data are hardly available, we make use of two different methods aimed to the determination of the size of the target population: (1) an exhaustive population based survey performed by trained interviewers, and (2) a rapid census of the target population performed by community health workers. This paper presents both the results of a demographic survey organized in 1984, and two consecutive census performed by community health workers in 1986 an 1988, in the same area (Northern-Kivu, Zaire). Our results suggest that community health workers under close supervision are able to perform rapidly and at low cost a reliable collection of the demographic data needed for the implementation and monitoring of health programmes at the local level.

Adolescent

The causal model approach to nutritional problems: an effective tool for research and action at the local level.

Reported are the results of a case study from Kirotshe rural health district, Northern Kivu, Zaire, where a workshop on the causal model approach to nutrition was organized in 1987. The model has since been used in the field for research design, training of health professionals, nutrition intervention, and community development. The rationale behind this approach is reviewed, the experience accumulated from Kirotshe district is described, and the ways in which the causal model contributes to comprehensive health and nutrition care are discussed. The broad range of possible policy implications of this approach underlines its usefulness for future action.

Child, Preschool

The health of mother and child in rural Central Africa.

In the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa, the population suffers from severe proteo-caloric malnutrition, with adverse affects on maternal and child health. Improvement of maternal nutrition would lead to rapid consecutive pregnancies, reducing the length of time each child could be breastfed and reducing the protein available to each child. Hence, the authors recommend modern birth spacing methods in combination with programs to improve the health of mother and child.

Adolescent