Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2022, Volume 34, Issue 3, Pages 1-8
http://doi.org/10.26715/jbms.34_3_1Muna Al Mohri1*, Hala Al Asoomi2, Batool Hasan3
1Consultant Family Physician, Chief of Mother and Child Health Services in Primary Healthcare Centers.
2Consultant Family Physician in Primary Healthcare Centers
3Family Physician in Primary Healthcare Centers
*Corresponding author: Dr. Muni Al Mohri, Consultant Family Physician, Chief of Mother and Child Health Services in Primary Healthcare Centers, Bahrain; Tel. No.: (+973)-39676748; Email: MMohri@health.gov.bh
Received date: October 13, 2021; Accepted date: April 06, 2022; Published date: September 30, 2022
Tables/Figures can be referred to in the PDF.
Abstract
Background: Preschool screening is one of the services provided by primary healthcare centers, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, for children aged 5 to 6 years. This service includes assessing growth and development parameters, which includes measuring hemoglobin levels, conducting vision examinations, and administering Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) tests. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of anemia, reduced visual acuity, and positive PPD tests, in children’s preschool screening.
Methodology: This survey was conducted in 25 primary healthcare centers, between the period of January to March 2020, with a total sample size of 2,637 children. Electronic preschool screening visit sheets, of children who attended the health centers for screening, were reviewed and evaluated.
Results: Out of the 2,637 records reviewed; anemia, reduced visual acuity, and positive PPD tests, were found in 19.9%, 4.7%, and 0.45% of children, respectively.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of reduced visual acuity and positive PPD tests was low. On the other hand, although the overall prevalence of anemia was also low, at about 20%, this can be reduced further by raising physicians’ adherence to anemia management guidelines, at earlier ages. Moreover, further studies are needed to assess the causes and risks of anemia in this age group.
Keywords: Bahrain, Preschool, Screening, Primary Healthcare Centers, Prevalence