Quality of Health Care in Private Nursery Schools at Mansoura City

Abstract

Childhood is a unique period of rapid growth and development that requires a health system that promotes healthy development of the child. Preschoolers receive care in nursery schools while parents are unavailable due to work or other causes. The care must be affordable, reliable, and accessible. Health services for children exhibit numerous deficiencies in quality of care. The deficiencies are in all major domains of pediatric care, and preventive services. This study was carried out to monitor the quality of health care for preschoolers in private nursery schools. The study was conducted in 8 private nursery schools at Mansoura City by using a systematic random sample. The sample included 607 children, 8 nurses, 48 teachers, and 8 physicians. The data was collected by using two tools. The first tool was used to assess preschoolers' health problems and care provided via medical records. The second tool was used to assess teachers' and nurses' knowledge about preschoolers' health problems and management. An educational program was conducted for nurses and teachers concerning preschoolers' quality health care. The study revealed that there are significant differences in prevalence of preschoolers health problems in relation to educational program. There were significant differences in both nurses' and teachers' knowledge about care of preschoolers after the educational program. All physicians had only a diagnostic role and were not available all of the time. This study recommended that making a significant progress will require not only sustained attention by those concerned about improving child's health and healthcare, but also specific activities to build a broad base of support among the public and key healthcare decision markers.