GROWTH MONITORING KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION

Objectives: This paper aims at assessing the effect of a training prog ram on the knowledge, attitude and practices of health workers and mot hers regarding growth monitoring. Methods: This is a prospective case control study of random sampling of 405 mothers and 71 health workers (doctors and nurses), throughout health centers and communities in Al- Baha area of Saudi Arabia. Tests on knowledge, attitude and practices were held before, immediately after and 6 months following a training program on growth monitoring mounted by the investigators. Results: Re sults of the study have shown significant improvements in the knowledg e and practices of both health workers and mothers compared to the con trol groups. Conclusions: The training has led to the disappearance of the significant knowledge gap between doctors and nurses. The improve ments in mothers' practices are reflected in significant increases in the knowledge and frequency of visits to the health centers. The inves tigators credit the improvements to the training program and recommend its adoption by the national MCH program in Saudi Arabia. They also r ecommend supportive supervision and evaluation. Results of this and an other study by the author on the problems of use of growth charts affi rm that growth monitoring should continue to be part of primary health care in Saudi Arabia.