Environmental conditions affecting the health of children in early childhood care and education (ecce) programs in Kinondoni municipality, Dar es salaam.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Despite the increase of reports on poor health care management to children around the globe, little is still known about environmental conditions that affect health of children enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programs in the country. This study therefore was designed to assess the environmental conditions affecting the health of children enrolled to ECCE Programs inKinondoni Municipality, Dar es Salaam. The aim was to assess the level of implementation of national ECCE standards in registered ECCE programs, specifically by; describing the physical environment of these Programs in respect to required standards that affecting health of the enrolled early age children. Methods Cross-Sectional Quantitative study was conducted in 27 Wards of Kinondoni Municipality using a structured questionnaires and observation checklist. Using trained research assistants data was collected from 152 teachers of 52 ECCE programs in the Municipality. Programs’ supervisors at both national and local Government level were also interviewed. Results The study indicated that, environment conditions of studied Programs’ in the Municipality is not good enough for health development of enrolled children in respect to required national standards. Out of 52 studied programs, only 50% were located in safer locations (away from main roads, public services):37% had poor ‘size and safe playground for children’ while 37% had no ‘playground’ at all. 69% had poor status of the ‘available toilets’ and only29% had ‘clean and safe toilets for children use’. Moreover, 82% of interviewed teachers were aware of general national ECCE Programs’ Environmental Conditions: but unfortunately, high proportional of these 82% teachers were misinformed with standards for children healthy learning. Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusively, the study revealed many challenges on Programs’ environment conditions; and teachers’ competence as basing on set national ECCE standards. The government through the ECD/ ECCE committee must mitigate addressed challenges by mainstreaming health required standard to main ECCE programs. And all teachers are also recommended to be well trained and attend to refresher courses.