A M E R I C A N U N I V E R S I T Y O F A R M E N I A - CHSR
A M E R I C A N U N I V E R S I T Y O F A R M E N I A - CHSR
A M E R I C A N U N I V E R S I T Y O F A R M E N I A - CHSR
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Abstract<br />
Rationale and main goal: The Children’s Health Care Association (CHCA) conducted a health<br />
and nutritional survey among children aged 2-9 in 5 villages of the Noyemberyan region of<br />
Tavoush Marz, Armenia. CHCA sought to identify the main predictors of health as a key toward<br />
preventing disease.<br />
Design and methods: The cross-sectional analytical study enrolled 497 participants using a<br />
cluster convenience sampling design. For the analysis of the secondary data, the analytic sample<br />
was restricted into 421. Instruments were developed to systematically record caretaker, provider,<br />
and laboratory/clinical assessments.<br />
Results: SPSS and EpiInfo-2000 software were used to analyze the data. The most important<br />
predictors of health were higher family socioeconomic status (SES), maternal employment, and<br />
better children’s nutritional status. All other factors examined (maternal education and age,<br />
duration of breastfeeding, and family size) were confounded by SES and hemoglobin level.<br />
Conclusions: The findings suggest that programs that improve SES, nutritional status, and<br />
regional medical support will have the most impact on health. The World Bank/Government of<br />
Armenia Poverty Reduction Strategy already seeks to improve SES. Parental health education<br />
programs and integrated early childhood development strategies, including integrated<br />
management of childhood diseases (IMCI) and improved nutritional status of children, coupled<br />
with expanded screening programs and improved diagnostic support are still needed.<br />
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