9.3.1 Components of EOS/CHD
Activities undertaken as part of EOS/CHD include vitamin A supplementation, deworming, screening for acute malnutrition, social mobilisation for routine immunization and the promotion of infant and young child feeding. The opportunity is sometimes used to provide insecticide-treated nets. Screening for acute malnutrition is done only in food insecure woredas where there is a TSF programme. The overall objective is to enhance child survival by reducing mortality and morbidity in children under five years of age. Your role as a Health Extension Practitioner is therefore critical in supporting this objective.
This section will help you to consider the practical aspects of planning and undertaking EOS/CHD. As EOS/CHD contains many components, you will not be able to deliver the service alone. As a Health Extension Practitioner you will work with additional volunteer community health workers. The number of volunteers depends on the number of services given in EOS/CHD. Table 9.2 below summarises the target group and frequency of EOS/CHD.
| Components of EOS/CHD | Target group | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EOS | CHD | ||
Vitamin A supplementation | Children six-59 months | Six-monthly | Six-monthly |
Deworming | Children 24-59 months | Six-monthly | Six-monthly |
Screening for acute malnutrition | Children six-59 months Visibly pregnant women Lactating mothers | Six-monthly | Three-monthly |
Social mobilisation for routine immunization | Age group for routine immunization | Six-monthly | Three-monthly |
Promotion of infant and young child feeding | Families of under-five children | Six-monthly | Three-monthly |
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) | Households with under-five child or pregnant woman or lactating mother | Once in three years for long lasting nets | Once in three years for long lasting nets |
9.3 Enhanced Outreach Strategy/ Child Health Days (EOS/CHD)