Reasons for Mothers' non-response to a letter requesting them to bring their child to Alexandra Health Centre

Abstract

The paediatric staff at Alexandra Health Centre take specimens for laboratory testing. If 'the results are positive and the child has not received the required care, a letter requesting the mother to bring the child back to the clinic id delivered by the clinic driver. The response rate was only 49%. All 46 non-responders were visited in their homes to determine the reasons for their non-response. The non-responders were divided into 3 main groups. Twelve (26%) were not known at the address that appeared on their clinic record, 18 (39%) had not received the letter although they lived at the address that appeared on their record. and 11 (24%) had received the letter but failed to respond to it. The main reasons given for not returning were that the mother could get off work or that the child was better. To increase the return tare, greater care should be taken in getting the addresses, in delivering letters and in explaining the need to return both at the time of taking the specimen and in the letter requesting a return visit.