Morbidity profile and physical health status of orphans and vulnerable children in selected orphanages in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) are prone to poor health outcomes when compared to other children in society. Aims: This study assessed the morbidity profile and physical health status of OVC in orphanages. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed and multistage sampling technique was used to select 384 OVC from the orphanages. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on morbidity profile while a head-to-toe assessment checklist and the body mass index (BMI) were used to assess their physical health status. Analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics at a significant level of 0.05. Results: Results showed that the most prevalent health problems experienced by OVC were headaches, respiratory infections, and malaria. The study further revealed that 44.8%, 29.9% and 25.3% of respondents had respectively fair, poor and good physical health. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of OVC have a fair and poor physical health status and the majority are underweight.