Continuous Survey on Child Health Assessed by Medical Checkups in Deprived Areas of the Philippines

The aim of this study is to evaluate the current status of child health in deprived areas of the Philippines and to investigate the influence of poverty on health outcomes. Children and parents belonging to a preschool leaning center in Malabon city participated in this study over a five-year period. A questionnaire survey answered by parents concerning characteristics, child-rearing anxieties, and hygiene was undertaken. Kaup index was measured and medical checkups were performed by Japanese medical staff. The ratio of underweight children was 0%-3.8%, while those with obesity were 2.4%-7.7%. The ratio of students with dental caries was 54.8%-74.4%. Parents had various child-rearing anxieties. Poverty affected the Kaup index, caries, and hygiene. It is suggested that children in deprived areas had problems of nutrition, earwax plugs, caries, and hygiene and there might be an influence from poverty on health outcomes.