Ora Toa Health Unit

Health Promotion

“I think it’s fantastic that WellChild is doing this sort of thing for our children”

-Child’s Caregiver

The “Tamariki Ora-WellChild Week” display, at the North City Plaza, was a complete success. The three day project, held May 11-13, promoted awareness of children’s health and raised the profile of health providers in the Porirua region. A diverse range of health information was made available to visitors and nurses were on-hand to answer questions. By the end of the third day the caregivers of over 500 infants and young children had visited the display and thirty-eight new referrals to services had been given.

The Tamariki Ora/WellChild presentation was situated on the lower level of the North City Plaza. A large standing sign, balloons, stickers and two free daily prize draw questionnaires attracted visitors to the information stand. Twenty-seven health pamphlets were available and a “How Much Fat In That!” exhibit (which showed the fat content of several common foods) was on display.

On approaching the tables visitors were invited to take any pamphlets which interested them, ask questions and enter the prize draws. This contact time allowed staff to discuss immunizations, dental checks, babies’ sleeping patterns, child car seats, and injury prevention as well as promote good nutritional choices and regular exercise. Staff members also promoted home and child safety information from the ACC as well as community health services provided by Maraeroa, Porirua Plus, and the Ora Toa Health Unit.

Visitors took advantage of the availability of the nurses. Inquiries were made about variety of topics and, as a result, a total of thirty-eight referrals were made for asthma, diabetes, dental checks, eczema, immunization, nutrition and physical activity. Most significantly, four referrals were made for babies who, until that point, did not have a WellChild/Tamariki Ora provider.

Unexpectedly, many school age children were also at the plaza during the event. The presence of these students gave staff a welcome opportunity to raise health awareness in a group of individuals who are sometimes difficult to contact. The students inquired about nutrition, diabetes, dental health and asthma. On the topic of food choices team members found that the students were already well informed. Despite being aware of the nutritional content of many common foods the students reported that they continued to make poor food choices. This observation is quite concerning in light of the growing number of overweight and obese young people in New Zealand.

“It’s great to see! Especially the fat content in food – eek! We need all the advice we can get, the more info the better.” -New Mother

Over the course of the three day “Tamariki Ora/WellChild Week” event many caregivers, parents and whanau visited the display. 289 written questionnaires were collected and countless questions were answered by the staff. The comments made by visitors, both in writing and verbally, were overwhelmingly positive. One caregiver summed up the event, writing that it was “nice to be reminded that other people care/help raise your children. Nice community spirit”.