88. The work of the Social Hygiene Health Visitors proved of value. Their duties consist of (1) tracing of contacts reported to the anti-V.D. section, and (2) follow-up of prostitutes who default from treatment. Contacts are reported by:
c.
*.
all branches of the armed forces,
clinic medical officers and other government
Medical officers, private practitioners.
89. During the year, 1946 contact notifications were received, of which 895 (47.2%) were received during the last four months of the year, and 747 visits were made by the health visitors. Successful identification was achieved in 17.9%
of contacts notified.
90. The follow-up of prostitutes who defaulted from treat- ment for syphilis was carried out in 111 cases. Success was achieved in 24 cases (21.6%). In over 66% of cases the patient had either changed her address or given a fictitions one. In 6 cases (5.4%) the patient did not act on the advice given by the health visitor.
91. A special effort was made to introduce a wider nublicity on Venereal Disease. The distribution of posters, leaflets etc. was extended and in addition special lectures and film shows were given to many large commercial firms and Government departments.
92. Two surveys and reports by W.FI.O. consultants in venereal diseases were made and many of the recommendations in both reports have been implemented.
Maternal and Child Health
93. The staff engaged on this work consisted of the Medical Officer-in-charge, 3 Medical Officers the Supervising and Train- ing Officer for Health Nurses and one health visitor, In addition, there were 28 health nurses, The number of clinics in operation during the year was 3. Attendances were very satisfactory and, in fact, were greater than could he adequately
18
dealt with, with the staff and accommodation available. Plans for the expansion of this work were developed and, with the assistance of W.H.O. and U.N.I.C.E.F. a degree of expansion will be effected in the near future.
94. The Maternal and Child Health medical staff, together with the Acting Supervisor and Training Officer of Health Nurses, attended a four weeks theoretical and practical obstetric course organized and conducted by the Obstetrical and Gynecological Department of Hong Kong University Faculty of Medicine in collaboration with the staff of the Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital.
95. Following their refresher course the doctors jointly with health nursing staff organized a three weeks refresher Emphasis was course for Government District Midwives. placed on techniques, the role of the midwife in health education and her liaison function between the family and Government and voluntary social services.
96. A vigorous drive was also organized to stimulate midwives in private practice to encourage pregnant women to seek ante-natal care earlier and more often. Midwives were requested to report the state of health during the neo-natal period of each infant delivered by them.
97. Midwifery Training Schools sent 57 pupil midwives to Health Centres for a one week health course. Welfare workers, teachers, social science students, teachers-in-training, senior school girls and others related to the health of the family unit attended specially prepared courses and paid observation visits. The total number of participants in this aspect of the pro- gramme was 1,230.
98. New attendances at Infant Welfare Sessions increased by 1,000 and revisits by 23,000. New ante-natal visits increased by 200 and revisits by 1,000. Health Nurses paid 11,160 home visita.
10