London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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27
Afternoon and evening sessions were held. Posters, leaflets and handbills
this year incorporated a new design to attract attention, and, as in
previous years, a press release was issued. House to house distribution
of leaflets was arranged by the Public Relations Officer and various
clubs and factories were circularised to display relevant literature.
Experience has shown that attendances are low when the caravan is
sited on housing estates and therefore a market venue in Ridley Road
was arranged. The other two sites Hackney Town Hall (forecourt), Mare
Street, E.8. and St. Paul's Church (forecourt) Evering Road, N.16.
remained unchanged because of good attendances in previous years.
A comparison of attendances with previous years is shown below:-
| Year | Attendance | Length of Visit | Average Weekly Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 491 | 4 weeks | 123 |
| 1970 | 397 | 5 weeks | 79 |
| 1969 | 1,064 | 9 weeks | 118 |
There was a thus slightly higher weekly average than the successful
campaign in 1969.
It was once again interesting to ascertain the source of information from the women who attended and the table below compares the past 2 years.
| 1970 | 1971 | |
|---|---|---|
| Posters and leaflets | 90 | 116 |
| Site of caravan | 75 | 67 |
| Local press | 52 | 93 |
| Child Health Centres etc. | 42 | 30 |
| Friends | 19 | 36 |
| General practitioners | 7 | 13 |
| Not stated | 112 | 136 |
| 397 | 491 |
A total of 118 disorders were detected as follows:-
Breasts 7
Genital system
Vulva 1
Vagina 29
Cervix 48
Uterus 11
Abdomen and perineum 10
Urinary system 5
Miscellaneous 7
118