Maternal and child health is affected by exposure to unhealthy living and working conditions, by increased exposure to health hazards, and by poor utilization of primary healthcare services. The objective of this operational study was to implement mobile primary healthcare services (MPHS) for migratory seasonal farmworkers. This study, conducted in Şanliurfa, Turkey, between March 2008 and April 2009, examined multiple stages of MPHS implementation in both a permanent settlement (336 children aged 5 and under; 580 women of reproductive age) and a working settlement (85 living units; 217 children and 257 women). The stages included: (1) identifying the problem, (2) identifying a potential solution and a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effect of intervention, (3) utilizing and disseminating results to stakeholders, and (4) implementing sustainable MPHS county-wide. Rates of selected outcome measures, including full childhood and tetanus vaccination, phenylketonuria screening, and safer usage of pesticides, iodine salt, and sanitary toilet facilities, increased significantly following the intervention in both the permanent and temporary settlements (P<0.05). The majority of cases of anemia (children: 16.6%, women: 17.8%) and parasitic infections (55.4%) were treated. The study results indicate that MPHS are necessary to ensure healthcare access for migratory farmworkers and to establish a stronger public health infrastructure for this risk group. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.

Turkey Mobile primary healthcare services Maternal and child health Farmworkers

health care planning health promotion methodology Follow-Up Studies follow up human middle aged health service Agriculture Turkey (republic) Occupational Health Services occupational health service Seasons Health Plan Implementation season Young Adult Humans Adolescent male preschool child Socioeconomic Factors female Child, Preschool socioeconomics Article manpower program evaluation adult migration health care quality Turkey Utilization Review child health care Child Health Services Transients and Migrants Maternal Health Services Health Services Accessibility primary health care health care delivery