Uncategorized

JOB TITLE: MARKETING AND SALES EXECUTIVE

DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION

REPORTS TO:  MEDICAL DIRECTOR

INTERFACES WITH: Senior Management Team, Patients/ Clients and families, Ward in-charges, Nursing Staff, Multidisciplinary health team, Auxiliary staff,

 OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

To devise, develop and deliver a comprehensive strategic and tactical plan for business development, income generation and awareness-raising for KMCH. You will also help to raise the organisation’s media profile locally, regionally and international by defining and managing a new marketing, communication and customer care strategy.

 MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Marketing and Business Development

• Develop and deliver the strategy for KMCH’s new business development, marketing and sales, appropriate to the needs and responsive to opportunity, in close collaboration with the Hospital Management and Board of directors.
• Be responsible for communicating this strategy to all KMCH staff and board members.
• Align the strategy with that of the organisation and other programmes, seeking to maximise effectiveness through collaboration.
• Research into relationships that should be developed and manage effective partnerships with both existing and new key corporate partners, NGOs, government, media and funders.
• Developing and managing Marketing and Sales systems/models that are in line with the overall strategic objective
• Identifies trendsetter ideas by researching industry and related events, publications, and announcements; tracking individual contributors and their accomplishments.
• Locates or proposes potential business deals by contacting potential partners; discovering and exploring opportunities.
• Screens potential business deals by analysing market strategies, deal requirements, potential, and financials; evaluating options; resolving internal priorities; recommending equity investments.
• Develops negotiating strategies and positions by studying integration of new venture with company strategies and operations; examining risks and potentials; estimating partners’ needs and goals.
• Closes new business deals by coordinating requirements; developing and negotiating contracts; integrating contract requirements with business operations.
• Protects organization’s value by keeping information confidential.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments

2. Sales Section

• Monitored / evaluated sales-team’s performance – guided others towards achieving sales targets and established effective/scheduled sales reports.
• Formulated and implemented sales initiatives and marketing strategies as well as new and innovative marketing campaigns; tracked performance to achieve objectives and enhance organization effectiveness.
• Provided required training sessions to sales and marketing teams

3. Other Responsibilities

• Play an active role in the planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting of KMCH’s work.
• Ensure all activity is recorded accurately on KMCH databases and evaluated accordingly.
• Ensure all budgeting and follow up of project costs and negotiation of contracts is completed.
• Such other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.

  KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists in the development and implementation of the marketing and strategic plan for the company. Target marketing /sales strategy manual in first week of work
2. Increase on new client turnover in outpatient and inpatient by 15% per quarter in the next two years. Target specifically at 10 new clients – cash paying per week – 40 new clients per month
3. Maintain and increase on company/family /insurance clients by per quarter over the next 6 months. Target specifically contracting three new company /insurance clients per month over next 6 months.
4. Help increase the gross total income of the organization by 30 % per annum over the next two years.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

•  This position is a full time. Additional requirements for the person are   to be of integrity, be accountable, flexible, and innovative. He/ she should have good interpersonal skills. A good understanding of diversity is essential.  Other qualities include self-management, self-drive networking & team work; Capacity builder, mentor & role model for team mates.
• This position calls for one to have the ability to work under demanding deadlines and be able to multitask
• You will be expected to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.

 Download PDF here: marketing and sales executive job description

JOB TITLE: PHARMACIST

DEPARTMENT: PHARMACY

REPORTS TO:  MEDICAL DIRECTOR

INTERFACES WITH:  Patients/Clients, Multidisciplinary health team, auxiliary staff

OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

The pharmacist is responsible for the managing the quality preparation, safe storage and rational use of Medicines and other Health supplies. The pharmacist will be expected to maintain the standards of practice as per KMCL guidelines, ensure effective communication and work closely with other members of multi-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of holistic care to the patient.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Education Requirements – Degree in Pharmacy or its equivalent from a recognized Institution

Licensure: Must be registered and licensed with the Pharmacy Council of Uganda

Work experience:  At least 2 years’ experience as a pharmacist in a hospital setting.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Contributing to the planning and budgeting for pharmacy activities
2. Providing professional advice and support on all issues of pharmaceutical management
3. Requisitioning for hospital pharmaceutical needs
4. Preparing quality compounded medicines and infusions
5. Dispensing prescription and medications
6. Providing advice to Clinicians and other Health Professionals on prescriptions
7. Providing advice to patients on proper use and storage of medicines
8. Producing accountability for financial and other resources
9. Ensuring proper storage of medicines in the facilities
10. Monitoring and Maintaining adequate medicines supplies levels
11. Preparing and submitting periodic reports
12. Professional and Service codes of conduct and ethics enforced.
13. Any other duties and responsibilities as may be deemed fit by the supervisor

SKILLS AND ATTITUDES:

• Ability to multi task
• Planning, organizing and coordinating
• Records and information management
• Results oriented
• Accountability
• Ethics and integrity
• Concern for quality and standards
• Team player
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

• The pharmacist will be expected to work at all times within the Pharmacy Council of Uganda code of professional conduct and to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.
• You are required to adhere to the employment policies as per department guidelines and as per the KMCL Policy Manual.
• In view of the nature and the needs of the job, you must be physically able to work 8-12 hour shifts as assigned.

Download PDF here: pharmacist job description

JOB TITLE: ENROLLED NURSE

DEPARTMENT: As allocated

REPORTS TO: Registered Nurse, Team Leader, Nurse in-charge & Senior Staff Nurse

INTERFACES WITH: Patients/ Clients and families, Multidisciplinary health team

OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

The Enrolled nurse will work to provide a safe environment for patient care. She/ He will assist in patient care and other related duties as directed by the nurse in charge of the shift. He / She will be expected to maintain the standards of practice as per KMCH guidelines, ensure effective communication and work closely with other members of multi-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of holistic care to the patient

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES

• Education: Minimum – Certificate Enrolled Nursing/ Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse from a recognized School of Nursing in Uganda.
• Experience: Two years or more post qualification work experience in a hospital environment is desirable
• Licensure: Must be enrolled with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council and hold a current practicing license.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with all the multi-disciplinary team, patients and relatives.
• Critical thinking, insight and good decision- making. Competent in nursing knowledge and has up-to-date clinical skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

1. Be punctual and dependable for assigned work assignments, shifts and duties
2. Attend unit hand-over meetings
3. Act always in such a manner to promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of patients and clients
4. Perform all nursing duties in accordance with the UNMC Enrolled Nursing levels while adhering to all KMCL policies & procedures
5. Provide direct patient care, administering treatment as prescribed and monitoring vital signs.
6. Directly work with the medical officer and ensure that patient has been reviewed and new instructions promptly followed.
7. Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
8. Prepare patients for, and assist with, examinations and treatments.
9. Ensure team work and complete assigned tasks and seek for help from your seniors to ensure delivery of quality care to clients.
10. Attend scheduled unit CMEs as per the unit standard
11. Safely administer drugs following the KMCL policy on drug administration.
12. Competently use medical equipment for procedures as such as suctioning, oxygen therapy, and patient monitoring.
13. Communicating effectively with the multidisciplinary team, patients/clients and their relatives and friends.
14. Role modeling excellence in nursing practice and maintaining the standards of practice within KMCL
15. Maintenance of a safe and acceptable environment for patients and staff and taking appropriate action to ensure this
16. Reporting incidents/ accidents/ complaints to the nurse in charge. Be familiar with the inventory processes on the unit and check equipment as assigned.
17. Act in a supportive role to the Senior Staff nurse/in charge and to accept appropriate delegated responsibilities.
18. Wear appropriate & accepted uniform as per KMCL nurses uniform policy
19. Any other duties that may from time to time be assigned.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

• Enrolled nurses are expected to work at all times within the Ugandan Nurses and midwifery council code of professional conduct and to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.
• You are required to adhere to the employment policies as per department guidelines and as per the KMCL Policy Manual.
• In view of the nature and the needs of the job, you must be physically able to work 8-12 hour shifts as assigned.

Download PDF here: enrolled nurse job description

JOB TITLE: DISPENSER

DEPARTMENT: PHARMACY

REPORTS TO:  PHARMACIST

INTERFACES WITH:  Patients/Clients, Multidisciplinary health team, auxiliary staff

OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this job is to provide dispensary, drug storage & management services and education on the use of medication to patients & their care-takers. The Dispenser will be expected to maintain the standards of practice as per KMCL guidelines, ensure effective communication and work closely with other members of multi-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of holistic care to the patient.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES

• Education: Minimum – Diploma Pharmacy Technician/Dispenser
• Experience: Two years or more post qualification work experience in a hospital environment is desirable
• Licensure – Must be licensed as a Dispenser / Pharmacy Technician by the Pharmacy Council of Uganda
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with all the multi-disciplinary team, patients and relatives.
• Critical thinking, insight and good decision- making.
• Competent in records management, filing and archiving.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Key Result Areas

1. Be punctual and dependable for assigned work assignments, shifts and duties
2. Read, verify prescriptions and dispense drugs to patients in line with Ministry of Health (MOH) and KMCH policies
3. Count, pack, label pills & dispense medications to patients
4. Educate and counsel patients or their care takers on medication adherence, proper drug use, accurate measuring of syrups, drug adverse effects and drug-drug or drug-dietary interactions while dispensing drugs in line with the good Pharmacy practices
5. Plan for drugs at the pharmacy and monitor storage conditions on daily basis to prevent loss in quality and efficacy (FEFO- First Expiry First Out) in line with good storage practices
6. Maintain accurate records for the drugs ordered and dispensed on a daily basis and account for all drugs handled.
7. Submit reports to management as may be required over time
8. Carry out stock taking exercises in line with good stores practice.
9. Monitor the cleanness and organization of the Pharmacy/dispensing areas in line with the Good Pharmacy Practice
10. Prepare monthly reports to the supervisor in regard to the performance of the pharmacy
11. Attend departmental meetings
12. Act always in such a manner to promote and safeguard the confidentiality of patients and clients
13. Adhering to professional Code of conduct and Ethics.
14. Communicating effectively with the multidisciplinary team, patients/clients and their relatives and friends
15. Wear appropriate & accepted uniform as per KMCL uniform policy
16. Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor or designated representative as assigned from time to time

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

• Dispensers / Pharmacy technicians are expected to work at all times within Pharmacy Council of Uganda code of professional conduct and to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.
• You are required to adhere to the employment policies as per department guidelines and as per the KMCH Policy Manual.
• In view of the nature and the needs of the job, you must be physically able to work 8-12 hour shifts as assigned.

Download PDF here: dispenser job description

JOB TITLE: HUMAN RESOURCE AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION REPORTS TO:  MEDICAL DIRECTOR

INTERFACES WITH: Senior Management Team, Ward in-charges, Nursing Staff, Multidisciplinary health team, Patients/ Clients and families, Auxiliary staff,

OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

To set establish functional systems for HR and Administration at KMCH. To ensure that agreed systems are utilized and regularly revised to meet the highest standards in accordance with the organizational strategy. To manage the employee- employer relations, and the matching benefits. To manage the general administration of the organization while ensuring that the human resources are enhanced and operate to ensure that the organizational goals and objectives are achieved. To ensure that systems adhered to by the team and that are regularly reviewed for continuous improvement that meet the highest standards in accordance with the organizational strategy.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES

Education: A Degree in Human Resource, Public Administration or business related studies. A Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources from a recognized Institution or a master’s degree in health service management or related field is desirable.

Experience: At least 5-years professional experience in human resource and administrative systems management, preferably with demonstrable experience in managing human resource.

• Proven experience of HR & or systems management within the health sector or tertiary institutions or commercial business sector an advantage.
• Strong leadership and management skills. Experience in designing, implementing & evaluating performance management systems.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of human resource function an advantage
• Applicants must have good communication, written & spoken English.
• Computer skills: Proficiency in Internet, web-based operations, current software applications and experience in use of HR data base tools (an advantage).
• Understanding of Ugandan Public Sector workplace statutes is a requirement.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Human Resource Function:

1. Provide overall guidance and leadership to the KMCH on issues of Human Resource including: Personnel recruitment & orientation; Maintenance and updating of personnel files, time sheets, personnel data; annual & other leaves in accordance with KMCH guidelines.
2. Coordinate the development, review and sign off of the KMCH HR Strategy & Key Policies; Staff Handbook, HR Manual, Chronic Illness, HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy, Gender & Diversity policy, in accordance with the legal framework of Uganda.
3. Ensure the internal communication & understanding of employment policies, benefits, institutional values & rules; use staff meetings as forums for internal dialogue on HR issues. Provide guidance on grievance management & personnel disciplinary procedures per KMCH Policy Manual
4. Use coaching & mentoring to strengthen human resource functions such as line management roles, accountability, performance management system and its use; staff training & development needs
5. Support and work with the KMCH finance & management team on staff salaries & benefits, staff welfare including annual salary surveys, & other personnel statutory issues
6. Drawing up employment contracts and ensuring that they are adhered to.
7. Setting up fair and standard recruitment methodology for the organization
8. Ensuring that background checks are fully conducted before, during and in rare cases; after recruitment/ placement of staff.
9. Communicating/ educating the human resources on their terms of contract
10. Managing the appraisal process through line managers
11. Supporting line management in HR related issues, like disciplining
12. Developing a sufficient leave management system/ procedure
13. Arbitration between line managers/ departmental heads, and their employees in accordance with the employment laws
14. Resolving disciplinary issues that escalate from line management
15. Ensuring the safe custody and update of the employee files
16. Developing a database for the HR department, especially for employees
17. Work with the Director to set and ensure payment of competent salary range and benefits and compensation to employees
18. Ensuring that payments and benefits (like NSSF) are duly made in reasonable time in conjunction with the accounts department
19. Monitoring and directing support staff to ensure that the organization operations are smooth (for example customer care, security etc.)
20. Reporting periodically as may be required
21. Reporting on areas of improvement and participating in setting the general direction and or management of the organization

Administration function: 

22. Overall manager of the administration team structures; you shall be accountable for smooth office operations, control of recurrent consumables, and maintenance of utilities e.g. water/plumbing, electrical installations, physical works.
23. Lead the review, formulation & utilization of standard procedure guides /manuals, for the efficiency of the office logistics and operations, including control of assets & vehicles
24. Ensure administrative team commitment to continuous business improvement and quality management through mentoring of the team to deliver on quality standards efficiently, as well as training & communication to staff in general for adherence to standards & procedures
25. Oversee legal requirements of KMCH linked to contracts, insurance & other administrative systems.
26. Contribute to KMCH strategic planning & other duties as assigned by the supervisor

SKILLS AND ATTITUDES 

• Good knowledge of the Employment Laws of Uganda
• Planning, organizing and coordinating skills
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• Team work and people management skills
• Report writing skills
• Financial management
• Ethics and integrity

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

• This position is a full time. Additional requirements require for the incumbent to be of integrity, be accountable, flexible, and innovative. He/ she should have good interpersonal skills. A good understanding of diversity is essential. Other qualities include self-management, self-drive networking & team work; Capacity builder, mentor & role model for team mates.
• This position calls for one to have the ability to work under demanding deadlines and be able to multitask.
• You will be expected to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.

Download PDF format here: Adminstrator job description

JOB TITLE: CASHIER

DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION

REPORTS TO:  ACCOUNTANT

INTERFACES WITH: Administrative staff, Multidisciplinary health team, Patients/ Clients and families

OVERALL JOB SUMMARY

The accounts assistant will maintain books of Account, and produce and submit accurate financial statements/information at KMCH in accordance with the financial regulations.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Education:  A Diploma in Accounting (preferably ATC or UDBS) or their equivalent

At least Part 2 of an internationally Recognized Professional Accounting Body (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, etc.) would be desirable

Experience: At least 2 years’ experience in an accounting and administrative role Required Knowledge:

• Principles and practices of required accounting principles, and records management.
• proficiency in MS Office applications
• Knowledge of an accounting software Special Knowledge
• Charts of Accounts and the subsidiary accounts
• Knowledge of the routine of the accounts office
• Handling of cash both within the office and on the way to office or bank and at the bank
• Management of cash and Cheques, receipts and payments
• Effective control of sensitive documents which include cheque books, receipt books, vouchers; and the petty cash records.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Administration
   • file and maintain accounts records
   • Maintain back up folders
   • code documents
   • Issue and regulate petty cash amounts.

2. Accounting
3. Enter invoices in the system
4. Pay vendors in a timely manner
5. Process cheques and other payments
6. Print and disperse draft invoices to client managers
7. Disperse the final invoices to the client
8. Prepare the monthly payroll
9. Maintain the fixed assets register
10. Call debtors
11. Calculate billing statements
12. Prepare and submit tax forms

3. Reporting

• Generate and or prepare accounting reports/documents for review by your supervisor

4. Other:
   • Any other duties and responsibilities as may be deemed fit by your supervisor

Skills and attitude required:

• Have good numerical/mathematical skills
• Ability to bond with and work in a team.
• Good communication skills – verbal and written
• Honesty and integrity
• problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• strong work ethic
• Initiative
• stress tolerance
• Possess a professional attitude
• Highly organized.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

• This position is a full time. Additional requirements require for the incumbent to be of integrity, be accountable, flexible, and innovative. He/ she should have good interpersonal skills. A good understanding of diversity is essential. Other qualities include self-management, self-drive networking & team work; Capacity builder, mentor & role model for team mates.
• This position calls for one to have the ability to work under demanding deadlines and be ab le to multitask
• You will be expected to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH Policy Manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.

Download the PDF format here: cashier job description

Job Title: Chief Accountant

Department: Administration

Reports to:  Medical Director

Interfaces with: Senior Management Team, Ward In-Charges, Nursing Staff, Multidisciplinary Health Team, Patients/ Clients and Families, Auxiliary Staff,

Supervises:  The Accountant, Accounts Assistant, Cashiers, Etc.

Overall Job Summary

The chief accountant will provide financial and accounting services in accordance with the financial regulations. The chief accountant will ensure that all financial records at KMCH are accurately written, properly maintained and regular/periodic returns properly compiled and submitted to the medical director he/she will establish functional systems for accounting at KMCH. To ensure that agreed systems are utilized and regularly revised to meet the highest standards in accordance with the organizational strategy.

Required skills & competencies

Work experience: at least 3-5 years of professional experience involving the application of the principles of finance and accounting at a managerial or supervisory level.

• Education requirements: a degree in accounting, BCOM / BBA /BSc (accounting or finance major) or their equivalent; plus
• Full membership of internationally recognized professional accounting body (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, etc.)

Required knowledge:

• Principles and practices of organization, planning, records management and general administration.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office and internet
• Proficiency in different accounting packages like QuickBooks, sage pastel, and tally
• Prior knowledge and experience in the medical field is an added advantage.

Skills and attitude:

• Ability to multi task
• Excellent problem analysis and problem-solving skills
• Excellent it and numerical abilities
• Planning and organizing
• Decision-making
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Supervisory skills
• Self-motivation
• Initiative and the ability to work as part of a team

Main tasks and responsibilities

1. Administration/ management

• Strategic analysis and supporting strategic planning
• Developing and managing financial systems/models that are in line with the overall strategic objective
• Enforcing financial strategies and regulations

2. People management

• Managing finance, and accounting teams, and ensuring efficiency and accuracy in their workflows.
• Implementing measures for staff improvement in your department
• Prepare and effect staff payments in time

3. Budgeting and reporting

• Collating, preparing and interpreting reports, budgets, accounts, and financial statements within the required time periods
• Reporting to stakeholders and board members
• Controlling income, cash flow and expenditure
• Answer/ report to all audit queries and inquiries

4. Other

• Preparing and reconciling bank statements to iron out discrepancies with other accounts documents especially cash books
• Any other duties and responsibilities as may be deemed fit by the medical director

Functional Statement

• This position is a full time. Additional requirements require for the incumbent to be of integrity, be accountable, flexible, and innovative. He/ she should have good interpersonal skills. A good understanding of diversity is essential. Other qualities include self-management, self-drive networking & team work; capacity builder, mentor & role model for team mates.
• This position calls for one to have the ability to work under demanding deadlines and be ab le to multitask
• You will be expected to observe safety measures as outlined in the KMCH policy manual, which you are required to read and refer to as necessary.

Download the PDF format here: accountant job description

People with malaria give off a distinctive “breath-print” that could be used as a test for the disease, according to American scientists.

They had already tried out a crude prototype breathalyser in Africa, a tropical medicine conference heard.

The test was reasonably good at detecting cases in children, but needs developing to become a routine device.

One of the odours it sniffs out is identical to a natural smell that attracts insects that spread malaria.

Pine trees and conifers emit these terpenes to summon mosquitoes and other pollinating insects, say the researchers, from Washington University in St Louis.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

They believe people with malaria who have this odour in their breath may also attract mosquitoes and infect more of the biting insects, which can then spread the disease to other people that they bite.

Although the test needs perfecting, it could offer a new cheap and easy way to help diagnose malaria, Prof Audrey Odom John and colleagues say.

Distinct odour

The prototype breath test detects six different odours or volatile organic compounds to spot cases of malaria.

The researchers tried it on breath samples from 35 feverish children in Malawi, some with and some without malaria.

It gave an accurate result in 29 of the children, meaning it had a success rate of 83%.

This is still too low for the test to be used routinely, but the researchers hope they can improve its reliability and develop it into an off-the-shelf product.

Simple, rapid blood tests for malaria are already available, but they have limits, say the Washington University researchers.

Testing blood can be expensive and technically challenging in rural settings.

A non-invasive method of detection that does not require blood samples or technical expertise could be of great benefit.

Prof James Logan from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said: “The rapid detection of asymptomatic malaria is a challenge for malaria control and will be essential as we move towards achieving the goal of malaria elimination. A new diagnostic tool, based on the detection of volatiles associated with malaria infection is exciting.”

He said more work was now needed to see if it could be made into a reliable test.

The findings are being presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-41820346

A strong and loving bond with parents may help protect kids’ health for decades, a new study suggests. A well-off home also benefits long-term health, but only if the children also have a warm and healthy relationship with their parents, the Baylor University study found.

“Previous research has associated high socioeconomic status with better childhood nutrition, sleep, neighborhood quality and opportunities for exercise and development of social skills. But good parent-child bonds may be necessary to enforce eating, sleep and activity routines,” researcher Matthew Andersson said in a university news release. Andersson is an assistant professor of sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, in Houston.

In 1995, he asked more than 2,700 adults between the ages of 25 and 75 how their parents had treated them during childhood. Roughly a decade later, almost 1,700 participants completed follow-up surveys, allowing Andersson to examine their health during middle-age.

His conclusion: Childhood abuse or mistreatment offsets the health advantages of growing up in a well-off home.

The benefit of strong parent-child bonds may also be undermined by low socioeconomic status, the study found. Previous studies have suggested that parents with less education and less financial security are more likely to use force or threats with their kids, which may weaken the bond between them.

Children who are mistreated or lack warm relationships with their parents also have higher rates of inflammation and disease as adults, the study found.

Andersson said children in strained or abusive homes may also lack regular meal times, increasing the likelihood they will eat sugary or high-fat snacks instead of healthy foods.

They are also less likely to have regular sleep and activity schedules that would help them develop habits that are important for healthy aging, according to the study.

“Much research continues to view socioeconomic status and parent-child bonds as highly related or even interchangeable. But in fact they may quite independently influence a child’s well-being,” Andersson said.

“The key takeaway is that without adequate parent-child relationship quality to match, socioeconomic advantage during childhood may not offer much protection at all against major chronic disease as children become adults and reach middle age,” he said.

The study findings were published Sept. 20 in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Source: http://www.health.com/family/close-bond-between-kids-parents-has-long-term-health-benefits