How immediate and significant is the outcome of training on diversified diets, hygiene and food safety? An effort to mitigate child undernutrition in rural Malawi

Bibliographic Data

ID15090201
AuthorsSeetha Anitha (0000-0001-7393-5489, corresponding author), Anitha Seetha, Takuji W Tsusaka (0000-0002-9872-2436), Timalizge W Munthali (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Maggie Musukwa (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Agnes Mwangwela (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Zione Kalumikiza (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Tinna Manani, Tinna A Ng'ong'ola Manani (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Lizzie Kachulu, Nelson Kumwenda, Nelson C Kumwenda, Mike Musoke, P Okori (0000-0002-0185-2163)
Year2018
Volume21
Issue6
Pages1156-1166
Publication date2018-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980017003652
PMID29338801
OpenAlexW2782915461
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited26

Objective The present study examined the impacts of training on nutrition, hygiene and food safety designed by the Nutrition Working Group, Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group (CORE). Design Adapted from the 21d Positive Deviance/Hearth model, mothers were trained on the subjects of appropriate complementary feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, and aflatoxin contamination in food. To assess the impacts on child undernutrition, a randomised controlled trial was implemented on a sample of 179 mothers and their children ( Settings A 21d intensive learning-by-doing process using the positive deviance approach. Subjects Malawian children and mothers. Results Difference-in-difference panel regression analysis revealed that the impacts of the comprehensive training were positive and statistically significant on the Z -scores for wasting and underweight, where the effects increased constantly over time within the 21d time frame. As for stunting, the coefficients were not statistically significant during the 21d programme, although the level of significance started increasing in 2 weeks, indicating that stunting should also be alleviated in a slightly longer time horizon. Conclusions The study clearly suggests that comprehensive training immediately guides mothers into improved dietary and hygiene practices, and that improved practices take immediate and progressive effects in ameliorating children’s undernutrition

Body mass index · Environmental health · Hygiene · Malnutrition · Overweight · Positive deviance · Sanitation · Underweight · Wasting · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Nursing · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare

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