Perceptions towards management of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers in northern Kenya.
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Child undernutrition is a persistent challenge in arid and semi-arid areas due to low and erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and food insecurity. In these settings, caregivers face several challenges in accessing health services for sick and/or malnourished children, including long distances to health facilities, harsh terrain, and lack of money to pay for transportation costs to the health facilities, leading to low service coverage and sub-optimal treatment outcomes. To address these challenges and optimize treatment outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends utilizing community health volunteers (CHVs) to manage acute malnutrition in the community. This study explored the perceptions of community members regarding acute malnutrition treatment by CHVs in Turkana and Isiolo counties in Kenya. The study utilized a cross-sectional study design and included a purposive sample of caregivers of children, CHVs, officers who trained and supervised CHVs and community leaders in the intervention area. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to explore perceptions towards the management of acute malnutrition by CHVs. Generally, caregivers and CHVs perceived the intervention to be beneficial as it readily addressed acute malnutrition treatment needs in the community. The intervention was perceived to be acceptable, effective, and easily accessible. The community health structure provided a platform for commodity supply and management and CHV support supervision. This was a major enabler in implementing the intervention. The intervention faced operational and systemic challenges that should be considered before scale-up. Keywords: community health volunteers, community management of acute malnutrition, integrated community case management, acute malnutrition, wasting.
Authors: Elizabeth Wambui1, Calistus Wilunda1, Hermann Pythagore Pierre Donfouet1,2, Bonventure Mwangi1, Taddese Alemu Zerfu1,3, Tewoldeberha Daniel4, 4UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya, Olivia Agutu5, 5UNICEF Kenya County Office, Nairobi, Kenya, Betty Samburu6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Daniel Kavoo6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Lydia Karimurio6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Pilar Charle Cuellar7, 7Action Against Hunger, London, United Kingdom, Emily Keane8, 8Save the Children UK, London, United Kingdom, Lilly Schofield8, 8Save the Children UK, London, United Kingdom, James Njiru9, 9 Save the Children International, Nairobi, Kenya., Martin Chabi10, Lucy Gathigi Maina5, 5UNICEF Kenya County Office, Nairobi, Kenya, Peter Okoth5, 5UNICEF Kenya County Office, Nairobi, Kenya, Judith Raburu5, 5UNICEF Kenya County Office, Nairobi, Kenya, Grace Gichohi6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Alex Mutua6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Charles Matanda6, 6Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Elizabeth Kimani-Murage1
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4406183424