Social factors that may predispose infants and young children to acute malnutrition
This discussion topic is based on a recent publication in Disasters vol. 33.
After the Niger food crisis of 2004-2005, programs for community-based treatment of acute malnutrition found that the prevalence of acute malnutrition, although reduced from the level during the crisis, remained unacceptably high.
Katherine Hampshire and colleagues uncovered several harmful infant and young child feeding practices. These are
- The majority of mothers initiated breastfeeding late, failed to exclusively breastfeed, and stopped breastfeeding early
- A new pregnancy was the most common reason for early breastfeeding cessation, leading mothers to wean their children abruptly
- Complementary foods were dilute and contained large amounts of water
- Children older than 1 year fed themselves from a common plate, adults had little influence over what or how much children consumed.
- Moreover, the authors suggested that social factors influence decision-making about resource allocation for children and aggravate the situation.
We are discussing
- Factors associated with prevalence of acute malnutrition in your experience and country? Are they similar to the above?
- Are there other factors in your experience and local setting?
- What approaches have you used or can be used to address these problems?
Please share your experiences with other colleagues. You may not be directly involved with this but know people who work in this area and can contribute. Do forward to such people. Add you contribution or comments below
pls send me the katherine's complete study if possible.
Comment by vishal nadkarni,indore mp india — 2010-10-21 17:38 | # - re
Dear Vishal You can access the paper through this link http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/disa/2009/00000033/00000001/art00008. You may however have to buy the full paper. Thanks
Comment by reggie — 2010-10-26 14:56 | # - re
In addition to what Catherine Hamsphire and others identified as some social factors that predisposes infants and young children to acute malnutrition, negative cultural beliefs and practices also fuels the situation in Ghana. In certain traditional areas, especially in the northern part of Ghana children are denied access to meat and eggs - which are the best source of protein and essential nutrients, becuase it is their belief that such children may grow up to become thieves during adulthood. Again, not untill recently, colostrum was not given to children when they are first born in many rural northern Ghanaian communities unless certain 'traditional cleansing of the mother' took place...in the name of culture and tradition.
The bottom line approach to these issues is to strengthen behaviour change camapaigns in these areas
Comment by Robert Akparibo — 2010-03-27 14:39 | # - re
i need this review
Comment by dr shaimaa — 2010-03-15 09:57 | # - re