scholarly journals A qualitative study of mothers’ health literacy related to malnutrition in under 5-year-old children in southern Mozambique

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Leona Lindberg ◽  
Inocência Nhambongo ◽  
Tacilta Nhampossa ◽  
Khátia Munguambe ◽  
Gunilla Priebe
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
District Hospital ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Qualitative Exploratory Inquiry ◽  
Exploratory Inquiry

Abstract Objective: To explore mothers’ perceptions of malnutrition and its causes in U-5’s in Mozambique, as well as their ability to recognise, prevent and act on signs of malnutrition. Design: A qualitative exploratory inquiry using focus group discussions and individual interviews analysed using Nutbeam’s health literacy themes. Setting: Manhiça District Hospital in Manhiça, Mozambique. Participants: Mothers of U-5’s (n 53) attending the in- and out-patient paediatric wards. Results: Different malnutrition literacy levels were identified in mothers’ responses. Mothers’ reflections on the causes of malnutrition in U-5’s were more elaborate compared to those of recognition, prevention and treatment strategies. Only severe forms of acute malnutrition were recognised by mothers, while early signs of undernutrition and stunting largely went undetected or unmentioned. Limited knowledge, time and financial resources were mentioned as contributors to suboptimal practices resulting in malnutrition. The district hospital, rather than community resources or local health posts, was indicated as the place mothers would go to seek advice and treatment for malnutrition. All mothers requested additional information on how to prevent and treat malnutrition. Conclusions: The varying literacy levels among mothers, the lack of references to community health workers as a resource in identifying and managing malnutrition, and the identification of poverty and sociocultural conditions as contributors to suboptimal practices indicate the need for in-depth research focused on the social determinants of malnutrition. A more comprehensive understanding of mothers’ health literacy would contribute to the development of holistic programmes aiming to improve community management of malnutrition.

scholarly journals Feedback assessment from the audience as part of health literacy training for health professionals: a case from Fukushima after the nuclear accident

2021 ◽  
pp. 014664532110109
Author(s):  
A. Goto ◽  
Y. Yumiya ◽  
K. Ueda
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Literacy Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Face

Following the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011, a series of health literacy training workshops for local health workers was developed and implemented. This study aimed to analyse who among the intended audience gained the greatest benefit from the training. Nine health workers attended a workshop consisting of classroom training and a follow-up feedback assessment of materials they created in the workshop. The materials were assessed by a total of 131 intended readers. Using Sakai’s tool, those items asking readers to rate the accessibility of written information were used to compare the materials before and after revision. The total score for Sakai’s measure showed a significant improvement, and the elderly and those without regular doctor visits were more likely to notice improvements after revision. Such health literacy training could serve as a model programme to prevent inequity in access to health information in the face of a regional health crisis.

scholarly journals Examining local perspectives on the influence of climate change on the health of Hamer pastoralists and their livestock in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Lumborg ◽  
Samuel Tefera ◽  
Barry Munslow ◽  
Siobhan M. Mor
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Grazing Lands

AbstractThis study explores the perceived influence of climate change on the health of Hamer pastoralists and their livestock in south-western Ethiopia. A combination of focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with Hamer communities as well as local health workers, animal health workers and non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff. Thematic framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Reductions in rangeland, erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and loss of seasonality were perceived to be the biggest climate challenges influencing the health and livelihoods of the Hamer. Communities were travelling greater distances to access sufficient grazing lands, and this was leading to livestock deaths and increases in ethnic violence. Reductions in suitable rangeland were also precipitating disease outbreaks in animals due to increased mixing of different herds. Negative health impacts in the community stemmed indirectly from decreases in livestock production, uncertain crop harvests and increased water scarcity. The remoteness of grazing lands has resulted in decreased availability of animal milk, contributing to malnutrition in vulnerable groups, including children. Water scarcity in the region has led to utilisation of unsafe water sources resulting in diarrhoeal illnesses. Further, seasonal shifts in climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria were also acknowledged. Poorly resourced healthcare facilities with limited accessibility combined with an absence of health education has amplified the community’s vulnerability to health challenges. The resilience and ambition for livelihood diversification amongst the Hamer was evident. The introduction of camels, increase in permanent settlements and new commercial ideas were transforming their livelihood strategies. However, the Hamer lack a voice to express their perspectives, challenges and ambitions. There needs to be collaborative dynamic dialogue between pastoral communities and the policy-makers to drive sustainable development in the area without compromising the values, traditions and knowledge of the pastoralists.

scholarly journals Context matters in understanding the vulnerability of women: perspectives from southwestern Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neema Murembe ◽  
Teddy Kyomuhangi ◽  
Kimberly Manalili ◽  
Florence Beinempaka ◽  
Primrose Nakazibwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Extreme Poverty ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
The People ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Southwestern Uganda

Abstract Background Vulnerability at the individual, family, community or organization level affects access and utilization of health services, and is a key consideration for health equity. Several frameworks have been used to explore the concept of vulnerability and identified demographics including ethnicity, economic class, level of education, and geographical location. While the magnitude of vulnerable populations is not clearly documented and understood, specific indicators, such as extreme poverty, show that vulnerability among women is pervasive. Women in low and middle-income countries often do not control economic resources and are culturally disadvantaged, which exacerbates other vulnerabilities they experience. In this commentary, we explore the different understandings of vulnerability and the importance of engaging communities in defining vulnerability for research, as well as for programming and provision of maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) services. Methodology In a recent community-based qualitative study, we examined the healthcare utilization experiences of vulnerable women with MNCH services in rural southwestern Uganda. Focus group discussions were conducted with community leaders and community health workers in two districts of Southwestern Uganda. In addition, we did individual interviews with women living in extreme poverty and having other conventional vulnerability characteristics. Findings and discussion We found that the traditional criteria of vulnerability were insufficient to identify categories of vulnerable women to target in the context of MNCH programming and service provision in resource-limited settings. Through our engagement with communities and through the narratives of the people we interviewed, we obtained insight into how nuanced vulnerability can be, and how important it is to ground definitions of vulnerability within the specific context. We identified additional aspects of vulnerability through this study, including: women who suffer from alcoholism or have husbands with alcoholism, women with a history of home births, women that have given birth only to girls, and those living on fishing sites. Conclusion Engaging communities in defining vulnerability is critical for the effective design, implementation and monitoring of MNCH programs, as it ensures these services are reaching those who are most in need.

scholarly journals Impact of Different Levels of Supervision on the Recovery of Severely Malnourished Children Treated by Community Health Workers in Mali

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
Pilar Charle-Cuéllar ◽  
Noemí López-Ejeda ◽  
Mamadou Traore ◽  
Adama Balla Coulibaly ◽  
Aly Landouré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Supportive Supervision ◽  
Supervision Group ◽  
Different Levels

(1) Background: The Ministry of Health in Mali included the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) into the package of activities of the integrated community case management (iCCM). This paper evaluates the most effective model of supervision for treating SAM using community health workers (CHWs). Methods (2): This study was a prospective non-randomized community intervention trial with two intervention groups and one control group with different levels of supervision. It was conducted in three districts in rural areas of the Kayes Region. In the high supervision group, CHWs received supportive supervision for the iCCM package and nutrition-specific supervision. In the light supervision group, CHWs received supportive supervision based on the iCCM package. The control group had no specific supervision. (3) Results: A total of 6112 children aged 6–59 months with SAM without medical complications were included in the study. The proportion of cured children was 81.4% in those treated by CHWs in the high supervision group, 86.2% in the light supervision group, and 66.9% in the control group. Children treated by the CHWs who received some supervision had better outcomes than those treated by unsupervised CHWs (p < 0.001). There was no difference between areas with light and high supervision, although those with high supervision performed better in most of the tasks analyzed. (4) Conclusions: Public policies in low-income countries should be adapted, and their model of supervision of CHWs for SAM treatment in the community should be evaluated.

scholarly journals Medication understanding and health literacy among patients with multiple chronic conditions: a study conducted in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Imtiaz Rahman ◽  
Farina Aziz ◽  
Sumaiya Huque ◽  
Sadia Afruz Ether
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Chronic Condition ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Multiple Chronic Condition ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Reduce Medication Error

Objectives: Medication understanding is critical for patients who suffer from multiple chronic conditions in order to reduce medication error and is often associated with poor health outcomesand low adherence. This study aims to identify the gap of medication knowledge among multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh, in order to aid physicians and other healthcare providers in improving health literacy.Methods: Individual interviews of a convenience sample of multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh were heldwhere they were asked a number of questions for assessing medication related literacy.Results: More than 26% patients failed to cite the brand name of all their prescribed medications while the rate of patients not knowing the generic names was far worse (88.1%). Nearly 1 out of every 4 patients did not know the purpose of all their medications and more than half of the participants (55%) did not know the strengths of their drugs. While knowledge about medication routes and regimen was satisfactory, awareness regarding risk factors of medicine was lowest of all. Only 1 out of every 4 patients had a habit of reading drug information leaflet. Patient’s ability to correctly state the purpose of their medication seemed to be positively associated with age (p=0.004) and negatively associated with number of medicines taken (p=0.03).Conclusions: Many patients demonstrated poor health literacy regarding medication. Routine review of medications from physician or health provider can significantly improve their health literacy, leading to better treatment outcome and medication adherence.

scholarly journals Control of Aedes aegypti in a remote Guatemalan community vulnerable to dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus: Prospective evaluation of an integrated intervention of web-based health worker training in vector control, low-cost ecological ovillantas, and community engagement

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Gerard Ulibarri ◽  
Angel Betanzos ◽  
Mireya Betanzos ◽  
Juan Jacobo Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Worker Training ◽  
Integrated Intervention

Objective: To study the effectiveness of an integrated intervention of health worker training, a low-cost ecological mosquito ovitrap, and community engagement on Aedes spp. mosquito control over 10 months in 2015 in an urban remote community in Guatemala at risk of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus transmission. Methods: We implemented a three-component integrated intervention consisting of: web-based training of local health personnel in vector control, cluster-randomized assignment of ecological ovillantas or standard ovitraps to capture Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs, and community engagement to promote participation of community members and health personnel in the understanding and maintenance of ovitraps for mosquito control. The intervention was implemented in local collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Programme, and in international collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico. Findings: Eighty percent of the 25 local health personnel enrolled in the training programme received accreditation of their improved knowledge of vector control. Significantly more eggs were trapped by  ecological ovillantas than standard ovitraps over the 10 month (42 week) study period (t=5.2577; p<0.05). Among both community members and health workers, the levels of knowledge, interest, and participation in community mosquito control and trapping increased. Recommendations for enhancing and sustaining community mosquito control were identified. Conclusion: Our three-component integrated intervention proved beneficial to this remote community at risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. The combination of training of health workers, low-cost ecological ovillanta to destroy the second generation of mosquitoes, and community engagement ensured the project met local needs and fostered collaboration and participation of the community, which can help improve sustainability. The ovillanta intervention and methodology may be modified to target other species such as Culex, should it be established that such mosquitoes carry Zika virus in addition to Aedes.

scholarly journals Attitudes toward Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs in Caregivers of Children with Moderate–Acute Malnutrition Younger than 5 Years in Denpasar, Bali: A Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-474
Author(s):  
K. Desak Ketut Dewi Satiawati ◽  
Pande Putu Januraga
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Supplementary Food ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Nutrition Assistance Programs ◽  
Moderate Acute Malnutrition

Background: Providing additional nutriment represents one strategy for overcoming moderate–acute malnutrition (MAM) in children younger than 5 years. However, it is important to examine how well received such Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) are by caregivers in order to ensure optimal results. Objective: This study explores SNAP’s reception by caregivers of MAM children younger than 5 years. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 16 selected caregivers and 5 Nutritional Executives from October to November, 2016 at 4 health centers in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. The results are presented to highlight the underlying patterns of SNAP’s acceptance. Results: Overall, the informants responded negatively to SNAP, reporting that it was of limited usefulness. The results show 4 main themes relating to the receipt of SNAP. The first relates to the caregiver’s preferences in terms of the types of supplementary food on offer. Second, caregiver’s perceptions that the child was not, in fact, in a state of illness or disease due to a medical issue. Third, that the caregiver does not require supplementary food as they maintain that they are able to buy it independently. Fourth, factors related to the lack of support for health-care workers working with malnourished children. Conclusion: The study finds that strengthening the role of health workers in terms of enabling them to effectively communicate the benefits of supplementary food to caregivers as well as adjusting the range of foods available according to the recipient’s preferences is critical in overcoming malnutrition in children younger than 5 years.

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