scholarly journals Optimal design for a psychosocial intervention on severely acute malnourished children in humanitarian settings: results of an expert survey

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1073
Author(s):  
Dieynaba S N'DIAYE ◽  
Cécile Salpéteur ◽  
Cécile Bizouerne ◽  
Karine Le Roch
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Design ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Combined Intervention

Background: Common psychosocial interventions focus on feeding, stimulation, emotional responsiveness and childcare and parenting. Inclusion of such a component in the outpatient management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) children is recommended. However, clinical assessment of such interventions is tedious in humanitarian settings and modalities evidence on the impact of psychosocial interventions alongside nutrition protocol for SAM is scarce.  This survey aimed to gather expert opinions on the optimal design of a combined psychosocial and nutrition intervention feasible in humanitarian settings. Methods: From March to May 2018, an online survey was emailed to international experts in nutrition and mental health and psychosocial support, mainly from academia and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs). It included multiple choices questions on the key components of an optimal combined intervention. Results: Of the 76 experts targeted, 20 responded. 11 (55%) belonged to INGOs, 2 (10%) to academia, and 4 (20%) to international organizations and donors. For most respondents, a combined intervention should be provided in weekly 45-minuites counselling sessions, provided individually (rather than in a group) and at home (rather than at a health center). None of the proposed ideal duration (two, four or six months) gained the majority of votes. Experts thought that 35% staff training should be in “Active listening for psychosocial support”, and 30% in “Early child development”, 25% in “Maternal depression” and 9% in “Anthropometric measurements”. They estimated that a combined intervention could improve SAM recovery rate by 10% (min-max: 0-19%) vs. the nutritional protocol alone. Qualitative results highlighted the importance of tailoring the intervention to the individual, the population and the settings; as well as considering feasibility and scalability at the design stage. Conclusion: These findings could guide further research on the impact of psychosocial interventions on SAM children’s health and development, and help designing innovative approaches to treat undernutrition.

scholarly journals Acceptability of Outpatient Ready-To-Use Food-Based Protocols in HIV-Infected Senegalese Children and Adolescents Within the MAGGSEN Cohort Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecile Cames ◽  
Marie Varloteaux ◽  
Ndeye Ngone Have ◽  
Alhadji Bassine Diom ◽  
Philippe Msellati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Intervention Design ◽  
Moderate Acute Malnutrition

Objectives: To assess the acceptability of ready-to-use food (RUF)-based outpatient protocols in HIV-infected children and adolescents with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Methods: Plumpy Nut and Plumpy Sup were supplied every 2 weeks and prescribed by weight to SAM and MAM children, respectively. Forty-three children, 24 MAM and 19 SAM, were enrolled. Organoleptic appreciation, feeding modalities, and perceptions surrounding RUF were recorded at week 2. Sachets were counted to measure adherence throughout the study. Results: Median age was 12.2 years (interquartile range: 9.3-14.8), and 91% were on antiretroviral treatment. Overall, 80%, 76%, 68%, and 68% of children initially rated RUF color, taste, smell, and mouth feeling as good. However, feelings of disgust, refusal to eat, fragmentation of intake, self-stigma, and sharing within the household were commonly reported. Eighteen MAM and 7 SAM experienced weight recovery. Recovery duration was 54 days (31-90) in MAM versus 114 days (69-151) in SAM children ( P = .02). Their rate of RUF consumption compared to amount prescribed was approximately 50% from week 2 to week 10. Nine failed to gain weight or consume RUF and were discontinued for clinical management, and 9 dropped out due to distance to the clinic. Conclusion: Initial RUF acceptability was satisfactory. More than half the children had successful weight recovery, although adherence to RUF prescription was suboptimal. However, further research is needed to propose therapeutic foods with improved palatability, alternative and simpler intervention design, and procedures for continuous and tailored psychosocial support in this vulnerable population. Trial registration: NCT01771562 (Current Controlled Trials).

scholarly journals Improving mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in humanitarian settings: reflections on research funded through R2HC

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wietse A. Tol ◽  
Alastair Ager ◽  
Cecile Bizouerne ◽  
Richard Bryant ◽  
Rabih El Chammay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Major knowledge gaps remain concerning the most effective ways to address mental health and psychosocial needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises. The Research for Health in Humanitarian Crisis (R2HC) program aims to strengthen humanitarian health practice and policy through research. As a significant portion of R2HC’s research has focused on mental health and psychosocial support interventions, the program has been interested in strengthening a community of practice in this field. Following a meeting between grantees, we set out to provide an overview of the R2HC portfolio, and draw lessons learned. In this paper, we discuss the mental health and psychosocial support-focused research projects funded by R2HC; review the implications of initial findings from this research portfolio; and highlight four remaining knowledge gaps in this field. Between 2014 and 2019, R2HC funded 18 academic-practitioner partnerships focused on mental health and psychosocial support, comprising 38% of the overall portfolio (18 of 48 projects) at a value of approximately 7.2 million GBP. All projects have focused on evaluating the impact of interventions. In line with consensus-based recommendations to consider a wide range of mental health and psychosocial needs in humanitarian settings, research projects have evaluated diverse interventions. Findings so far have both challenged and confirmed widely-held assumptions about the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial interventions in humanitarian settings. They point to the importance of building effective, sustained, and diverse partnerships between scholars, humanitarian practitioners, and funders, to ensure long-term program improvements and appropriate evidence-informed decision making. Further research needs to fill knowledge gaps regarding how to: scale-up interventions that have been found to be effective (e.g., questions related to integration across sectors, adaptation of interventions across different contexts, and optimal care systems); address neglected mental health conditions and populations (e.g., elderly, people with disabilities, sexual minorities, people with severe, pre-existing mental disorders); build on available local resources and supports (e.g., how to build on traditional, religious healing and community-wide social support practices); and ensure equity, quality, fidelity, and sustainability for interventions in real-world contexts (e.g., answering questions about how interventions from controlled studies can be transferred to more representative humanitarian contexts).

Current and Potential Role of Specially Formulated Foods and Food Supplements for Preventing Malnutrition among 6- to 23-Month-Old Children and for Treating Moderate Malnutrition among 6- to 59-Month-Old Children

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3_suppl3) ◽  
pp. S434-S463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia de Pee ◽  
Martin W. Bloem
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Food Supplements ◽  
Complementary Food ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Child Malnutrition ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
Animal Source ◽  
The Impact

Reducing child malnutrition requires nutritious food, breastfeeding, improved hygiene, health services, and (prenatal) care. Poverty and food insecurity seriously constrain the accessibility of nutritious diets that have high protein quality, adequate micronutrient content and bioavailability, macrominerals and essential fatty acids, low antinutrient content, and high nutrient density. Diets based largely on plant sources with few animal-source and fortified foods do not meet these requirements and need to be improved by processing (dehulling, germinating, fermenting), fortification, and adding animal-source foods, e.g., milk, or other specific nutrients. Options include using specially formulated foods (fortified blended foods, commercial infant cereals, or ready-to-use foods [RUFs; pastes, compressed bars, or biscuits]) or complementary food supplements (micronutrient powders or powdered complementary food supplements containing micronutrients, protein, amino acids, and/or enzymes or lipid-based nutrient supplements (120 to 250 kcal/day), typically containing milk powder, high-quality vegetable oil, peanut paste, sugar, and micronutrients. Most supplementary feeding programs for moderately malnourished children supply fortified blended foods, such as corn–soy blend, with oil and sugar, which have shortcomings, including too many antinutrients, no milk (important for growth), suboptimal micronutrient content, high bulk, and high viscosity. Thus, for feeding young or malnourished children, fortified blended foods need to be improved or replaced. Based on success with ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) for treating severe acute malnutrition, modifying these recipes is also considered. Commodities for reducing child malnutrition should be chosen on the basis of nutritional needs, program circumstances, availability of commodities, and likelihood of impact. Data are urgently required to compare the impact of new or modified commodities with that of current fortified blended foods and of RUTF developed for treating severe acute malnutrition.

scholarly journals Association between severe acute malnutrition during childhood and blood pressure during adulthood in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: the Lwiro cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pacifique Mwene-Batu ◽  
Daniel Lemogoum ◽  
Laurène de le Hoye ◽  
Ghislain Bisimwa ◽  
Michel P. Hermans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dichotomous Variables ◽  
Lowering Drug ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Little is known about the long-term outcomes of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) during childhood. As such, this study aims to explore the association between childhood SAM and blood pressure (BP) in adulthood in a context without nutrition transition. Methodology We identified 524 adults (Median age: 22 years) who were treated for SAM during childhood in Eastern DRC between 1988 and 2007. They were compared with 407 age-and-sex matched subjects with no history of SAM in the community. The variables examined for this study were the systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean (MBP) blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure (PP), as well as high blood pressure (HBP) defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and/or use of BP-lowering drug(s) in adulthood. For comparison, linear and logistic regression models were used for analysing continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Results Of the 524 exposed located, 145 were selected according to age. A total of 97 unexposed were recruited. Compared to unexposed, exposed had slightly higher SBP and PP after adjusting for occupation, body mass index (BMI) and food consumption [SBP = 1.4 mmHg (− 2.2, 4.8) and PP = 2.6 mmHg (− 0.3, 6.0)]. However, their DBP was lower than that of the unexposed [− 1.6 mmHg (− 4.6, 1.5)]. MBP and creatinine levels were similar between the two groups. The prevalence of HBP adjusted for age was higher among exposed than unexposed (9.7% vs 5.3%). In addition, the odds of having HBP was higher among exposed than unexposed, however the observed difference was not statistically significant [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9 (0.7, 5.6)]. Finally, using multiple regression analysis, although the effect was not significant, SAM was a major contributor to HBP [adjusted OR 3.1 (0.9,10.9), p = 0.064], while only male gender and higher BMI (overweight/obesity) emerged as independent predictors of HBP among this young study population. Conclusions This study suggests that an episode of SAM in childhood has a weak impact on BP variability in young Congolese adults (from DRC) living in an environment without nutrition transition. However, people who experienced a period of SAM tended to have a higher prevalence of HBP and a much higher risk of developing HBP than unexposed. Additional multicentre studies involving a larger cohort would provide greater understanding of the impact of SAM on the overall risk of BP disorders during adulthood.

scholarly journals Follow-Up Survey of the Impact of COVID-19 on People Living with HIV during the Second Semester of the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4635
Author(s):  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela ◽  
Stijn Van Hees ◽  
Pieter Vanholder ◽  
Patrick Reyntiens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 affects persons living with HIV (PLWH) both directly (via morbidity/mortality) and indirectly (via disruption of HIV care). From July–November 2020, an online survey was conducted to investigate the psychosocial well-being of PLWH and changes in HIV care during the second semester of the COVID-19 outbreak. Data were collected on the socio-demographic characteristics of PLWH, their psychosocial well-being, impact of COVID-19 preventive measures on their daily routines and HIV follow-up. Of the 247 responses analyzed (mean age: 44.5 ± 13.2 years; 73.7% male), 67 (27.1%) and 69 (27.9%) respondents screened positive for anxiety (GAD-2 score ≥ 3) and depression (PHQ-2 score ≥ 3), respectively. HIV care had returned to pre-COVID-19 state for 48.6% PLWH, and 108 (43.7%) had no HIV follow-up during the past month. Over three quarters (76.1%) of respondents expressed willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Compared to previous findings in April 2020, substance use increased from 58.6% to 67.2% (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the well-being and medical follow-up of PLWH are still affected after almost a year into the COVID-19 outbreak. Remote HIV follow-up (telemedicine) with psychosocial support should be envisaged in the medium to long-term. Given that most PLWH accept COVID-19 vaccination, they may be prioritized for this intervention.

Impact of COVID-19 on work-related fatigue and satisfaction among oncology providers in Latin America: An analysis of the HOLA COVID-19 study.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11014-11014
Author(s):  
Ana I. Velazquez Manana ◽  
Carolina Bernabe Ramirez ◽  
Coral Olazagasti ◽  
Paulo Gustavo Bergerot ◽  
Enrique Soto Perez De Celis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Oncology Providers ◽  
The Impact

11014 Background: The well-being of oncology providers (OP) is in jeopardy with increasing workload, limited resources, and personal challenges that result from the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on work-related (WR) satisfaction and fatigue among OP in Latin America. Methods: We conducted an international cross-sectional online survey of OP practicing in Latin America. The survey was administered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Results: In August 2020, 704 OP from 20 Latin American countries completed the survey (77% of 913 who started the survey). Table outlines baseline characteristics. Higher frequency of WR fatigue (67% vs. 58%, p=0.010) and exhaustion (81% vs. 70%, p=0.001) were reported by OP who cared for patients with COVID-19, compared to OP who cared for patients without COVID-19. Providers that observed delays in referrals to radiation (p=0.002) and surgery (p=0.04) reported WR fatigue at higher rates than their counterparts. Higher exhaustion (p=0.016) and dissatisfaction (p=0.046) were reported by OP who lacked access to supportive services, as social work. A significantly higher proportion of women reported WR fatigue (72% vs. 56%, p=0.003) and exhaustion (86% vs. 68%, p=0.001), when compared to men. Women were more likely than men to endorse higher current levels of fatigue when compared to pre-COVID-19 (61% vs. 46%, p=0.0001). To reduce stress, women were more likely than men to cut the time spent watching the news (p=0.002). Both genders declined research collaborations and speaking opportunities. Conclusions: Fatigue and dissatisfaction with work-life were prevalent among OP in Latin America. Higher rates of WR fatigue were seen in women, OP caring for patients with COVID-19, and OP with patients who experienced cancer care delays. Our data imply that OP may be a prime target for psychosocial support, particularly as current challenges will continue for the foreseen future. Baseline characteristics (N=704).[Table: see text]

scholarly journals The impact of rickets on growth and morbidity during recovery among children with complicated severe acute malnutrition in Kenya: A cohort study

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses M. Ngari ◽  
Johnstone Thitiri ◽  
Laura Mwalekwa ◽  
Molline Timbwa ◽  
Per Ole Iversen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Quality of care of treatment for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition provided by lady health workers in Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Rogers ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Shahid Fazal ◽  
Deepak Kumar ◽  
Saul Guerrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Supervision And Training ◽  
Mid Upper Arm Circumference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care Study

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the quality of care provided by lady health workers (LHW) managing cases of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the community.DesignCross-sectional quality-of-care study.SettingThe feasibility of the implementation of screening and treatment for uncomplicated SAM in the community by LHW was tested in Sindh Province, Pakistan. An observational, clinical prospective multicentre cohort study compared the LHW-delivered care with the existing outpatient health facility model.SubjectsLHW implementing treatment for uncomplicated SAM in the community.ResultsOedema was diagnosed conducted correctly for 87·5 % of children; weight and mid upper-arm circumference were measured correctly for 60·0 % and 57·4 % of children, respectively. The appetite test was conducted correctly for 42·0 % of cases. Of all cases of SAM without complications assessed during the study, 68·0 % received the correct medical and nutrition treatment. The proportion of cases that received the correct medical and nutrition treatment and key counselling messages was 4·0 %.ConclusionsThis quality-of-care study supports existing evidence that LHW are able to identify uncomplicated SAM, and a majority can provide appropriate nutrition and medical treatment in the community. However, the findings also show that their ability to provide the complete package with an acceptable level of care is not assured. Additional evidence on the impact of supervision and training on the quality of SAM treatment and counselling provided by LHW to children with SAM is required. The study has also shown that, as in other sectors, it is essential that operational challenges are addressed in a timely manner and that implementers receive appropriate levels of support, if SAM is to be treated successfully in the community.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document