Descriptive Study of Children’s Nutritional Status and Identification of Community-Level Nursing Diagnoses in a School Community in Africa

Abstract

Effectively responding to children’s nutritional status and eating behaviors in Mozambique requires a community-based care approach grounded in sound nursing research that is evidence-based. The Community Assessment, Intervention, and Empowerment Model (MAIEC) is a nursing theoretical model that is based upon clinical decision-making for community health nurses using communities as a unit of care. We used the MAIEC to identify a community-based nursing diagnosis to address children’s nutritional status and eating behaviors in Mozambique. Objectives: (1) to conduct a descriptive study of children’s nutritional status and eating behaviors in a school community in Mavalane, Mozambique, and (2) to identify a community-based nursing diagnosis using the MAIEC clinical decision-making matrix in the same school community. Method: a cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of children using anthropometric data, including brachial perimeter and the tricipital skinfold, and standard deviation for the relation of weight–height, in a sample of 227 children. To assess community management of the problem and identify a community-based nursing diagnosis, we surveyed 176 parents/guardians and 49 education professionals, using a questionnaire based on the MAIEC clinical decision matrix as a reference. Results: malnutrition was identified in more than half of the children (51.3%). We also identified a community-based nursing diagnosis of impaired community management related to the promotion of child health and healthy eating evidenced by the lack of community leadership, participation, and processing among more than 70% of the community members (parents/guardians and education professionals). Conclusion: a nursing diagnosis and diagnostic criteria for nutritional status and community management were identified. The need to intervene using a multidisciplinary public health approach is imperative, with the school community as the unit of care. In addition, reliable anthropometric data were identified as important criteria to complement the nursing diagnosis and guide future public health interventions.

Evaluation of the community involvement of nursing experts in reducing unintentional injuries in children

“…In addition, these community nurses visit families, check the health condition of the children, provide health education and offer telephone consultations [10]. A previous study suggested that the nutritional status of children in Africa could be assessed promptly and accurately by community-based nursing [11]. National policies have begun to intervene in the prevention of unintentional injuries [12].…”

O Papel Da Enfermagem Na Desnutrição Infantil Durante O Período Da Pandemia Da Covid-19

“…Foram identificados diagnóstico de enfermagem e critérios diagnósticos para estado nutricional e manejo comunitário. A necessidade de intervir com uma abordagem multidisciplinar de saúde pública é imperativa, tendo a comunidade escolar como unidade de cuidado (MELO, 2020).…”

Collective empowerment of an online patient community: conceptualizing process dynamics using a multi-method qualitative approach

“…This nursing model offers an integrative vision of stakeholders and local structures and provides a clinical decision matrix to guide nurses’ decision-making. Conceptual approach [ 40 ] and empirical approaches through a cross-sectional quantitative study (developed in a community of schools in Africa to address children’s nutritional status and eating behaviors - [ 41 ]) and focus groups (with four Portuguese primary healthcare structures to improve the epidemiological monitoring of nursing diagnoses – [ 42 ]). Community empowerment is approached as a dynamic process articulated around three components: - Community leadership related to the community’s knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, and wishes in the context of the problem addressed; - Community participation related to communication, partnerships, and the existence of organizational structures; - Community process related to community coping or experiences with the problem addressed.…”