Effect of mother support groups on nutritional status in children under two years of age in Laisamis village, Kenya

Abstract

Background: In tackling the ongoing malnutrition problem in many parts of Kenya, the government has initialized preventive actions such as mother support groups in order to improve health and nutrition among children. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of such intervention. Objective: This study aimed at determining how mother support groups affect the nutrition status of children under 2 years of age. Methods: 41 children participated. Anthropometric measurements were taken of the children once a month during 12 months. Medical history, nutrition status and socioeconomic factors were collected by interviews with the mothers. The children were divided into two groups depending on their mother's assigned group; mother support group or not. Results: Nutritional status was significantly better among children in the mother support group (P=0.001). There were significantly more children with severe acute malnutrition among the children not in support group (P=0.040). The mean height (P=0.001) and mean weight (P=0.0281) were significantly higher among children in the non-support group. Conclusion: Mother support groups may have a beneficial effect on the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age. Cases of severe acute malnutrition seemed to be less prevalent in children whose mothers attend mother support groups.

Maternal caregiving capabilities are associated with child linear growth in rural Zimbabwe

“…Our findings on social support suggest that the positive child health effects of programmes that provide child health and nutrition education through regular home visits (e.g. The Care Group strategy, Perry et al, 2015; Lady Health Visitors in Pakistan, Upvall, Sochael, & Gonsalves, 2002; or mothers' support groups, Undlien, Viervoll, & Rostad, 2016) may be mediated through increased levels of social support for mothers. The magnitude of linear growth associated with gender norms and social support scores was substantial.…”

Impact and Effectiveness of Group Strategies for Supporting Breastfeeding after Birth: A Systematic Review

“…A total of 34,306 women are the total sample of this systematic review. Eight of the studies described analysed BF support in healthy full term infants [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 ] but another two analysed such impact in preterm infants [ 29 , 36 ], while most of those that explored the impact of the community groups [ 28 , 40 ] and online [ 39 ] support groups did not establish any difference between both groups of neonates.…”

Clinical case: severe course of adenoviral conjunctivitis with a hemorrhagic component complicated by a toxic-allergic reaction against a pregnancy

“…Описанный случай обратил на себя внимание не только редкой клинической картиной и характером воспалительной реакции, но и тем, что пациентка была на 14-й неделе беременно-сти, которая наступила сразу после окончания грудного вскармливания, длительность которого составила 3 года. Польза грудного вскармливания несомненна [26,27], однако дискутабельным и требующим дальнейшего изучения остается вопрос о длительности грудного вскармливании и влияние этого процесса на иммунную систему женщины, при условии что данный процесс затягивается на годы.…”