Effects of Integrated Intervention of Psychosocial Stimulation, Nutritional Support, and Water Sanitation Hygiene on Malnourished Children in Kanam, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the integrated intervention of psychosocial stimulation, nutrition support and water sanitation hygiene (WASH) on the developmental status of malnourished children in Kanam, Plateau State within a time frame of four months. The study had one (1) Objective, one (1) Research question and one hypothesis. Experimental design was employed with a sample size of 16 malnourished children, age 6–59 months, which were purposively sampled based on the consent of the parents/caregivers. The instruments for data collection were Anthropometric assessment proforma, communication and play tracker, and WASH checklist. A focus group discussion with the caregivers/parents on their knowledge and attitudes in childcare practices were also conducted with weekly and monthly facilitation/support of mother-to-mother counseling visitation as part of intervention strategies for the study. Food supplements formulated from flours of cereal which are commonly used for making complementary food in the study area (millet), a protein-rich ingredient (soybean Glycine max)) and a fat-rich ingredient (sesame). A descriptive and inferential statistical method was employed in data analysis through the use of SPSS version 23. Specifically, mean, standard deviation, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed at significance level of P<0.05. The findings revealed a significant improvement between the baseline and after intervention results in the developmental status of malnourished children exposed to integrated intervention. Therefore, the study recommended that an approach such as psychosocial stimulation, nutritional support, water sanitation and hygiene should be used in the management of malnourished children.