Factors affecting treatment outcomes of outpatient therapeutic program for treatment of severe acute malnutrition in under-fives: A review

Abstract

This study aims to scrutinize the factors influencing treatment outcomes in Outpatient therapeutic programs (OTPs) targeting Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children under five. SAM in children under five is a pressing global health issue, necessitating effective treatment to mitigate its high mortality and morbidity risks. OTPs have been pivotal in addressing SAM in resource-constrained settings, offering ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and medical care. However, the success of OTPs is dependent upon various factors, including the child's age and nutritional status and the quality of care provided. Understanding these factors and their influence on treatment outcomes is paramount for enhancing OTP effectiveness and alleviating the SAM burden among young children. A thorough search was conducted across Cochrane, Elsevier, and PubMed databases to identify relevant publications between 2016 to 2024. Twenty-four studies were initially retrieved, with thirteen meeting the inclusion criteria for data synthesis. Analysis of the selected studies revealed pivotal factors affecting treatment outcomes in OTPs for SAM. These factors include socio-demographic characteristics, clinical features and caregiver-related factors. Notably, factors such as age, nutritional status, comorbidities, program adherence and caregiver knowledge, emerged as significant determinants of treatment success. This review underscores the multifaceted nature of factors influencing treatment outcomes in OTPs for SAM among children under five. Understanding these determinants is crucial for optimizing program effectiveness and enhancing child health outcomes in resource-limited settings. Interventions addressing these factors will improve the impact of SAM treatment programs. Further research focusing on tailored interventions are recommended to refine SAM treatment strategies.