Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
To explore mothers' perceptions of malnutrition and its causes in U-5's in Mozambique, as well as their ability to recognise, prevent and act on signs of malnutrition. A qualitative exploratory inquiry using focus group discussions and individual interviews analysed using Nutbeam's health literacy themes. Manhiça District Hospital in Manhiça, Mozambique. Mothers of U-5's (n 53) attending the in- and out-patient paediatric wards. Different malnutrition literacy levels were identified in mothers' responses. Mothers' reflections on the causes of malnutrition in U-5's were more elaborate compared to those of recognition, prevention and treatment strategies. Only severe forms of acute malnutrition were recognised by mothers, while early signs of undernutrition and stunting largely went undetected or unmentioned. Limited knowledge, time and financial resources were mentioned as contributors to suboptimal practices resulting in malnutrition. The district hospital, rather than community resources or local health posts, was indicated as the place mothers would go to seek advice and treatment for malnutrition. All mothers requested additional information on how to prevent and treat malnutrition. The varying literacy levels among mothers, the lack of references to community health workers as a resource in identifying and managing malnutrition, and the identification of poverty and sociocultural conditions as contributors to suboptimal practices indicate the need for in-depth research focused on the social determinants of malnutrition. A more comprehensive understanding of mothers' health literacy would contribute to the development of holistic programmes aiming to improve community management of malnutrition.
Highlights
Description of study participants A total of fifty-three mothers participated in the study across nine individual interviews (IDI) and seven focus group discussions (FGD)
Regarding educational attainment and work situation, the characteristics of the participant group corresponded with those of the population belonging to the Manhiça District Hospital (MDH)’s catchment area, which is reflective of a typical rural district of southern Mozambique[12]
Themes and sub-themes Based on the definitions of the three levels of health literacy as proposed by Nutbeam, the descriptive codes and subsequent sub-themes were grouped in relation to ‘Functional Malnutrition Literacy’, ‘Interactive Malnutrition Literacy’ and ‘Critical Malnutrition Literacy’, all of which are presented in Table 2 along with their corresponding sub-themes
Summary
Study location A qualitative exploratory inquiry, which employed focus group discussions (FGD) and individual interviews (IDI), was conducted at the Manhiça District Hospital (MDH), situated in the south of Mozambique. As part of these routine health checks, weight, age and gender of the child were recorded on patient health cards With these data already available, weight-for-age (WfA), an indicator for underweight[14], was used in this study to determine the child’s nutritional status. Inclusion criteria – FGD: [1] mothers >18 years old with children 18 years old with children
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
