Developing a model for prevention of malnutrition among children under 5\u2009years old

Mohammad Mohseni,Aidin Aryankhesal

doi:10.1186/s12913-020-05567-x

Mohammad Mohseni, Aidin Aryankhesal

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05567-x

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Abstract

BackgroundSerious consequences leading to the increase of infectious diseases and mortality of children justifies the importance of interventions for eradication of malnutrition. Thus, this study aimed to provide a model for the prevention of malnutrition among children under 5 years old (CU5) in Iran.MethodsThis paper is part of a bigger study, conducted in 2017 using a mixed methods approach. A model for prevention of malnutrition in CU5 was proposed based on the earlier steps, with the cooperation and consultation of experts and specialists. In the final step, a Delphi method was used to determine the validity of the proposed model.ResultsThe main dimensions of the prevention model of malnutrition for CU5 in Iran included four level: basic causes, interventions, outcomes and impact. The proposed interventions are presented based on twelve areas: structural, intersectoral, political, economic, sanitary, health-oriented, research, educational/cultural, evaluation related, production, infrastructures and legal. Based on these areas, 118 solutions were finally selected for the final model. This model is designed based on the current conditions in different regions of Iran, the factors related to child malnutrition, affective context on policy making, the content of previous policies, the process of policy making in Iran, and key stakeholders and actors in policy making.ConclusionIn order to prevent malnutrition, the causing factors should be identified and resolved. The adopted policies should be, more seriously, based on the presence of key stakeholders and actors. Most of the existing nutritional problems among children are because of inappropriate consumerism culture and habits in families and its transfer to children.

Highlights

Serious consequences leading to the increase of infectious diseases and mortality of children justifies the importance of interventions for eradication of malnutrition
In order to design the primary model (Fig. 2), the findings of the first phase of the study [5], the factors related to malnutrition in Iranian children under 5 years old (CU5), were classified into six categories: the social, economic, biological, environmental, child-related and family-related causes
Different regions of the country need different interventions; some regions need urgent and short-term interventions while some preventive and supportive interventions, due to their low economic situation and higher prevalence compared with the standards assigned by World Health Organization

Summary

Introduction

Serious consequences leading to the increase of infectious diseases and mortality of children justifies the importance of interventions for eradication of malnutrition. Malnutrition among children affects their cognitive-sensory function and disrupts their ability to have a productive and efficient life [10]. This type of malnutrition is caused by many factors such as inadequate care in pregnancy period, low literacy of family members, inadequate community malfunctions (injustice, war, natural disasters, etc.), polluted environments, poor nutrition of the household, frequent and severe infections, inadequate supply of food, and poverty, especially [11]. Despite the importance of malnutrition and its relevance to the cause of important diseases, this issue continues to be underestimated [12]

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