Exploring behaviors related to positive growth in an urban slum of Mumbai (620.9)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Within Mumbai slums 47% of children under five are severely stunted. The aim of this project was to apply the positive deviance approach to assess what contributes to positive child nutrition in the slum of Dharavi. Results will inform programs offered by the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA).METHODS: Children with a height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ)>0 (n=10) or a HAZ<‐2.0 (n=12) were randomly selected from SNEHA’s Child Health and Nutrition program. Eligibility was restricted to households with limited resources and more than one child. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with mothers. A 24‐hour dietary recall and anthropometric measurements were taken for the index child. An observation checklist assessed household hygiene. RESULTS: Themes from the mothers of children with HAZ>0 include: having strong social support or having an elder female present to assist with child rearing, borrowing food in times of food insecurity, feeding infant formula as a supplemental food, mothers actively seeking nutrition information, and mothers acknowledging the importance of maternal nutrition. Mothers of children with HAZ<‐2.0 reported lack of social and family support to help with child care and household tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing social support, complementary feeding practices and maternal nutrition knowledge may have potential as interventions, and should be explored in a larger sample.Grant Funding Source: Wilbur G. Downs Fellowship for International Research