Positive Deviant Intervention Prevents Acute Malnutrition in Younger Siblings of Undernourished Children in Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Positive Deviance (PD) Hearth program is designed to reverse Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and prevent Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children below five years. The aim of the present study was to establish the degree to which PD Hearth prevents malnutrition among the younger siblings of children in the program and to identify the role of the PD Hearth program on improving local capacity and community participation and empowerment on nutrition interventions. PD Hearth program was designed in Migori County to reverse MAM and prevent SAM in undernourished children. Younger siblings of 60 children in the program were identified through single stage cluster sampling to evaluate the nutrition outcome six (6) months after the Hearth sessions. A pipeline quasi-experimental design and mixed methods were used to collect data and perform statistical analyses. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) for the younger siblings of the children in the program were taken; chiefs and the CHWs were also interviewed using a pretest questionnaire. Younger siblings aged 0-6 months and 6-12 months had high nutrition indicators (above -1 score) for mean Weight-for-Height (WAZ), Height-for-Age (HAZ) and Weight-for-Height (WHZ). Also, siblings in the age categories, 12-24 had high Z-scores (greater than -1 score) in WHZ and WAZ but not HAZ (-2.14±0.04). The PD Hearth program had positive influence on the home and health care practices by mothers and health workers respectively. The caregivers also noted that involvement of the local leaders contributed to the success of the PD Hearth program.