16 research outputs found
Effect of mother support groups on nutritional status in children under two years of age in Laisamis village, Kenya.
Background: In tackling the ongoing malnutrition problem in many parts
of Kenya, the government has initialized preventive actions such as
mother support groups in order to improve health and nutrition among
children. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of such
intervention. Objective: This study aimed at determining how mother
support groups affect the nutrition status of children under 2 years of
age. Methods: 41 children participated. Anthropometric measurements
were taken of the children once a month during 12 months. Medical
history, nutrition status and socioeconomic factors were collected by
interviews with the mothers. The children were divided into two groups
depending on their mother\u2019s assigned group; mother support group
or not. Results: Nutritional status was significantly better among
children in the mother support group (P=0.001). There were
significantly more children with severe acute malnutrition among the
children not in support group (P=0.040). The mean height (P=0.001) and
mean weight (P=0.0281) were significantly higher among children in the
non-support group. Conclusion: Mother support groups may have a
beneficial effect on the nutritional status of children under 2 years
of age. Cases of severe acute malnutrition seemed to be less prevalent
in children whose mothers attend mother support groups