Impact of Health Education in Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Caregivers of Malnourished Children in Bobirwa District, Botswana
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore on performance of Health Education (HE) component of Bobirwa District Malnutrition Rehabilitation program in Botswana. Under-five Malnutrition is persistent in Bobirwa District in spite of the rehabilitation program which consist of facility based complimentary feeding and HE. Between August 2015 and August 2016, we enrolled 101 pairs of malnourished children and their caregivers in a mixed methods observational study. Baseline anthropometric measures and data concerning knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of the caretakers were taken. Progress was tracked monthly for 4 months. Only KAP progress is reported here. Only 38.3% of clients showed improvement in KAPS by the end of the study. There was a statistically significant difference between age and change in KAP, χ2 = 35.846 (p= 0.000). There was a statistically significant difference between education level of caregivers and change in KAP, χ2 = 118.49 (p= 0.000). There was statistically significant difference between Health care worker teams (clinics) and change in KAP, Fishers statistic =23. 943 (p= 0.001). The Phi coefficient (φ) was 0.545. Clients expressed little ownership of the program. Health education performed poorly in improving KAPs. Based on difference in performance based on education level, age and particular HCW teams administering the program, there is potential for improvement. The study recommends nutrition refresher training to Health Care Workers. It also advises refocusing of the nutrition rehabilitation program to include community engagement from inception to the administration and evaluation of the program.
Key words: Malnutrition, Feeding Practices, Food Security and Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices, Botswana.
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