In this monograph three major types of intervention in child nutrition are examined: nutrition education, food supplementation and nutrition rehabilitation. Detailed evaluations were carried out,... Show moreIn this monograph three major types of intervention in child nutrition are examined: nutrition education, food supplementation and nutrition rehabilitation. Detailed evaluations were carried out, between 1976 and 1979, of programmes in Central Kenya operating under different ecological circumstances. With the results of surveys among the population, these studies provide important material on regarding child nutrition among the Kikuyu, with particular attention to the social context under which nutrition problems arise, on the effects of long-standing programmes among the participants and the causes of the modest nature of these effects. The monograph offers a treatise on the actual practice of impact evaluation in developing countries as a result of the inherent methodological complications and practical limitations under field conditions. Show less
Review of current practices and recent developments in impact evaluation of nutrition programmes for preschool children in developing countries. A survey of the major types of nutrition programmes... Show moreReview of current practices and recent developments in impact evaluation of nutrition programmes for preschool children in developing countries. A survey of the major types of nutrition programmes for young children - nutrition education, food supplementation, and nutrition rehabilitation - is followed by a discussion of the problems confronting impact evaluation. Firstly, methodological difficulties often weaken the power of the evaluation or restrict its scope. Secondly, the effects of most nutrition interventions are at best modest. Finally, nutrition programmes in tropical countries usually operate in a great variety of cultural settings, which not only raises practical implementation problems, but also have a strong bearing on the interpretation of evaluation findings. It is argued that impact evaluation cannot be a final arbiter, but it may contribute to a definition of the optimal combination of local conditions and type of assistance offered. Show less
During the course of 1978, the three Family Life Training Centres studied admitted 273 women accompanied by 674 children. Women with malnourished children (and their siblings) are admitted to these... Show moreDuring the course of 1978, the three Family Life Training Centres studied admitted 273 women accompanied by 674 children. Women with malnourished children (and their siblings) are admitted to these centres for a 3-week course consisting primarily of nutrition and health education, but also covering good housekeeping and agriculture. During their stay mothers are taught to prepare a balanced diet from local foods to treat their children's condition. A group of 61 mothers and 94 children were interviewed and examined at admission, at discharge and at their homes, six months afterwards. A control group consisting of 100 mothers and 147 children drawn from two rural areas were interviewed and examined twice over the same period. The study concentrated on: (a) socio-economic circumstances; (b) nutritional knowledge; (c) maternal food preferences; (d) food consumption of the children; and (e) nutritional status and progress of the children. It was found that the nutritional knowledge and preferences of the women admitted to the centres were no less than that of other rural Kikuyu women, and it appeared that malnutrition is related more to adverse socio-economic circumstances than to ignorance Show less
Contains an account of a study of the effects of the Pre-School Health Programme at three clinics in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers were selected for... Show moreContains an account of a study of the effects of the Pre-School Health Programme at three clinics in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers were selected for interviewing: recent entrants and longtime participants. The study concentrates on the following aspects: nutritional knowledge; maternal food preferences; food consumption of the children during the previous day; and nutritional status of the children. Conclusion: the strenght of the programme lies in the food distribution rather than in the educational component. Show less
This report contains an account of a study of the effects of nutrition education as given at three health centres in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers in... Show moreThis report contains an account of a study of the effects of nutrition education as given at three health centres in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers in similar social and economic situations were selected for interviewing: frequent and infrequent visitors. They were compared on the following indicators: nutritional knowledge, maternal food preferences, food consumption of the children during the previous day and nutritional status of the children. Conclusion: nutrition education has little or no impact on the whole range of nutritional attitudes of mothers, their behaviour and the nutritional status of children. Show less
Nutrition education is widely accepted as an important means of improving the health of young children in developing countries. Based on research carried out in Uganda in 1971-1972, this book... Show moreNutrition education is widely accepted as an important means of improving the health of young children in developing countries. Based on research carried out in Uganda in 1971-1972, this book shows how studies of changes in knowledge and attitudes can provide unique insights into both the educational process and its success or failure. It also demonstrates that the social circumstances of the individual families play an important part in determining the effects of the teaching. It contributes to the information needed for planning nutrition programmes so as better to meet the actual needs of individual families of groups Show less
