"NUTRI-CHIKA: Usapan Tungkol at para sa Nutrisyon" an inter-professional community nutrition program - a health outcome evaluation / The Health Sciences Journal

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study measured the impact and outcome of an inter-professional community nutritionprogram labeled as "NUTRI-CHIKA Usapan Tungkol at para sa Nutrisyon." The program was a multidisciplinaryapproach towards the attainment of proper nutrition for identified malnourished preschoolage children in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.METHODS: This was a mixed quantitative-qualitative program evaluation. The quantitative part consistedof a longitudinal observational study design, which reviewed the data of the children who received thenutritional intervention. The qualitative study was done with a phenomenological approach, using athematic analysis for the process and impact evaluation by means of a focus group discussion and keyinformant interview processes.RESULTS There was a statistically significant increase in weight (2.32 kg) and height (3.04 cm) in terms ofZ-scores. A total of 29 out of 30 malnourished children graduated with 1 to 3 degrees of improvement intheir Z-scores. The program impact showed 1) overall improvement of the state of health of the children;2) inculcation of family values, which emphasized the giving of more quality time of parents to theirchildren, and teaching them to socialize and be courteous; and 3) better orientation of the childrentowards more nutritious food choices. The process evaluation focused on the positive disposition of theinter-professional collaboration and brought out transference of this attitude to the children and parents.CONCLUSION "NUTRI-CHIKA Usapan Tungkol at Para sa Nutrisyon" achieved its program objectives andimpacted on the family and community, improving the overall state of health of the children and providingpositive disposition and family values to the participants.