A young child nutrition programme in rural Jamaica: the first year - abstract

ABSTRACT

At Elderslie, in rural Jamaica, 44 percent of all deaths occur among children not yet 5 years old, and 80 percent of these deaths are associated with malnutrition. A programme to improve young child nutrition was developed as part of a demonstration health project in which medical students play a significant role. The regular district health staff was augmented by five locally recruited and trained Community Health Aides (CHA). These aides obtained anthropometric and demographic data on all children under 5 (1160). Those weighing less than 75 percent of standard-for-age were identified for specific treatment. These youngsters are visited montly by a CHA to discuss and demonstrated sound dietary practice, Anthropometric follow-up and case-findings are carried out monthly in each village. The annual cost is less tha J$2.50 per child. Of the 68 malnourished children followed for 1 year, 63 percent are improved, 32 percent unchanged, and 5 percent declined (including 1 death). There were 12-13 deaths (age 5) in each of the past years, but only 6 deaths in the first year of the nutrition programme. The prevalence of Gomez Grades II & III malnutrition has fallen from 8.5 percent to 6.0 percent. Experience gained during the first year supports the thesis that Community Health Aides, operating within the context of a carefully defined protocol, can effectively influence young child nutrition with means locally available (AU)