The baseline data of the recruited families was collected and the anthropometric assessments of the children were done. Anthropometric measurements of the children were performed at local clinic premises by a trained team consisting of medical graduates. Children less than 2 years the weight was measured using the standardized spring balance and the length was measured using the infantometer. For children above 2 years the weight was measured using an electronic weighing scale to the closest 100grams wearing light clothing. The height was measured using a stadiometer to the last completed 0.1cm without shoes, with the occiput, back of chest, buttocks and heel touching the vertical plane and head in the horizontal Frankfurt plane. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated [weight (kg)/height² (m)] and BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) was used to determine the nutritional status.
This activity was carried out in two settings. The first was to train the 43rd batch of medical students attached to the family medicine clerkship on the purpose of the project, anthropometric assessment of the children, and data collection using the Kobo collect tool.
This activity was carried out in two settings. The first was to train the 43rd batch of medical students attached to the family medicine clerkship on the purpose of the project, anthropometric assessment of the children, and data collection using the Kobo collect tool.
A 4-day training program was conducted by trained task to target 30 mothers in Navalady and Maniyamthoddam PHM areas in Jul 2024. The effect of the mother’s attainment through the training will be assessed in practice as well as responses on anthropometric measures of their children. The tasks were clearly explained and monitoring at the community level was explained. The monitoring will be on the ability to demonstrate and empower their allocated families, Understand the nutritious preparation of food, Attend training sessions by the task group, Understand the principles of Hygienic food preparation, Food production activity – home gardening as cluster/chicken rearing, Bring the change in behavioiur in children through preschool education and to provide feedback to task group and Monitoring the practices at the community level.
Children who accompanied the mothers during the training sessions had several educational activities to stimulate them on healthy eating habits through games, songs drawing and activities.
A total of 8 volunteers from the community were trained by the expert panel of various aspects of nutrition, monitoring at the community level, identifying children with malnutrition, budgeting, hygienic practices and culinary skills.
The project was explained to the PHMs, mothers, mothers’ supportive group members, and community leaders who joined as active participants. The service delivery aims were explained and change in the nutritional status of selected under 5-year children was ensured by improving the nutritional knowledge and culinary skills of the mothers through behavioral change.
Two such meetings were held in PHM areas namely Navalady and Kolumbuthurai. Nearly 25 mothers participated in these discussions and finally few volunteered to be trained as care group members.
The developed service delivery plan was presented to the relevant stakeholders. AMOH, SPHM, SPHI, representative of DS, child probation officers of the DS office, and representative of the International Medical Organization for Health were the level 1 stakeholders. Suggestions were obtained and modifications were made for the implementation.
A feasibility study was conducted with mothers supportive group members from Nov 23-Jan 24. The prepared manuals were trained and level of understanding was obtained. The recipes were demonstrated and scoring system was used to identify the level preference, taste, smell and the appearance. The cost and nutritive values were discussed.
The expert panel had several discussions and devised an implementation plan. Three manuals were developed. One is the training manual and the second being the recipe book which contains recipes on cost-effective locally available produce. The third is a preschool training manual. The expert panel discussed these over several sessions along with the trainer panel who were trained to implement the project.
