Comparative Study on Integrated Psychosocial Stimulation, Nutritional Support, Water Sanitation Hygiene Interventions among Malnourished Children in Kanam, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study is determined to compare the effect of integrated psychosocial stimulation, nutritional support, and water sanitation hygiene interventions on malnourished children. An individual randomized trial design comprising weekly home visits for 3 months in four locations of Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau state, was adopted. The eligible malnourished children were identified through a door–to–door survey using standard procedures of anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference) and children with body mass index (BMI) < 16Kg/m² were selected. A focus group discussion session, follow-up home visitation on weekly and monthly facilitation/support of mother-to-mother, weekly distribution of food supplements, home stimulation environment through the provision of WASH material and age-specific psychosocial stimulation activities were part of intervention strategies adopted for the study. The result shows a significant difference between base-line and end-line data, impacted by integrated package delivery which enhanced and improved nutritional and developmental outcomes of malnourished children over the period of intervention. Furthermore, the findings reveal that there is a non-significant difference among the study groups. However, the observed effect on outcomes based on average BMI indicators is at causal pathways to improve child nutritional status outcomes. The study concludes that the integrated intervention package improved the developmental and nutritional outcomes in malnourished children. Implementation of these integration packages over a longer duration is needed to witness a significant improvement.