Assessing the association of COVI-19 with under-five children malnutrition in Namphungo and Chambe rural Health Centers of Mulanje District by Carolyn Kang’ombe

Kang'ombe, Carolyn

Assessing the association of COVI-19 with under-five children malnutrition in Namphungo and Chambe rural Health Centers of Mulanje District by Carolyn Kang’ombe

Date

13-07-21

Authors

Kang'ombe, Carolyn

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciencies

Abstract

XECUTIVE SUMMARY Background: Malnutrition contributes significantly to child morbidity and mortality. While the COVID-19 pandemic will increase mortality due to the virus, it is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. The economic, food, and health systems disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to continue to exacerbate all forms of malnutrition. In this study, we generate information about the burden of Covid-19 towards under-5 child nutrition resulting from the potential disruption of health systems, economic system and decreased access to food. Objectives: The broad objective of the study is to assess the association of covid-19 with underfive child malnutrition in rural health centers of Mulanje District.. To achieve the broad objective, the study will achieve the three specific objectives outlined; 1. To conduct a comparative description of accumulated cases of malnutrition in under-five children cases admitted on Outpatient Therapeutic Program and Supplementary Feeding Program during and before onset on COVID-19 pandemic. 2 To assess the food situation and income security in households of malnourished under five children during and before onset of COVID-19 pandemic. 3 To compare the health services delivery in under five clinics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the rural areas of Mulanje. Methods: The study will be conducted at Namphungo and Chambe Health centers. A mixed method design will be used where cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative study design will be employed. For quantitative data, secondary data will be used to address the first objective. Health center under-five clinic registration will be used to extract data. Participants will be care givers to the admitted under five children under Out-patient Therapeutic Program and Supplementary Feeding Program (n=71) that will be randomly sampled from the secondary data in the respective health centers registry. Qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interview with care takers (n=10) that have under-five children on out-patient therapeutic program and supplementary feeding program on food situation analysis. Key informants (n=4) at the respective health centers will be interviewed to understand the working modalities that were applied as COVID-19 response measure. Expected results and dissemination: This study expects to enlighten any association and impact on food production and access, provision of health services and changes in practices and behavior due to the COVID-19 and its contribution towards exacerbation of malnutrition among under five children in the communities. The results will assist in informing policy and advocacy which may 13-Jul-2021 Version 3, revised 22nd June,2021 2 | P a g e lead to the refinement and improvement of maternal and child nutrition preparedness in emergencies. The findings will be disseminated to COMREC, college of medicine school of public health and family medicine, Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS (DNHA), Mulanje District Health Office, Mulanje Agriculture Office as well as research dissemination conferences. Results will help to advocate for under-five nutrition measures that will assist in coping with the COVID- 19 pandemic and hence reducing under-five malnutrition.