Publications by authors named "Alex Mutua"

Treatment outcomes for acute malnutrition can be improved by integrating treatment into community case management (iCCM). However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of this integrated nutrition intervention. The present study investigates the cost-effectiveness of treating moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) through community health volunteer (CHV) and integrating it with routine iCCM.

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Treating children with acute malnutrition can be challenging, particularly regarding access to healthcare facilities during treatment. Task shifting, a strategy of transferring specific tasks to health workers with shorter training and fewer qualifications, is being considered as an effective approach to enhancing health outcomes in primary healthcare. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating the treatment of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers into integrated community case management in two sub-counties in northern Kenya (Loima and Isiolo).

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Child undernutrition is a persistent challenge in arid and semi-arid areas due to low and erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and food insecurity. In these settings, caregivers face several challenges in accessing health services for sick and/or malnourished children, including long distances to health facilities, harsh terrain, and lack of money to pay for transportation costs to the health facilities, leading to low service coverage and sub-optimal treatment outcomes. To address these challenges and optimize treatment outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends utilizing community health volunteers (CHVs) to manage acute malnutrition in the community.

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Article Synopsis
  • Undernutrition and overnutrition are typically viewed as separate issues, but the rising double burden of malnutrition, where both coexist, is now a global concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya.
  • A study measuring the nutritional status of 7,447 primary school pupils in rural Kenya found that 12.4% were stunted and 7.8% were underweight among those aged 120 months or younger, with boys showing higher rates of stunting and underweight compared to girls.
  • Although the study did not indicate a double burden of malnutrition, it highlighted the prevalence of undernutrition in schoolchildren and stressed the need for ongoing monitoring, especially in the context of rapid urbanization.
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The Kenyan government established the Kenyan Comprehensive School Health Program (KCSHP) on the basis of Kenyan National School Health Policy. A KCSHP pilot project was carried out in eight primary schools in Mbita Sub-County of Homa Bay County in the Nyanza Region from 2012 to 2017. This pilot project provided health facilities and support for evaluation with a school health checklist, and organized teacher training on health education, a child health club, and school-based health check-ups.

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There is growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of a comprehensive school health program. However, implementation in developing countries is a challenge. Furthermore, the available information on the association between a comprehensive school health program and students' academic attainment is limited.

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