Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T06:00:23.907Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutrition education for illiterate children in southern Madagascar – addressing their needs, perceptions and capabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Johanna Mahr ,
Marzella Wuestefeld ,
Joep ten Haaf  and
Michael B Krawinkel
Johanna Mahr*
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Marzella Wuestefeld
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Joep ten Haaf
Affiliation:
Consultant
Michael B Krawinkel*
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
*
*Corresponding authors: Email [email protected], [email protected]
*Corresponding authors: Email [email protected], [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study was conducted in three villages of Bekily District in southern Madagascar prior to the implementation of a health education programme with children. The participatory learning concept of the Child-to-Child approach was followed to involve the children in the planning and implementation of the programme, which was covered by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation.

Design

To this effect, qualitative research methods such as Participatory Learning and Action techniques (focus group discussions, mapping and matrix ranking, etc.) were applied.

Subjects

The survey was conducted between August and December 1999. It involved a total of 55 school-aged children (6–14 years) along with 21 mothers and 34 fathers, representing different ethnic groups and educational backgrounds.

Results

The results show that children's KAP related to health and nutrition strongly reflect those of adults. They are not aware of a possible link between bad hygiene and the occurrence of diseases. According to them, diarrhoea or malaria is caused by consuming too large amounts of certain foods. Even if they know about certain elementary hygiene behaviours, they do not practise this in their everyday life.

Conclusion

A major objective of the health education programme for children should be to tackle the discrepancy between hygiene-related knowledge and behaviour. Through the participatory study approach the children revealed their ability to contribute to the programme development. In using appropriate communication channels, the Child-to-Child health education programme is expected to influence the health behaviours of both adults and children. The health education programme should be combined with a literacy programme to address the children's desire to learn reading and writing.

Keywords

Health educationChild-to-Child approachParticipatory Learning and ActionKAP studyNutrition-related issues
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , June 2005 , pp. 366 - 372
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2005

References

1Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT). Recensement général de la population et del'habitat, éducation, rapport d'analyse, Vol. 2. Tome II: Antananarivo: INSTAT, 1997.Google Scholar
2Bailey, D, Hawes, H, Bonati, G. Child-to-Child: A Resource Book. Part 1: Implementing the Child-to-Child Approach London: Child-to-Child Trust, 1992.Google Scholar
3Lansdown, R. Child-to-Child. Dialogue on Diarrhoea 1995; 60: 6.Google Scholar
4Wüstefeld, M. Bekily, pays des tamariniers. Quelques aspects de sécurité alimentaire dans le Sud de Madagascar. Antananarivo: Tsigika, 2001.Google Scholar
5Pridmore, P, Stephens, D. Children as Partners for Health, A Critical Review of the Child-to-Child Approach. London: Library of Congress, 2000.Google Scholar
6Pretty, JN, Guijt, I, Scoones, I, Thompson, J. A Trainer's Guide for Participatory Learning and Action. London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 1995.Google Scholar
7Theis, J, Grady, H. Participatory Rapid Appraisal for Community Development. London: International Institute for Environment and Development/Save the Children Foundation, 1991.Google Scholar
8Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Relaxed and Participatory Appraisal Notes on Practical Approaches and Methods. Notes for participants in PRA Familiarisation Workshops in the second half of 1999. London: IDS, 1999.Google Scholar
9Chambers, R. Rural Appraisal: Rapid, Relaxed and Participatory. IDS Discussion Paper No. 311. London: Institute of Development Studies, 1992.Google Scholar
10Gordon, G. Introduction: how to, the process. In: Johnson, V, Ivan-Smith, E, Gordon, G, Pirdmore, P, Scott, P, eds. Stepping Forward, Children and Young People's Participation in the Development Process. London: Intermediate Technology Publications, 1998; 66–9.Google Scholar
11Schönhuth, M, Kievelitz, U. Participatory Learning Approaches, Rapid Rural Appraisal, Participatory Appraisal, An Introductory Guide. Eschborn: Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit/TZ-Verlag, 1994.Google Scholar
12Johnson, V. Starting a dialogue on children's participation. In: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), ed. Special Issue on Children's Participation. PLA Note 25. London: IIED, 1996; 30–5.Google Scholar
13Pebley, A, Hurtado, E, Goldman, N. Beliefs about children's illness. Journal of Biosocial Science 1999; 31(2): 195–219.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Khamis, T. Health Interests, Knowledge and Needs of Pakistani Primary School Children. Karachi: Age Khan University, 1997.Google Scholar
15United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Rapport d'enquête CAP et FGD Projet UNICEF. Points d'eau positif dans le Sud de Madagascar. Antanimora-Sud: UNICEF, 1999.Google Scholar
16Antia, BE, Omotara, BA, Rabasa, AI, Addy, EO, Tomfafi, OAA, Anaso, CC. More reliable data for diarrhoeal intervention programmes: rethinking on knowledge, attitude and practice studies. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition 2003; 21(2): 127–41.Google ScholarPubMed
17Worsley, A. Nutrition knowledge and food consumption: can nutrition knowledge change food behaviour. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002; 11: 579–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Yoddumnern-Attig, B, Atting, GA, Kanungsukkasem, U. Incorporating explanatory models in planning nutrition education programmes in Thailand. Nutrition and Health 1992; 8(1): 17–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Bradley, S. Participatory learning. Dialogue on Diarrhoea 1995; 60: 2.Google Scholar
20Benelo, F. Variétés des sacrifices traditionnels dans l'Androy. In: Gueunier, NJ, Raharinjanahary, S, eds. Raki-pandinihana, études offertes au professeur Rajaona. Fianarantsoa: Le Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, 2000; 257–69.Google Scholar
21Goldman, N, Perbley, AR, Beckett, M. Diffusion of ideas about personal hygiene and contamination in poor countries: evidence from Guatemala. Social Science & Medicine 2001; 52(1): 53–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Khan, MU. Interruption of shigellosis by hand washing. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1997; 76: 164–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23Clemens, JD, Stanton, BF. An educational intervention for altering water-sanitation behaviours to reduce childhood diarrhoea in urban Bangladesh, 1. Application of the case–control method for development of an intervention. American Journal of Epidemiology 1987; 125: 284–91.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24Gorter, AC, Sandiford, P, Pauw, J, Morales, P, Perez, RM, Alberts, H. Hygiene behaviour in rural Nicaragua in relation to diarrhoea. International Journal of Epidemiology 1998; 27(6): 1090–100.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25Institut National de la Statistique/Demographic and Health Surveys. Enquête démographique et de santé (EDS) 1997, Madagascar. Calverton, MD: Macro International, 1998.Google Scholar
26Wüstefeld, M. Enquête de base sur la situation de la sécurité alimentaire dans la région de Bekily, Sud de Madagascar. Bekily: Coopération Allemande au Développement, 1998.Google Scholar
27Andrien, M, Beghin, I. Nutrition education or managing social communication for nutrition?. Promoting Education 1993: 25–32.Google ScholarPubMed
28Elder, JP, Ayala, GX, Harris, S. Theories and intervention approaches to health-behavior change in primary care. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 1999; 17(4): 275–84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Cullen, KW, Baranowski, T, Smith, SP. Using goal setting as a strategy for dietary behaviour change. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2001; 101(5): 562–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30Phinney, R, Evans, J. From child to child: children as communicators. Development Communication Report 1993; 78: 7–9.Google Scholar
31Otaala, B. Children's participation for research and programming in education, health and community development: selected experiences in Africa. In: Johnson, V, Ivab-Smith, E, Gordon, G, Pirdmore, P, Scott, P, eds. Stepping Forward, Children and Young People's Participation in the Development Process. London: Intermediate Technology Publications, 1998; 135–42.Google Scholar
32Hart, R. The developing capacities of children to participate. In: Johnson, VIvan-Smith, EGordon, GPirdmore, PScott, P, eds. Stepping Forward, Children and Young People's Participation in the Development Process. London: Intermediate Technology Publications, 1998. 27–31.Google Scholar
33Ravololomanga, B. Etre femme et mère à Madagascar, Tanala d'Infanadana. ParisL'Harmattan 1992.Google Scholar
34Johnson, J, Hill, J, Ivan-Smith, E. Listening to Smaller Voices: Children in an Environment of Change. London: ActionAid, 1995.Google Scholar
35Duchscherer, D, Duchscherer, C, Namgyal, R, Iqbal, M. Child participation in practice: SCF (Save the Children Fund) experiences in programming. In: Institute of Development Studies (IDS), ed. PRA with Children London: IDS, 1996.Google Scholar
36Roubaud, F, Coury, D. Le travail des enfants à Madagascar. Genève: Un Etat des Lieux, 1997.Google Scholar
37Freire, P. Pedagogy of Hope. New York: Continuum, 1994.Google Scholar