Assessing Factors Hindering the Effectiveness of The Family Muac Program in Detecting Malnutrition Among Under-Five Years Children in Banisa Sub-County, Mandera County

Abstract

The Family MUAC Program, which involves training mothers and caregivers to use a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape to detect signs of malnutrition in children, has shown positive outcomes in terms of improving nutrition surveillance and early detection of malnourished children. In its implementation, there have been challenges which have made the program not successful as it was intended. The study general objective focused on the barriers to effectiveness of family MUAC programs in Banisa sub-county in Mandera County. In this case, the study focused on four objectives which included; assessing mothers’ sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, health facility services, and training factors’ influence on nutrition surveillance and early detection of malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Banisa sub-county in Mandera County. The early detection and nutritional surveillance amounted to effectiveness of the family MUAC programs. The study was guided by Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) which informed the study variables. The study adopted correlation research design, where the study sought to establish any statistically significant correlations between the independent and the dependent variable, effectiveness of family MUAC program. Target population was 293 mothers from Banisa Sub-County, from where a sample size was established at 236 mothers, but managed to get 209 fully filled questionnaires. This corresponded to 89% response rate which was considered adequate for analysis of the findings. The sample size was through systematic simple random sampling method. The researcher interviewed mothers presenting to the clinic until the sample size was achieved. Data collection was primary and the researcher administered questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Presentation was on tables, frequencies and percentages. Bivariate analysis was done, having Pearson correlations coefficients and multivariate analysis was done through multiple linear regression, with ANOVA and regression coefficients. The findings of the study showed that there was a positive significant relationship between Socio-economic factors, training factors, health facility, and effectiveness of family MUAC programs (p <.001). Only mothers’ characteristics was not significantly correlated to effectiveness of MUAC programs. The study recommendation and conclusion aimed at training mothers to capacity build on using the family MUAC program, and to know the features and indicators to look for in enhancing nutritional surveillance and early detection of malnutrition among children under five.