Alicia Ríos

Bio: Alicia Ríos is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bubble chart. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 11 citations.

Mothers’ Knowledge, Understanding, and Use of the Bubble Chart in a Rural Area of Central Mexico:

Abstract: The bubble chart is a growth chart that has a vertical layout rather than the more common horizontal one, and bubbles instead of cries-crossing lines. The present project aimed to evaluate knowledg...

Community-based growth monitoring in a rural area lacking health facilities

Abstract: A community-based growth monitoring (GM) project was established in a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal. The project is an example of community-based activities that were based on a participatory approach of problem assessment and analysis. The first phase of the study comprised of a situation assessment. The aim was to evaluate the nutritional status and related factors of children aged 5 years and younger. It included a cross-sectional survey (questionnaire and anthropometric measurements), focus group discussions and interviews with key informants. From a nutritional point of view, the situation assessment identified a need for regular GM of infants and small children, increased availability of foods rich in micro­ nutrients, and nutrition education. Relevant findings of the situation assessment were used during a project planning workshop that was attended by community representatives. The community's concern about the health of the preschool children and the lack of health facilities, and the need for regular weighing of their children prompted the establishment of a community-based GM project. The GM project was run by nutrition monitors, through home-based centres (named Isizinda). Monthly activities at the Isizinda included GM, nutrition education, and recording of morbidity and mortality data. Children who were either in need of medical attention or showed growth faltering were referred to the nearest clinic. During the latter half of the study, the GM project was integrated with a household food production project and the Isizinda served as promotion and training centres for agricultural activities. Project activities were continuously monitored by reviewing the attendance register, scrutinising the Isizinda files, observation and staff meetings. Community meetings (at least twice a year) allowed for two-way feedback and addressing questions and concerns. Acceptability of the GM activities was measured in terms of attendance and maternal perceptions. The coverage of the Isizinda project was estimated at approximately 90% and at least 60% of these children were adequately covered. The Isizinda data showed an equal distribution of child contacts over the various age categories and was representative o f the community. The attendance data suggest that community-based GM is a viable option to be used for screening and nutrition surveillance, and as platform for nutrition education. Most mothers comprehended the growth curve. Positive behavioural changes have been observed in the community and the Isizinda data showed a steady decline in the prevalence of diarrhoea. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za/

Nutritional knowledge of mothers and nutritional status of their children 6-59 months under malezi bora programme in kawangware sub location, dagoretti, nairobi county

Abstract: Malezi Bora is a program by the Ministry of Health that ensures heightened promotion of routine and far to reach areas. In the programme, mothers are given nutritional knowledge to help them utilize the health facilities and services provided to ensure continued growth and normalcy in nutritional status of their children. This study was therefore designed to determine the nutritional knowledge of mothers and nutritional status of their children 6-59 months under Malezi Bora programme in Kawangware, a slum in Nairobi. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 300 mothers as respondents using a structured questionnaire to collect information on their nutritional knowledge. Then 322 children 6-59 months were assessed for nutritional status using anthropometric measurements. Results showed that the age composition of the study population had more persons lessthan15 and more than 15-65 years for both sexes in the household. Majority of mothers were married. Most of them were housewives. Majority had attained primary and secondary levels of education. The study indicates that majority of mothers interviewed had knowledge of Malezi Bora programme although most of them did not have knowledge of the any activities of the programme. The prevalence of stunting (Height-for-age) among the children was 25.4%, wasting (weight-for-height) was 4% and underweight (weight-for-age) was 7.1%. Severe stunting was significantly (p<0.03) higher among males compared to females. The study concluded that mothers’ nutritional knowledge exists but it is low. Generally the nutritional status of the children was normal, except for stunting which was significantly higher than wasting and underweight, though lower than the national coverage.