| 1. |
- Hamadani, Jena Derakhshani, et al.
(author)
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Integrating early child development programs into health and nutrition services in Bangladesh : benefits and challenges
- 2014
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In: Every Child'S Potential. - : Wiley. ; , s. 192-203
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries of the world with the highest population density. The Bangladesh government recognizes the educational and financial benefits of early childhood development (ECD) and has incorporated ECD into the national plan of action. However, ECD activities are not fully established in the country and there have been few evaluations. In this paper, we present ECD programs that are integrated into health and nutrition services in Bangladesh. We present four evaluation reports of such programs and we also include seven published research projects showing evidence that such integrations are feasible. We provide short reviews on coverage, methodology, and effects of the published reports and share our experience of challenges faced and steps taken to solve them. Overall, very few programs are based on scientific evidence and fewer are even evaluated. The research projects so far conducted are promising and there is sufficient evidence on feasibility of integrating ECD activities into nutrition and health programs. Suggestions are made on measures to overcome the implementation problems and on suitable methods to establish high-quality ECD programs in Bangladesh and in other low-and middle-income countries.
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| 2. |
- Hossain, Md Iqbal, et al.
(author)
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Effects of Community-based Follow-up Care in Managing Severely Underweight Children
- 2011
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In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 53:3, s. 310-319
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of community-based follow-up care, food supplementation, and/or psychosocial stimulation on the recovery of severely underweight children. Patients and Methods: A total of 507 severely underweight children (weight-for-age z score <-3) ages 6 to 24 months hospitalized at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, were randomly assigned to 1 of the following regimens for 3 months once they recovered from diarrhea: fortnightly follow-up care at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh Hospital, including growth monitoring, health education, and micronutrient supplementation (group H-C, n = 102); fortnightly follow-up at community clinics, using the same treatment regimen as group H-C (group C-C, n = 99); community-based follow-up as per group C-C plus cereal-based supplementary food (SF) (group C-SF, n = 101); follow-up as per group C-C plus psychosocial stimulation (PS) (group C-PS, n - 102); or follow-up as per group C-C plus both SF and PS (group C-SF + PS, n = 103). Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics by treatment group. Attendance at scheduled follow-up visits was greater in groups C-SF, C-SF + PS, and C-PS than in C-C and H-C; P<0.05. Rates of weight gain were greater in groups C-SF + PS, C-SF, and C-PS (0.88-1.01 kg) compared with groups C-C and H-C (0.63-0.76 kg), P<0.05. Three-factor analysis of covariance of the effects of treatment components indicated that weight gain and change in weight-for-age z score and weightfor- length z score were greater in groups that received SF (P< 0.05) and linear growth was greater among children managed in the community (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Positioning follow-up services in the community increases follow-up visits and promotes greater linear growth; providing SF, with or without PS, increases clinic attendance and enhances nutritional recovery. Community-based service delivery, especially including SF, permits better rehabilitation of greater numbers of severely underweight children.
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| 3. |
- Hossain, Md Iqbal, et al.
(author)
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Intestinal Mucosal Permeability of Severely Underweight and Nonmalnourished Bangladeshi Children and Effects of Nutritional Rehabilitation
- 2010
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In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 51:5, s. 638-644
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Lactulose/mannitol (L/M) intestinal permeability tests were completed to compare the intestinal function of severely underweight children recovering from diarrhea and other illnesses and of nonmalnourished children from the same communities, and to evaluate the effects of food supplementation, with or without psychosocial stimulation, on the changes in intestinal function among the underweight children. Patients and Methods: Seventy-seven malnourished children completed intestinal permeability studies at baseline and 3 months after receiving 1 of the following randomly assigned treatment regimens: group-C-fortnightly follow-up at community-based follow-up units, including growth monitoring and promotion, health education, and micronutrient supplementation, n = 17; group-SF-same as group-C plus supplementary food (SF) to provide 150 to 300 kcal/day, n = 23; group-PS-same as group-C plus psychosocial stimulation (PS), n = 17; or group-SF+PS-same as group-C plus SF and PS, n = 20. Seventeen nonmalnourished children were included as comparison subjects. Results: The malnourished children's mean +/- SD initial age was 13.1 +/- 4.0 months, their mean weight-for-age z score was -3.82 +/- 0.61, and their median (interquartile range) urinary L/M recovery ratio was 0.16 (0.10-0.28). Eighty-four percent of the children had L/M >= 0.07, suggestive of impaired intestinal function. The median L/M of the malnourished children was significantly greater than that of 17 relatively well-nourished children (median 0.09; interquartile range 0.05-0.12; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics of the severely malnourished children by treatment group. Following treatment, the L/M ratio improved in all of the groups (P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in these changes by treatment group. There was a significant positive association between weight gain and the magnitude of improvement in L/M ratio (r = 0.30, P = 0.012). Conclusions: Intestinal mucosal function, as measured by sugar permeability, is impaired among severely underweight children. Intestinal permeability improves in relation to weight gain, but intestinal mucosal recovery is not specifically related to the types or amount of food supplementation or PS provided in this trial.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Nahar, Baitun, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Effect of a food supplementation and psychosocial stimulation trial for severely malnourished children on the level of maternal depressive symptoms in Bangladesh
- 2015
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In: Child Care Health and Development. - : Wiley. - 0305-1862 .- 1365-2214. ; 41:3, s. 483-493
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Maternal depression is associated with poor child development and growth in low-income countries. This paper evaluates the effect of a community-based trial providing psychosocial stimulation and food supplements to severely malnourished children on maternal depressive symptoms in Bangladesh.METHODS:Severely underweight (weight-for-age Z-score < -3) hospitalized children aged 6-24 months (n = 507), were randomly assigned to: psychosocial stimulation (PS), food supplementation (FS), PS+FS, clinic control (CC) and hospital control (CH) at discharge. PS included play sessions with children and parental counselling to mothers during fortnightly follow-up visit at community clinics, conducted by trained play leaders for 6 months. FS involved cereal-based supplements (150-300 kcal/day) for 3 months. All groups received medical care, micronutrient supplements and growth monitoring. We used Bayley scales, Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) inventory and a parenting questionnaire to assess child development, home stimulation and mothers' child-rearing practices, respectively. We assessed mothers' depressive symptoms using a modified version of Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at baseline and at 6 months post intervention.RESULTS:Maternal depressive symptoms were significantly lower in the CH group at baseline (P = 0.014). After 6 months of intervention there was no significant effect of intervention after adjusting for baseline scores and all possible confounders. Maternal depressive symptoms were higher among poorer (P = 0.06), older (P = 0.057) and less educated (P = 0.019) mothers, who were housewives (P = 0.053), and whose husbands had more unstable jobs (P = 0.058). At 6 months post intervention, children's cognitive (P = 0.045) and motor (P = 0.075) development, HOME (P = 0.012) and mother's parenting score (P = 0.057) were higher among mothers with lower depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION:The study did not show a significant effect of the intervention on the level of maternal depressive symptoms. Interventions with higher intensity and/or of longer duration focusing directly on maternal psychosocial functioning are probably needed to reduce maternal depressive symptoms.
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| 6. |
- Nahar, Baitun, et al.
(author)
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Effects of a community-based approach of food and psychosocial stimulation on growth and development of severely malnourished children in Bangladesh : a randomised trial
- 2012
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In: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0954-3007 .- 1476-5640. ; 66:6, s. 701-709
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/Objective: Psychosocial stimulation (PS) and food supplementation (FS) improve development of malnourished children. This study evaluates the effects of a community-based approach of PS and FS on growth and development of severely malnourished children.Subjects/Methods: Severely underweight hospitalised children aged 6-24 months (n = 507) were randomly allocated on discharge to five groups: (i) PS, (ii) FS, (iii) PS_FS, (iv) clinic-control and (v) hospital-control. PS included play sessions and parental counselling on child development. This was done at each fortnightly follow-up visit, that is, every second week, for 6 months at community clinics. FS included distribution of cereal-based food packets (150-300 kcal/day) for 3 months. All groups received medical care, micronutrient supplementation, health-education and growth monitoring. Children's development was assessed using revised version of Bayley Scales of Infant Development at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. Anthropometry was measured using standard procedure.Results: Comparing groups with any stimulation with those with no stimulation there was a significant effect of stimulation on children's mental development index (group*session interaction P = 0.037, effect size = 0.37 s.d.) and weight-for-age Z-score (group*session interaction P = 0.02, effect size 0.26 s.d.). Poor levels of development and nutritional status were sustained, however, due to their initial very severe malnutrition. There was no effect on motor development and linear growth.Conclusion: Children receiving any stimulation showed a significant benefit to mental development and growth in weight. More intensive intervention with longer duration is needed to correct their poor developmental levels and nutritional status.
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| 7. |
- Nahar, Baitun
(author)
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Effects of Food Supplementation and Psychosocial Stimulation on Growth and Development of Severely Malnourished Children : Intervention Studies in Bangladesh
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Early childhood malnutrition is a global public health problem with serious short- and long-term consequences. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the effects of psychosocial stimulation (PS) with or without food supplementation (FS) on growth and development of severely malnourished children, quality of home environment, mother’s child-rearing practices and depressive symptoms. The study setting was Dhaka, Bangladesh, and the participants were severely malnourished children, aged 6-24 months, admitted at Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). A hospital-based study was conducted in Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit of ICDDR,B hospital, where a control group (n=43) was studied initially, followed by an intervention group (n=54). All received standard nutrition rehabilitation care. The intervention group received daily group meetings and play sessions in the hospital, and was thereafter visited at home for 6 months. A community-based randomised trial was conducted including children (n=507) admitted at hospital for initial treatment of an acute infection, and thereafter assigned to PS, FS, PS+FS, clinic control or hospital control groups. PS was delivered at follow-up visits, fortnightly for 6 months at community clinics. FS included distribution of cereal-based food packets (150–300 kcal/day depending on age) for 3 months. All groups received standard medical care and micronutrient supplementation. In the hospital-based study, the intervention group had significantly higher scores in mental (p<0.001, effect size 0.52 SD) and motor development (p=0.047, effect size 0.37 SD), and weight (p=0.03, effect size 0.39 SD), after 6- months intervention. In the community-based trial, there was a significant effect of stimulation after six months of intervention on children’s mental development (group*session interaction p=0.037, effect size=0.37 SD) and weight (group*session interaction p=0.02, effect size=0.26 SD) but no effect on motor development or linear growth. The PS+FS and PS groups differed in total HOME score, two HOME subscales (maternal involvement and play materials), and in mother’s child- rearing practices scores but not in depressive symptoms. PS with or without FS had small improvement on children’s growth and development, quality of home environment and mother’s rearing-practices of severely malnourished children. More intensive interventions with longer duration are therefore recommended.
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| 8. |
- Nahar, Baitun, et al.
(author)
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Effects of psychosocial stimulation on growth and development of severely malnourished children in a nutrition unit in Bangladesh
- 2009
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In: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0954-3007 .- 1476-5640. ; 63:6, s. 725-731
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Young children with severe malnutrition usually have poor mental development. Psychosocial stimulation may reduce their cognitive deficit, but it is not usually provided. The aim of the study was to incorporate stimulation into the routine treatment of severely malnourished children in a nutrition unit and evaluate the impact on their growth and development. DESIGN: Time-lagged controlled study. SETTING: Nutritional Rehabilitation Unit (NRU) in ICDDR,B Dhaka Hospital. METHODS: Severely malnourished children, aged 6-24 months, admitted to the NRU were enrolled. All received standard nutritional care. A control group of 43 children was studied initially, followed by an intervention group of 54 children. The intervened mothers and children participated in daily group meetings and individual play sessions for 2 weeks in hospital and were visited at home for 6 months. Children's growth was measured and development assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were lost to the study. In the remaining children, both groups had similar developmental scores and anthropometry initially. After 6 months, the intervention group had improved more than the controls did by a mean of 6.9 (P<0.001; 95% CI: 3.9, 10.0) mental and 3.1 (P=0.024; 95% CI: 0.4, 5.7) motor raw scores and a mean of 0.4 (P=0.029; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.8) weight-for-age z scores, controlling for background variables. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial stimulation integrated into treatment of severely malnourished children in hospital, followed by home visits for 6 months, was effective in improving children's growth and development and should be an integral part of their treatment.
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| 9. |
- Nahar, Baitun, et al.
(author)
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Effects of psychosocial stimulation on improving home environment and child-rearing practices : results from a community-based trial among severely malnourished children in Bangladesh
- 2012
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12, s. 622-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Parenting programmes are effective in enhancing parenting practices and child development. This study evaluated the effects of a intervention with psychosocial stimulation (PS) on the quality of the home environment and mothers' child-rearing practices in a community-based trial with severely malnourished Bangladeshi children. Method: Severely underweight children (n = 507), 6-24 months of age, were randomly assigned to five groups: PS; food supplementation (FS); PS + FS; clinic-control (CC); and, hospital-control (CH). PS included fortnightly follow-up visits for six months at community clinics where a play leader demonstrated play activities and gave education on child development and child rearing practices. FS comprised cereal-based supplements (150-300 kcal/day) for three months. All groups received medical care, micronutrient supplements and growth monitoring. Mothers were given the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) inventory and a questionnaire on parenting at baseline and after six months to assess the outcome. Results: 322 children completed the study. After six months of intervention the PS + FS and PS groups benefitted in the total HOME score (depending on the comparison group, effect sizes varied from 0.66 to 0.33 SD) The PS + FS and PS groups also benefitted in two HOME subscales: maternal involvement (effect sizes: 0.8 to 0.55 SD) and play materials, (effect sizes: 0.46 to 0.6 SD), and child-rearing practices scores (effect size: 1.5 to 1.1 SD). The PS + FS group benefitted 4.0 points in total HOME score compared with CH, 4.8 points compared with CC and 4.5 points compared with FS (p < 0.001 for all). The PS group benefitted 2.4 points compared with CH (p = 0.035), 3.3 points compared with CC (p = 0.004), and 2.9 points compared with FS (p = 0.006). Child-rearing practice scores of the PS + FS group improved 7.7, 6.4 and 6.6 points and the PS group improved 8.5, 7.2 and 7.4 points more than CH, CC and FS, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: Child-rearing practices of mothers of severely malnourished children and the quality of their home environment can be improved through community-based psychosocial stimulation with or without food supplementation. This may be of importance to promote child development.
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| 10. |
- Nahar, Baitun, et al.
(author)
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Risk Factors Associated with Severe Underweight among Young Children Reporting to a Diarrhoea Treatment Facility in Bangladesh
- 2010
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In: Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1606-0997 .- 2072-1315. ; 28:5, s. 476-483
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a serious health problem among young children in Bangladesh. PEM increases childhood morbidity and mortality. Information is needed on the major risk factors for PEM to assist with the design and targeting of appropriate prevention programmes. To compare the underlying characteristics of children, aged 6-24 months, with or without severe underweight, reporting to the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B in Bangladesh, a case-control study was conducted among 507 children with weight-for-age-z-score (WAZ) <-3 and 500 comparison children from the same communities with WAZ >-2 5 There were no significant differences between the groups in age [overall mean+standard deviation (SD) 12 6 +/- 4.1 months] or sex ratio (44% girls), area of residence, or year of enrollment. Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that severely-underweight children were more likely to have: undernourished mothers [body mass index (BMI) <18.5, adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-5.4] who were aged <19 years (AOR=3.0, 95% CI 1.9-4.8) and completed <5 years of education (AOR=2.7, 95% CI 1.9-3 8), had a history of shorter duration of predominant breastfeeding (<4 months, AOR=2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3 3), discontinued breastfeeding (AOR=2 0, 95%) CI 1.1-3.5), and had higher birth-order (>3 AOR=1 8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7); and fathers who were rickshaw-pullers or unskilled day-labourers (AOR=4.4; 95% CI 3.1-6.1) and completed <5 years of education (AOR=1.5, 95% CI 1 1-2.2), came from poorer families (monthly income of Tk <5,000, AOR=2.7, 95% CI 1.9-3.8). Parental education, economic and nutritional characteristics, child-feeding practices, and birth-order were important risk factors for severe underweight in this population, and these characteristics can be used for designing and targeting preventive intervention programmes
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