Childrens language skill
Combined psychosocial stimulation stressed
UNB
Combined psychosocial stimulation and nutrition education intervention successfully improves childrens cognitive, language and motor development, says a new study, reports UNB.
It also improves behaviour as well as mothers knowledge of child rearing, depression and quality of home stimulation, according to the preliminary findings of the study, Psychosocial stimulation intervention at Community Clinics improves development of malnourished children in rural Bangladesh.
It also finds that engaging health professionals of the existing community clinics in the service delivery is effective and feasible. icddr,bs scientist and principal investigator of the study Dr Jena Hamadani shared preliminary findings of the study at a dissemination seminar held at Sasakawa auditorium of the icddr,b in the capital yesterday. The study was conducted in three upazilas -- Raipura, Shibpur and Belabo -- of Narshingdi district, aiming to determine the feasibility of integrating nutritional care and psychosocial stimulation programme in community clinics (CCs) in Bangladesh and thus improving malnourished childrens development and growth.
Integration of psychosocial stimulation and nutrition within the government service delivery through community clinics was successful and feasible. Therefore, it can be taken to a scale throughout the country, said Dr Jena Hamadani.
In response to that, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Nasima Begum, NDC in a videoconference stressed the importance of collaborative effort and interventions during the first 1,000 days of life.
Malnourished children aged between 6-24 months in 91 CCs were identified and enrolled in the study. The scientists introduced a structured curriculum of psychosocial stimulation and nutrition education using homemade toys, especially designed books, puzzles and games based on the age group of the children.
Relevant healthcare providers included health assistants, family welfare assistants and community healthcare providers and they were trained accordingly. Dr Makhduma Nargis, Chief Coordinator, Community Based Health Care,Directorate General of Health Services attended the meeting as the chairperson and stressed collaboration within the government and NGOs to achieve the SDGs. She also pointed out that this was unique scientific evidence that leads the way for integration. The study was funded by the Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and implemented through collaboration between icddr,b and the government of Bangladesh.
