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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Nutrition | Research

‘Counselling is not just providing information’: perceptions of caregivers and stakeholders on the design of nutrition and health counselling interventions for families with young children in rural Kenya

Authors: Grace Wothaya Kihagi, Lea-Sophie Hansen, Erick Agure, Erick M.O. Muok, Isabel Mank, Ina Danquah, Raissa Sorgho

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Globally, a fifth of the children continue to face chronic undernutrition with a majority of them situated in the Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). The rising numbers are attributed to aggravating factors like limited nutrition knowledge, poor feeding practices, seasonal food insecurity, and diseases. Interventions targeting behaviour change may reduce the devastating nutrition situation of children in the LMICs.

Objective

For the co-design of a Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) intervention for young children in rural Kenya, we aimed to identify the experiences, barriers, facilitators, and preferences of caregivers and stakeholders regarding nutrition and health counselling.

Design

We employed a qualitative study design and used a semi-structured interview guide. The in-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis, facilitated by the software NVivo.

Setting

Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area in Siaya County, rural Kenya.

Participants

We interviewed 30 caregivers of children between 6 and 23 months of age and 29 local stakeholders with experience in implementing nutrition projects in Kenya.

Results

Nutrition and health counselling (NHC) was usually conducted in hospital settings with groups of mothers. Barriers to counselling were long queues and delays, long distances and high travel costs, the inapplicability of the counselling content, lack of spousal support, and a high domestic workload. Facilitators included the trust of caregivers in Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and counselling services offered free of charge. Preferences comprised (1) delivering of counselling by CHVs, (2) offering individual and group counselling, (3) targeting male and female caregivers.

Conclusion

There is a disconnect between the caregivers’ preferences and the services currently offered. Among these families, a successful BCC strategy that employs nutrition and health counselling should apply a community-based communication channel through trusted CHVs, addressing male and female caregivers, and comprising group and individual sessions.

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Title: ‘Counselling is not just providing information’: perceptions of caregivers and stakeholders on the design of nutrition and health counselling interventions for families with young children in rural Kenya
Authors: Grace Wothaya Kihagi
Lea-Sophie Hansen
Erick Agure
Erick M.O. Muok
Isabel Mank
Ina Danquah
Raissa Sorgho
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Nutrition
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10872-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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‘Counselling is not just providing information’: perceptions of caregivers and stakeholders on the design of nutrition and health counselling interventions for families with young children in rural Kenya

Abstract

Background

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusion

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