Project 21

Coverage Assessment of Nutrition Interventions in Babile District, East Hararghe zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: Product Access Initiative

Description

To address this issue, the Ethiopian government and its partners have implemented a variety of nutrition programs. Selective-entry programs such as Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSFP) have been implemented in Ethiopia to target children who are already malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. There has been notable progress in reducing the rates of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Ethiopia, particularly through community-based management programs that implement early detection and treatment measures.

In addition to selective-entry programs, universal programs such as Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP), General Food Distribution (GFD), and “blanket” Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) have been implemented to address malnutrition over wide areas in Ethiopia. Despite the implementation of these programs, the coverage of these programs remains a challenge in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas. Limited infrastructure, human resources, and funding have hindered the implementation of these programs, leading to low coverage and inadequate impact. Limited coverage and impact, costliness, cross infections, and high rate of mortality rate were some of the challenges contributing to inefficacy of inpatient management of SAM in Ethiopia.

This is because the timely identification and effective management of acute malnutrition (SAM) are crucial elements in contemporary medical management, which help reduce the number of children requiring admission to hospitals for treatment. Additional interventions designed to mitigate SAM include strategies such as enhancing maternal nutrition, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, and bolstering the health care systems.  Despite the huge efforts of the recovery rate in the treatment of children with SAM and its importance as a public health problem in Ethiopia, the overall cover of treatment and access to service remain low. The findings of this study provide useful information on barriers and challenges of low coverage from both demand and supplies side. The finding will also contribute to the reduction child mortality and morbidity.

Objectives

The overall objective of the survey is to assess the SAM treatment coverage as well as other nutrition direct coverages; and understand barriers and facilitators about coverage in East Hararghe zone in Babile woreda.

Funding Agency

Power of Nutrition

Project Partners

Haramaya University

EPHI PI/s Contact Persons

Dr.  Masresha Tessema (drmasreshatessema@gmail.com)

Anene Tesfa (anenetesfa@gmail.com )