Developing a context-relevant psychosocial stimulation intervention to promote cognitive development of children with severe acute malnutrition in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Jensen, Cecilie L, Sanga, Erica, Kitt, Heather, PrayGod, George, Kunzi, Happiness, Setebe, Theresia, Filteau, Suzanne, Webster, Jayne, Gladstone, Melissa ORCID: 0000-0002-2579-9301 and Olsen, Mette F (2024) Developing a context-relevant psychosocial stimulation intervention to promote cognitive development of children with severe acute malnutrition in Mwanza, Tanzania. PloS one, 19 (5). e0285240-e0285240. ISSN 1932-6203, 1932-6203

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

More than 250 million children will not meet their developmental potential due to poverty and malnutrition. Psychosocial stimulation has shown promising effects for improving development in children exposed to severe acute malnutrition (SAM) but programs are rarely implemented. In this study, we used qualitative methods to inform the development of a psychosocial stimulation programme to be integrated with SAM treatment in Mwanza, Tanzania. We conducted in-depth interviews with seven caregivers of children recently treated for SAM and nine professionals in early child development. We used thematic content analysis and group feedback sessions and organised our results within the Nurturing Care Framework. Common barriers to stimulate child development included financial and food insecurity, competing time demands, low awareness about importance of responsive caregiving and stimulating environment, poor father involvement, and gender inequality. Caregivers and professionals suggested that community-based support after SAM treatment and counselling on psychosocial stimulation would be helpful, e.g., how to create homemade toys and stimulate through involvement in everyday chores. Based on the findings of this study we developed a context-relevant psychosocial stimulation programme. Some issues identified were structural highlighting the need for programmes to be linked with broader supportive initiatives.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Child Development, Cognition, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Caregivers, Tanzania, Female, Male, Severe Acute Malnutrition, Psychosocial Intervention
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2024 07:20
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 15:00
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0285240
Open Access URL:	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?acc...
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3182403
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.