A wasting treatment program in the context of food insecurity, insecurity, and lack of health services is seeing high numbers of non-respondents and relapses despite quality programming. One of the reasons is the prevalent sharing of RUTF among the household members. If household food assistance is provided upon admission or discharge with the aim of reducing sharing of RUTF so it is only consumed by the SAM/MAM child, are there best practices that should be followed concerning amount, duration, modality, etc? Of course budget is a limiting factor, so not able to provide the multi-sectoral support that would be ideal. I did come across a systematic review which is somewhat helpful (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805272) but I would love to hear others' experiences and opinions, especially reflections from those who have implemented a food assistance component alongside acute malnutrition treatment for the purposes of improving lasting recovery.

Hi Vanessa,

 

I dont have first-hand experience to share with you, but these papers came to mind when I read your question - they might help you a little. 

 

"Effects of unconditional cash transfers on the outcome of treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM): a cluster-randomised trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo" https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-017-0848-y#:~:text=The%20cash%20would%20improve%20the,gain%20and%20derived%20anthropometric%20indices.

 

"Postdischarge interventions for children hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition: a systematic review and meta-analysis" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522006207

 

Best wishes, 

 

Tash 

 

Natasha Lelijveld

Answered:

1 month ago
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