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Nutrition education for illiterate children in southern Madagascar – addressing their needs, perceptions and capabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Johanna Mahr ,
Marzella Wuestefeld ,
Joep ten Haaf  and
Michael B Krawinkel
Johanna Mahr*
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Marzella Wuestefeld
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Joep ten Haaf
Affiliation:
Consultant
Michael B Krawinkel*
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse 20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
*
*Corresponding authors: Email johannamahr@web.de, Michael.Krawinkel@ernaehrung.uni-giessen.de
*Corresponding authors: Email johannamahr@web.de, Michael.Krawinkel@ernaehrung.uni-giessen.de
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Abstract

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Objective

A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study was conducted in three villages of Bekily District in southern Madagascar prior to the implementation of a health education programme with children. The participatory learning concept of the Child-to-Child approach was followed to involve the children in the planning and implementation of the programme, which was covered by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation.

Design

To this effect, qualitative research methods such as Participatory Learning and Action techniques (focus group discussions, mapping and matrix ranking, etc.) were applied.

Subjects

The survey was conducted between August and December 1999. It involved a total of 55 school-aged children (6–14 years) along with 21 mothers and 34 fathers, representing different ethnic groups and educational backgrounds.

Results

The results show that children's KAP related to health and nutrition strongly reflect those of adults. They are not aware of a possible link between bad hygiene and the occurrence of diseases. According to them, diarrhoea or malaria is caused by consuming too large amounts of certain foods. Even if they know about certain elementary hygiene behaviours, they do not practise this in their everyday life.

Conclusion

A major objective of the health education programme for children should be to tackle the discrepancy between hygiene-related knowledge and behaviour. Through the participatory study approach the children revealed their ability to contribute to the programme development. In using appropriate communication channels, the Child-to-Child health education programme is expected to influence the health behaviours of both adults and children. The health education programme should be combined with a literacy programme to address the children's desire to learn reading and writing.

Keywords

Health educationChild-to-Child approachParticipatory Learning and ActionKAP studyNutrition-related issues
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , June 2005 , pp. 366 - 372
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2005

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