Nutrition Education Cell, a Community Based Approach to Fight against Child Undernutrition and Strength Community Resilience, in Rural Area in Burkina Faso

Abstract

In Burkina Faso, western Africa country, malnutrition is an underlying cause of 35% of deaths among children under 5 years of age. In the health district of Dano, south-west region where the prevalence of chronic malnutrition among children under five exceeds the WHO threshold (30%), ProgettoMondo Mlal, an Italian non-governmental organization, has put in place a mechanism to strengthen the Community system in order to carry out actions for promoting good practices in infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and community management of acute malnutrition at village level. Nutrition Educational Cells (NEC) supported by village nutrition committees (VNCs) were set up in 99 villages of the district. The one-year results show improved knowledge of good IYCF practices at mothers level, an increase in the number of acute malnutrition cases detected and referred to health centers and better participation of local communities in the implementation and financing nutrition actions. In view of the results achieved, the NEC strategy could be an opportunity to strengthen the resilience of communities to the under-nutrition of children under 5 years of age.