As a result of the increasing number of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa, numerous programmes have been initiated to facilitate the care and support of orphaned and vulnerable children. This paper reports on a community-based capital cash transfer initiative in Kenya and explores its role in building orphan competent and supportive communities through its participatory project cycle. Using a mixture of individual and group interviews, 300 orphaned children and 110 adults involved in this initiative were interviewed using open-ended questions. A thematic analysis of the data revealed that many of the communities participating in this programme had become more united and active in the support of orphaned children following the mobilization of much needed economic, political and social support resources. Despite many difficulties, largely due to the complexity of communities, we conclude that community-based capital cash transfer initiatives can facilitate the building of orphan competent communities.
We report on a community--based capital cash transfer initiative (CCCT) in Kenya that sought to mobilise and enable HIV--affected communities to respond to the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children. With bilateral funding, the Social Services Department in Kenya provided 80 communities across 10 Districts with advice and resources to set up social enterprises for the support of vulnerable children. A wide range of food and income generating activities were initiated by the communities, whose produce or profits resulted in improved school attendance and performance, particularly amongst girls. We conclude that CCCT is a viable strategy for improving orphan schooling in sub--Saharan Africa.
Background: Eggs are nutrient rich and have the potential to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes, but cultural beliefs may inhibit consumption during pregnancy. Objective: To understand knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices, facilitators, and barriers related to consuming eggs during pregnancy in Kenya. Methods: The study had 3 phases. Phase I included in-depth interviews and free-listing and pile-sorting exercises with pregnant women (n ¼ 36), husbands (n ¼ 12), and mothers-in-law (n ¼ 12) of pregnant women, and health providers (n ¼ 24). Phase II involved egg preparation exercises with pregnant women (n ¼ 39). Phase III involved a weeklong trial of egg consumption with pregnant women (n ¼ 24). We used thematic content analysis methods to analyze qualitative data and tabulated quantitative data. Results: All participants recognized eggs as nutritious for pregnant women; 25% of pregnant women consumed eggs the previous day. However, participants believed eating too many eggs during pregnancy (1 or more eggs daily) leads to a large baby and delivery complications. Unaffordability and unavailability also inhibit consumption. Health workers are the most trusted source of information on maternal nutrition. Almost all women complied with the household trial, said they would continue eating eggs and would recommend eggs to other pregnant women in moderation. Conclusions: Although participants believed consuming eggs during pregnancy is beneficial, cultural norms, practices, and beliefs may prevent pregnant women from eating them daily. Interpersonal
Objectives Eggs are nutrient-rich and have the potential to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes, but cultural beliefs may inhibit consumption during pregnancy. This study sought to understand pregnant women's and key influencers’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices as well as facilitators and barriers related to consuming eggs during pregnancy in Kenya. Methods The study was conducted in an urban (Nairobi) and rural (Kiambu) area, had 3 phases and primarily used mixed qualitative methods to triangulate data. Phase I included in-depth interviews, 24-hour dietary recall, and free-listing and pile-sorting exercises with pregnant women (n = 36), husbands (n = 12) and mothers-in-law (n = 12) of pregnant women, and health workers (n = 24). Phase II involved egg preparation exercises with pregnant women (n = 39). Phase III involved a week-long trial of egg consumption with pregnant women (n = 24). We used thematic content analysis methods to analyze qualitative data and tabulated quantitative data. Results All participants recognized eggs as nutritious for pregnant women and their unborn children, though only 25% of pregnant women consumed eggs the previous day. Participants believed eating too many eggs during pregnancy (1 or more eggs daily) leads to a large baby and complications during delivery. Unaffordability and unavailability of eggs also inhibit consumption. Health workers are the most trusted source of information on maternal nutrition, while other pregnant and nonpregnant women in the community were cited as those who most often discourage egg consumption. Fried and boiled eggs are the most common and preferred preparation methods due to ease and limited number of ingredients. Almost all women complied with the household trial, said they would continue eating eggs during pregnancy, and would recommend consuming eggs in moderation to other pregnant women. Conclusions Although participants believed consuming eggs during pregnancy is beneficial, cultural norms, practices, and beliefs may prevent pregnant women from eating them daily. Interpersonal communication from health workers and agricultural policies to promote affordability could lead to increased consumption, which in turn could have potential positive impacts on maternal nutrition and birth outcomes. Funding Sources RTI International.
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