Preventive and therapeutic benefits in relation to cost: performance over 10 years of Mothercraft Centers in Haiti

Abstract

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Mothercraft Centers operating in Haiti over the period 1964 to 1975 as a public health measure in private and public health services is reported. For the most part, the data are derived from centers operating routinely in the health services rather than from pilot demonstrations. Their impact in both therapy and prevention of severe malnutrition in preschool children is considered, and it is found that numerically the greater benefit is in prevention. At a total annual cost of $4034 a typical center accomplishes successful therapy and prevents relapse in 105 children. In addition, it provides protection against severe malnutrition to their 306 younger siblings. It is thus estimated that, considering only these 411 children demonstrably benefited from a year's operation, the cost of providing essentially lifetime protection from severe malnutrition is approximately $10 per child.

Bacterial contamination of weaning foods and drinking water in rural Bangladesh

“…Experience from several countries shows that weaning programmes may fail because of landlessness (22) or maternal employment (23). Recommendations which require expenditure of money or time are usually ignored (22).…”

Key Issues in the Success of Community-Based Management of Severe Malnutrition

“…The results of these early outpatient treatment programs have been variable. Some NRCs achieved low mortality and positive impacts on children's growth while they were attending centers each day, but usually these benefits were not maintained after the children were discharged [44][45][46]. The requirement for children to attend each day and eat in the NRC also often proved unpopular with mothers, resulting in high default rates [47], and limited the…”

Efficacy and Effectiveness of Community-Based Treatment of Severe Malnutrition

“…were also considered suitable for severely malnourished children whose medical complications had been successfully treated in hospital but who were not recovered in terms of their weight. Residential centers reached their zenith in the 1960s and 1970s; their performance during that period has been evaluated and their effectiveness deemed modest [13][14][15]. Residential centers have similar disadvantages to those of day-care centers if caregivers are required to reside with their children during rehabilitation.…”