Application of Multi-sectorial Approach for Addressing Chronic Malnutrition(Stunting) - Kassala State: 2014-2015

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Since the last century, Kassala state as part of Sudan keeps suffering from a silent killer and major destroyer and inhibitor for its development and human resources in a form of static chronic malnutrition. The chronic type of malnutrition which known as stunting is irreversible. This study investigated the various levels of causality for this stagnant high rates of malnutrition. The triggering element for this study is the presence stunting as major problem in the state despite that it had the privilege of political stability, security, basic services ministries, presence of United Nations agencies, Nongovernmental Organizations plus the donor’s attention and continuous funding. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to investigate the existing multi-sectoral actions toward chronic malnutrition/stunting in Kassala state’s context through analysing the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition. Methods: This was a qualitative study used the existing evidences on malnutrition to assess the multi-sectoral actions toward malnutrition in Kassala state, it was designed to be a set of methods includes systematic review, in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The Conceptual Framework for malnutrition was used to inform the analysis and classification of factors and eventually identify actors in relation to stunting problem, Tanhashi’s bottleneck analytical model was used to weigh the impact of each factor on the problem. Results: The results of this study showed that Malnutrition in Kassala state was a manifestation of multi factors contributing directly or indirectly to the problem, these factors were related to fragmented nutrition policies among related sectors which had limited the impact of their interventions and eventually translated into poor health status, insufficient health services’ coverage, inadequate safe water availability, food insecurity, limited safety nets expansion and poor economic and educational status. Conclusions: We concluded that absence of the nutritionally oriented multi sectorial approach in Kassala state has affected negatively the nutritional status of population. Recommendations: The study recommends applying a compact set of interventions starts with the policy level by creation of a state level nutrition multi-sectorial body, scale up maternal and child health interventions and services, Improve food security and livelihood and lead a systematic community behavior change communication. Key words: Chronic malnutrition (Stunting), Multi sectorial approach, Kassala state, Malnutrition Conceptual Frame work