Capacity building in the management of severe acute malnutrition: experience from Uganda, Florence M. Turyashemererwa, Hana Bekele, Juliet Bataringaya and Wondimagegnehu Alemu
Florence M. Turyashemererwa*
World Health Organisation Country Office for Uganda, Prince Charles Drive, Kampala
Email: flo.kinyata@gmail.com
Hana Bekele
World Health Organisation Country Office for Zimbabwe, Harare
Email: bekeleh@who.int
Juliet Bataringaya
World Health Organisation Country Office for Uganda, Prince Charles Drive, Kampala
Email: bataringayaj@who.int
Wondimagegnehu Alemu
1163 Hidden Spirit Trl. Lawrenceville, GA, 30045
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To share experiences on the capacity building of health workers in the treatment protocols for the management of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Uganda.
Design: With financial support from the Global Affairs Canada, the World Health Organization provided technical expertise to update Uganda treatment guidelines and training materials for SAM in line with global guidance. In addition, the health workers received training and mentorship on the use of the updated guidelines. This was followed by support supervision to assess the case fatality rate from SAM, and understand the issues experienced in improving the care for SAM children.
Findings: A total of 153 health workers were trained in the training of trainers, and 15 in training of facilitators’ workshops. The average pre- and post-test scores were 60% and 85%, respectively, for the training of facilitators and 56% and 68% respectively, for the training of trainers. A total of 521 health workers were mentored at their respective health care facilities. The average case fatality rate was 16.5% and 0.5% at two major hospitals. Eff ective management of SAM centred around the technical capacity, structure and processes involved.
Value: The results highlight the need for commitment to reduce deaths from children with SAM. An approach that looks beyond training and considers all components of the health care system is important.
Keywords: Severe acute malnutrition; Capacity building; Uganda; Case fatality rate
