Turkana is a vast county located on the northern western part of Kenya, the county faces different nutritional challenges such High Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence of 21.8 % based on the survey done in 2024, this proportion is significantly higher compared to the national average of 4.9% (2022). Coverage of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services is affected by economic and physical access, outreach and community barriers (limited knowledge and delayed health seeking behaviours), healthcare challenges (facility health care workers and CHWs are overburdened).
To ensure under 5 children at risk of malnutrition are consistently identified and supported, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) working in collaboration with UNICEF, IFPRI and Kenyatta University is implementing a community focused package of interventions across Turkana East, South and Aroo sub counties for wasting detection and follow up. A key component of this initiative is a Family mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) monitoring approach that empowers caregivers to conduct regular MUAC screenings for children. To further strengthen this effort, nutritional workflows within eCHIS Kenya have been digitized, incorporating SMS-based communication to enhance caregiver and CHP engagement. Caregivers receive biweekly automated SMS reminders informing them to measure and share the under 5 children MUAC readings with CHPs. The system also generates alerts for CHPs to follow children with severe and moderate malnutrition. In addition, CHPs receive reminders to train caregivers - particularly those with children who have reached 6 months of age on proper MUAC measurement techniques.
CHPs have also been equipped with weighing scales to measure weight for children aged between 6-59 months, ensuring more comprehensive growth monitoring. CHAs are also able to leverage the nutritional SMS workflows to send out nutrition community action days reminders to caregivers and CHPs helping to strengthen community level sensitization and follow ups.
Thank you Noelyn, Janet (IRC), Francis (UNICEF) and @Ben_Kiarie for the excellent presentation and demo. The community story presentation has been uploaded here.