Assessment of community readiness to address malnutrition in rural southwest Guatemala.
| Title: | Assessment of community readiness to address malnutrition in rural southwest Guatemala. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Weber AM; Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.; Delgado-Zapata R; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Department of Community & Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Fineman M; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Department of Community & Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Jimenez-Zambrano A; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Pfluger BA; Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.; Cunningham M; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Calvimontes DM; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Center for Human Development, Fundación Para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FUNSALUD, Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.; Ryan EP; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.; Lamb MM; Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA. |
| Source: | Public health challenges [Public Health Chall] 2024 Jun; Vol. 3 (2). Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Apr 11. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9918574282106676 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2769-2450 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 27692450 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Public Health Chall Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [Hoboken, New Jersey] : John Wiley & Sons Ltd., [2022]- |
| Abstract: | Background: Malnutrition is prevalent throughout southwest Guatemala, where >40% of children suffer from chronic undernutrition. Evidence supports that assessing a community's awareness and readiness to address malnutrition is a critical first step in improving the success of a nutrition intervention program. The objective of this study was to apply the community readiness model (CRM) to assess community readiness to address childhood malnutrition in a rural southwest region of Guatemala.; Methods: Thirteen key respondents of varied social roles and demographics residing in the region were interviewed. Interview questions related to addressing malnutrition were from the following predefined dimensions: Community Efforts, Community Knowledge of Efforts, Leadership, Community Climate, Community Knowledge, and Resources for Efforts. Interview recordings and notes were analyzed and scored according to the CRM guidelines, and a standardized analysis was conducted.; Results: The overall community readiness score was 4.26 (preplanning: awareness of the issue). Community Efforts had a total score of 5 (Preparation: preparing to take action on the issue). Community Knowledge of Efforts, Community Climate, Community Knowledge, and Resources for Efforts Dimensions each had a total score of 4 (Preplanning: awareness of the issue). The overall score for the Leadership dimension was 2 (Denial/resistance: belief that the problem does not exist within the community). These scores demonstrate clear recognition for action to address childhood malnutrition as a problem. However, efforts to combat childhood malnutrition are not yet focused nor detailed for community action.; Conclusions: This rural southwest region of Guatemala recognizes that childhood malnutrition is a problem. However, efforts to address malnutrition are not yet focused or detailed enough to have measurable impact in addressing this issue. For the region to advance the stage of community readiness, it is essential to enhance knowledge of dietary strategies aimed at improving nutrition for children and increase engagement from local leadership. |
| Competing Interests: | CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors declare no conflicts of interest. |
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| Grant Information: | T32 AI162691 United States AI NIAID NIH HHS; T32 ES012870 United States ES NIEHS NIH HHS |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Guatemala; children; community readiness; malnutrition; nutrition; undernutrition |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20241216 Latest Revision: 20250612 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC11643428 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/puh2.164 |
| PMID: | 39678003 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article