Integrated Research on Acute Malnutrition in Mali (IRAM-MALI)

Social and Behavioral Change Communication related to prenatal, postnatal, IYCF practices as well as on the care of young children at several specific ages, hygiene, and health will be delivered during monthly home visits by pairs of NASG members.

"Monthly delivery by NAGS pairs of a nutritional supplement: SQ-LNS, at a dose of 28 bags of 20g per month per beneficiary child. The nutritional supplement is limited to :~\- \[6-17\]months old children diagnosed as non-wasted (MUAC\>=125mm)"

"MUAC screening of children 6 to 59 months of age by family members will be introduced. This will involve distributing Shakir MUAC tapes to all intervention households and training mothers/guardians, or any other family member expressing an interest, in the screening of wasting with the MUAC criterion.~The training will be carried out by the members of the NASGs and during each home visit, they will be able to ensure that the MUAC measurement technique is well mastered by the mother (or another member) and correct the technique if necessary. They will also explain the procedure to be followed if the child is diagnosed as wasted by a family."

"Monthly screening by the NASG members of the children they follow, using the MUAC.~Referral to the health center of \[6-17\] months old children screened as malnourished (result of MUAC orange or red), and follow-up on referral to confirm child was enrolled."

NASG members will conduct biweekly follow-up visits in the households of children with wasting referred to and enrolled in CMAM treatment programs to ensure adherence to the outpatient treatment schedule.

NASG members will conduct biweekly home visits to monitor the nutritional status of children aged 9 to 17 months who were discharged from CMAM treatment after recovery. NASGs members will provide additional counseling to prevent relapse and screen these children for wasting to detect possible relapse.

NASGs members will also be supported by the IRAM project in the organization of cooking demonstrations with nutrient-rich foods in the community, during which passive screening of children will be carried out.