Perceptions of Malawian Nurses about Nursing Interventions for Malnourished Children and Their Parents

Authors

  • Magdalena Johansson Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping
  • John LZ Nyirenda Embangweni Mission Hospital, Mzimba
  • AnnaKarin Johansson Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping
  • Birgitta Lorefält Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i6.9898

Keywords:

Child, Child nutrition disorders, Health education, Interventions, Nutrition education, Perceptions, Phenomenography, Malawi

Abstract

In developing countries, malnutrition among children is a major public-health issue. The aim of the study was to describe perceptions of Malawian nurses about nursing interventions for malnourished children and their parents. A qualitative method was used. Data were collected and analyzed according to the phenomenographic research approach. Twelve interviews were performed with 12 nurses at a rural hospital in northern Malawi, Southeast Africa. Through the analysis, two major concepts, comprising four categories of description, emerged: managing malnutrition today and promotion of a favourable nutritional status. The categories of description involved identification and treatment of malnutrition, education during treatment, education during prevention, and assurance of food security. The participating nurses perceived education to be the most important intervention, incorporated in all areas of prevention and treatment of malnutrition. Identification and treatment of malnutrition, education during treatment, education to prevent malnutrition, and assurance of food security were regarded as the most important areas of intervention.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i6.9898

JHPN 2011; 29(6): 612-618

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
842
PDF
548

Downloads

How to Cite

Johansson, M., Nyirenda, J. L., Johansson, A., & Lorefält, B. (2012). Perceptions of Malawian Nurses about Nursing Interventions for Malnourished Children and Their Parents. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 29(6), 612–618. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i6.9898

Issue

Section

Original Papers