

@mastersthesis {7119,
	title = {The nutritional impact of an integrated rural development project in {Haiti}: {A} quasi-experimental study},
	year = {1991},
	note = {9113322},
	school = {Cornell University},
	type = {phdPh.{D}.},
	address = {Ann Arbor},
	abstract = {A study of the impact of a community-based primary health care intervention on mothers{\textquoteright} health and nutrition knowledge, child feeding practices and nutritional status of children was integrated into an ongoing rural development project in Haiti. The importance of participation in project activities on the impact of the intervention was also investigated. The study used a quasi-experimental design. Baseline data were collected in 1985 in 21 "intervention" localities and 21 "control" localities. The survey was repeated three years later. Analyses were done on households present at both surveys (281 and 287). Comparability of the two groups at the outset of the study was assessed and differences adjusted for in subsequent analyses. Weight gain, height gain and weight-for-height gain of children aged 3 to 36 months old at the baseline survey were used as anthropometric indicators. Mothers{\textquoteright} health and nutrition knowledge was determined from composite scores covering 10 topics. Score on child feeding practices was calculated using the Guttman scaling procedure. Results showed that the intervention had a highly significant effect on mothers{\textquoteright} health and nutrition knowledge in the intervention group when compared to the control group. The most important predictor of mothers{\textquoteright} knowledge was the attendance at monthly health education meetings. Use of a latrine was also a significant predictor. This was explained by the effective health education component of that program. Child feeding practices also improved significantly in the project area. Predictors of that outcome were education of parents and health and nutrition knowledge of mothers. A less significant effect of the intervention was observed on the nutritional status of children. Differences were observed between the weight gain and the weight-for-height gain of the two groups at a significance level of p \${\textless}\$.20. Significant predictors of child growth were: socioeconomic status for the three growth indicators; use of a more potable source of water for height gain; and participation in peasant organizations for weight gain and weight-for-height gain. Participation in peasant organization activities was a significant factor on the impact of the intervention on child weight-for-height gain. Use of a latrine had a significant effect on child weight gain and mothers{\textquoteright} health knowledge. Attendance at health education meetings was the most significant factor mediating the effect of the intervention on child height gain, child feeding practices and health and nutrition knowledge of mothers.},
	keywords = {0570:Nutrition, 0573:Public health, child feeding practices, Health and environmental sciences, Nutrition, Public health},
	url = {http://search.proquest.com/docview/303956742?accountid=14270},
	author = {Pellerin, Agathe}
}
