Abstract:
Introduction: Child nutrition is one of the measures of health status that WHO recommends for
equity in health, especially for under five years. However, undernutrition still explains around 45%
of deaths among children under five, mainly in low and middle-income countries. Several
strategies exist, aiming at eradicating all forms of malnutrition. Despite this, childhood
malnutrition remains a public health burden mostly in sub-Saharan Africa including Rwanda.
Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to assess factors influencing the implementation of
malnutrition prevention program for children under five in Bugesera District.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with census and convenience sampling. District to
sector DPEM committee members and caregivers of children under five from 45 villages were
chosen as population. Adapted questionnaires were used. SPSS was used for analysis, with
Pearson’s to determine correlation between the identified factors and the implementation success.
Results: The majority (154 of 165) of Bugesera DPEM committee members participated to this
study, predominantly male (60%) and educated. This study found a positive relationship between
program planning (r=0.225, p=0.005), funding, supervision (r=0.214, p=0.008). Furthermore, of
90 caregivers recruited, majority was female, farmers and aged less than 35 years, however with
low level of education. Kitchen garden, culinary demonstration, monthly weighing were the main
CBNP activities not attended at 94%, 91% and 74% respectively. And having another general
activity such as market day, distance from home were the main challenges, 56 % and 51%
respectively.
Conclusion: Basic knowledge about basic components of malnutrition program in Rwanda is
sufficient. Program planning, funding, supervision need focus to ensure successful
implementation. There is a need to improve community awareness about CBNP activities; and
crucial activities like monthly weighing, culinary demonstration need more attention in order to
have success of district plans of eliminating malnutrition in children under five in Bugesera
District.
