Ketema Degefa and Adugna Tadesse, CHAMPS Ethiopia
The magnitude of child malnutrition including severe child malnutrition is especially high in the rural areas of Kersa district and one of the major causes of death among children in the study area (KHDSS, 2016). This study explored health seeking behaviour and community perceptions in addressing malnutrition. Mixed research approaches, including qualitative research tools and cultural domain analysis were used in the study.
It identified community perceptions of child malnutrition and factors influencing health-seeking behaviour in addressing malnutrition. It demands for educating the community and other caretakers in the family regarding increased knowledge-based practices, health seeking behaviour improvement and sustained behavioural change in addressing malnutrition.
Researcher Bios:
Ketema Degefa is a formative research and community engagement lead on Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) project which is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with London school of hygiene and tropical medicine and Emory University. He holds a BA in Social Anthropology from Gondar University, and MA in Developmental Economics from St Marry University.
Contact: degefaketema30@gmail.com
Adugna Tadesse holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology. Currently, he is working at CHAMPS Ethiopia as a community Facilitator and Qualitative Data Analyst, with a particular focus on Nutrition research, Death notification system and community engagements to build community trust, ownership, and participation in CHAMPS Program by organizing different community meetings.
Contact: wnew996@gmail.com
