Utilization of Community Based Growth Monitoring Services by Eligible Children in Rural Rwanda

*Correspondence to: JDD NGIRABEGA, MD, PhD, RULI Hospital, PO Box 1285 KIGALI. e-mail: [email protected] Tel GSM : +250788650824 Background: In Rwanda, the initiation of community-based growth monitoring services improves access to malnutrition assessment and treatment for high risk children in rural communities. Although community services have improved access for these children, the consistent attendance of this program remains weak. We present the pattern in which children utilized the community services between 2004 and 2009 in the catchment area of a rural hospital in Rwanda. Methods: Data on the utilization of community nutrition services were analyzed for the period between January 2004 and June 2009 and for a cohort of children born between January and June 2004. The monthly average utilization rate and the adequate utilization rate were calculated. Results: The average monthly utilization rate varied between 53% in 2004 and 79.7% in 2008. It gradually increased each year until it plateaued in 2008. The adequate utilization rate of services by the cohort of children who attended the services from the time of birth was 11.7%. The average utilization rate varied by age group, with the highest rate being amongst the 0-6 month age group and the lowest rate being 27.8% amongst 55-60 month age group. On average, the children of the cohort received 45 visits for the duration of evaluation period. The median of visits ranged from 6 visits in the 0-6 month age group and 4 visits for the 49-60 month age group. Conclusion: This paper shows that the average monthly utilization rate of the community-based growth monitoring services remained flat between 75% and 79% during the last three years of the evaluation period. The adequate utilization rate was very low and decreased with age. We propose home visits for children and that education is strengthened to encourage children at risk of malnutrition to utilize community services appropriately. ABSTRACT