Extract

Background and study aims East Africa is suffering from devastating droughts and, in Ethiopia, it is estimated that there are 652,000 malnourished children under the age of five in need of emergency food. Malnutrition prevents a child from developing normally and can often lead to death. It also has a negative effect on the relationship between a parent and child. We know that parental support of a child, such as playing with toys with them, has a positive effect on a childs’ development. However, in many developing countries only 10-40% of parents give stimulating materials such as toys to their child. Also, for varying reasons many parents don’t play with their children. We aim to improve this situation by using a simple intervention called Emotional Stimulation (ES). ES was developed by Play Therapy Africa to help mothers reconnect more fully with their malnourished child. Parents learn simple activities such as games that they can play with their children. In this study, youths and Health Extension Workers (HEW) who staff Health Posts attended by parents of malnourished children will be trained to teach parents ES and Nutritional Education (NE). NE teaches parents important information about their children, such as dietary needs and hygiene. Either ES or NE will be taught to parents alongside the provision of emergency food. The aim of this study is to see whether ES is better than NE at helping children to recover from malnutrition in Ethiopia. Who can participate? Children with severe acute malnutrition. What does the study involve? Health Posts (intervention sites) are randomly put into one of two groups and patients will receive either ES or NE depending on which Health Post they attend. Health Posts are staffed by a HEW and youths trained to give ES or NE to parents and/or caregivers. Each family participating in the study receives 12 weeks treatment with either ES or NE. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? This study may benefit participants by improving nutrition and family bonding. The results will also be used to see whether ES could be used in the wider populations in East Africa that are severely affected by drought. Where is the study run from? Play Therapy Africa (Ethiopia) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? February 2012 to August 2012 Who is funding the study? Pulitzer Foundation (UK) Who is the main contact? Prof P Fonagy [email protected]

Inclusion criteria

• severe acute malnutrition

Links

• ictrp
• isrctn