Growth Monitoring Exercise

Location: Tiyamike Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC), Mtima Village

Date: 4^th February, 2025

Overview:

The Growth Monitoring Exercise was conducted at Tiyamike Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC) in Mtima Village on February 4, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

Aims & Objectives

• Identify growth faltering among children.
• Measure the impact of the nutrition/feeding program.
• Educate mothers on health and nutrition.
• Provide regular contact with primary health services.

Exercise Details

Facilitated by health personnel, social welfare staff, and UVGI members, the exercise involved three main activities:

1. Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) – Screening for malnutrition.
2. Height Measurement – Monitoring growth progression.
3. Weight Measurement – Assessing nutritional status.

Findings

• 95% (38 out of 40 children) were in good health, attributed to UVGI’s feeding program.
• 5% (2 children) showed signs of malnutrition – one with moderate acute malnutrition and another with severe acute malnutrition, who was referred to a health center.
• Recommendations: Increase groundnuts and soya in porridge, and if possible, provide peanut-based supplements (chiponde) and milk.

Challenges Identified

• Insufficient nutrients in porridge.
• Lack of supplementary nutritious food.
• Household food insecurity, especially during the lean season (Oct-Mar).
• No involvement of a nutritionist during growth monitoring.
• Caregivers lack proper training.
• Inadequate playing materials and small CBCC building.

Recommendations

1. Improve porridge nutrition with more groundnuts and soya.
2. Provide supplementary food such as chiponde and milk.
3. Support families with dry maize to prepare staple food (nsima).
4. Engage a nutrition expert for guidance.
5. Organize training for caregivers.
6. Provide indoor and outdoor play materials.
7. Consider constructing a more spacious CBCC.

Special Requests

• Growth monitoring tools (MUAC tapes, height board, weighing scale).
• Health supplies (gloves and chlorine).

Conclusion

• The exercise confirmed the importance of the feeding program and identified key areas for improvement.

Available Report