Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100029, China.
Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
Nutrients. 2022 Jun 24;14(13):2612. doi: 10.3390/nu14132612.
Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a serious public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therapeutic programs are often considered the most effective solution to this problem. However, multiple social and structural factors challenge the social inclusion, sustainability, and effectiveness of such programs. In this article, we aim to explore how poor and remote households face structural inequities and social exclusion in accessing nutrition-specific programs in Pakistan. The study specifically highlights significant reasons for the low coverage of the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program in one of the most marginalized districts of south Punjab. Qualitative data are collected using in-depth interviews and FGDs with mothers and health and nutrition officials. The study reveals that mothers' access to the program is restricted by multiple structural, logistical, social, and behavioral causes. At the district level, certain populations are served, while illiterate, and poor mothers with lower cultural capital from rural and remote areas are neglected. The lack of funding for nutrition causes the deprioritization of nutrition by the health bureaucracy. The subsequent work burden on Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and the lack of proper training of field staff impact the screening of SAM cases. Moreover, medical corruption in the distribution of therapeutic food, long distances, traveling or staying difficulties, the lack of social capital, and the stigmatization of mothers are other prominent difficulties. The study concludes that nutrition governance in Pakistan must address these critical challenges so that optimal therapeutic coverage can be achieved.
严重急性营养不良(SAM)是许多低收入和中等收入国家(LMICs)的严重公共卫生问题。治疗方案通常被认为是解决这一问题的最有效方法。然而,多种社会和结构性因素挑战了这些方案的社会包容、可持续性和有效性。在本文中,我们旨在探讨巴基斯坦贫困和偏远家庭在获得营养特定方案方面面临的结构性不平等和社会排斥问题。该研究特别强调了在旁遮普省最边缘化的地区之一,社区管理急性营养不良(CMAM)方案覆盖范围低的重要原因。使用深度访谈和与母亲和卫生与营养官员的焦点小组讨论收集定性数据。研究表明,母亲获得该方案受到多种结构性、后勤性、社会性和行为性原因的限制。在地区一级,某些人群得到了服务,而来自农村和偏远地区的文盲和贫困母亲以及文化资本较低的母亲则被忽视。营养资金不足导致卫生官僚机构将营养工作放在次要地位。随后,对 Lady Health Workers(LHWs)的工作负担以及现场工作人员缺乏适当培训,影响了 SAM 病例的筛查。此外,治疗食品分配中的医疗腐败、长途跋涉、旅行或住宿困难、社会资本匮乏以及母亲的污名化等也是突出的困难。研究结论认为,巴基斯坦的营养治理必须应对这些关键挑战,以实现最佳治疗覆盖。