Quality of Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Services for Malnourished Children at Princess Marie Louise Hospital

Abstract

Background: Given the high level of mortality associated with severe malnutrition, it is important that high quality care is provided for children suffering from it. Objective: To assess the quality of services rendered to malnourished children under the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition programme at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital from the perspective of mothers of malnourished children, as weJl as healthcare professionals. Methods: A flexible study design, anchored on qualitative methods was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight (8) mothers and the four (4) healthcare providers working at the centre. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the healthcare providers, and random sampling was used to select the mothers. An observation of the care processes conducted by the healthcare providers was also conducted with a checklist. Framework analysis was used to generate themes from the collected data. Results: Mothers of children on the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition programme and healthcare providers alike found the quality of the programme in Princess Marie Louise hospital to be very good. Positive opinions of healthcare providers' skills, recovery rates of their children and a relationship of collaboration and peaceful coexistence between mothers and healthcare providers largely influenced perceptions of quality of care. Mothers unanimously rated the physical environment poorly. Mothers experienced long waiting times when they had to visit the outpatient department of the main hospital before going to the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition centre. Conclusion: From both perspectives, overall quality of care under the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition programme at Princess Marie Louise was good. Improvement in provision of resources, training of staff and regular supervision would belp further improve upon the quality of care under the CMAM programme at PML.