Recorded presentation

Lynn Johnson, MPH and Piedad Villegas, RN. Universidad Nur, Av. America E-945, Casilla 6229, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 591-4-445-0782, lynnjohnson@bo.net

Nur University and PROCOSI have been implementing an innovative child health program based on the IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses) approach in 40 rural communities in the region of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The program’s objectives were to:

1)Improve health indicators for children under five years of age, with a focus on nutritional improvement;

2)Empower indigenous Quechua women to assume leadership roles in safeguarding child health;

3)Develop a community epidemiological surveillance system, monitored by the women themselves; and

4)Establish learning and teaching through peer education as an integral part of community life.

Results included an increase of children under the age of two who receive exclusive breastfeeding (65% to 87%); a decrease in early weaning (35% to 13%); an increase of immediate breastfeeding (12% to 86%); an increase of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life (33% to 90%); increase in participation in growth monitoring of children under 2 years of age every 4 months (11% to 99%), and an increase in children with complete immunization coverage (7% to 54%).

Transformational leadership became a reality as women started seeing themselves as ¨Madres Vigilantes¨ (Vigilant Mothers). This new vision permitted over 200 women to take actions consistent with the future of healthy children- not only their own, but all the children in their community. Women learned to use a simple community epidemiological surveillance system and to track progress on a trimester basis, which then enabled them to plan new activities based on results obtained.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to desribe and develop an innovative methodology to improve children's health, through the empowerment of local women.

Keywords: Child Health, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation