Tajik Community Health Volunteers Improve Nutrition, Maternal Health, and Agriculture for Thousands

November 14, 2019Thousands of people in Tajikistan ' s Khatlon region now have greater access to health services, nutrition, and sanitation, thanks toFeed the Future Tajikistan Health& Nutrition Activity (THNA), implemented by IntraHealth International.In the twelve districts where IntraHealth conducts the USAID-funded work, in partnership with Abt Associates, widespread malnutrition leads to stunting, anemia, and poor maternal and child health, while infrastructure for proper sanitation and hygiene remains inadequate.THNA recruited and trained 1,300 health volunteers and 500 agriculture volunteers.To mitigate these issues, THNA recruited and trained 1,300 health volunteers and 500 agriculture volunteers who have given families access to health advice, agricultural skills, and necessary referrals.These interventions mark a significant shift toward healthy behaviors in the communities supported by THNA. Since 2016:The number of families that treat children with diarrhea by introducing more fluids has grown by from 33% to 80%.46% more families have soap present at a handwashing station.The number of women who had four or more antenatal care visits went from 57% to 86%.The percentage of non-breastfed children 6-23 months who receive a minimum acceptable diet has grown from 16% to 53%.Volunteers work across maternal and child health, hygiene, agriculture, and advocacy:Health volunteers regularly visit homes to check for new pregnancies, monitor the growth of young children, a...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Tajikistan Feed the Future Tajikistan Health and Nutrition Activity Maternal, Newborn, & Child Health Community Engagement Health Workforce Systems Primary Health Care Community Health Workers Source Type: news