Clínica Verde (Green Clinic): Prenatal Nutrition Program – Maternal and Child Health Program
In areas of our region that are difficult to access, increasing people’s access to health services is only part of the puzzle. To improve the levels of nutrition and wellbeing of mothers and children in these communities, it is also necessary to work to improve practices in the household. Clinica Verde’s Prenatal Nutrition Program in Nicaragua specifically aims to improve these practices by sharing knowledge about nutrition with mothers, empowering communities, and strengthening support networks. This initiative is innovative because it responds to a local need with interactive strategies that aim to generate changes in practices and to empower mothers and their communities.
Problematic
Maternal and infant mortality continues to be one of the main problems in Latin America and the Caribbean even though many of its causes are preventable. Nicaragua is no exception, especially with respect to mothers in rural areas, who are disproportionately affected. In particular, the use of maternal and child health services is constrained by the large distances between communities and health centers, as well as by cultural practices and beliefs that reinforce negative perceptions about the services. These factors act as barriers and increase the risks to maternal-child health.
Solution
With a community focus, the program is directed toward mothers, with the aim to create support networks among them and to improve knowledge about nutrition starting with the early stage of pregnancy. The program teaches pregnant mothers about the stages of development and prenatal care, breastfeeding, and nutrition for mothers and children. For 10 weeks, the mothers receive interactive lessons with content oriented towards promoting behavioral changes. In addition, they receive training in gardening, identification of nutritious fruits and vegetables, and food preparation practices. The program also follows up on the mothers and their babies and provides ultrasound services, supplements, and vaccines, as well as seeds to mothers so that they can plant their own home gardens.
Evaluation and Impact
A report on the results of the program is available in 10 rural areas where it provided care for 300 women. The good news: the results show that the program improves the mothers’ knowledge about nutrition, and that it has helped them recognize symptoms of malnutrition in their children.