Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2006;6(2):67-74.
Recognizing the multicausality in infant malnutrition: contributions to planning the nursing assistance in the community
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793200600008
Abstract
The infant malnutrition affects thousands of children in the entire world and in Brazil, as well. Recognizing the multicausality of malnutrition is a decisive factor in the planning of nursing treatment and prevention actions to community. This study aimed at identifying the main risk factors related to malnutrition among children following in a primary care setting in southern Brazil. An exploratory and descriptive study was developed with 10 families of undernourished children during home visits. Among the multicausal factors identified we highlight: access to health services during pregnancy, low birth weight child, young mothers, mothers who had a few years of educational background, child with recurrent infections, and precarious social environments. In conclusion, the multicausality was present in all cases. In this way, it is necessary to recognize this multicausal factors so that educative actions which have the family as the center of care can be developed, giving these families the essential subsidies to individual and social transformation.
Keywords: Infant malnutrition; Pediatric nursing; risk factor