The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66281

Catherine Speraw, MS and Kathryn Bolles, MPH. Hopital Sainte Croix Nutrition Program, 3319 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415, 423.877.2147, hscnutritn@aol.com

The purpose of this presentation is to outline the background research, implementation and data-to-date of a microcredit program for mothers of malnourished children in Leogane, Haiti. Participating mothers graduated from the Hearth program, a positive deviance-informed nutritional rehabilitation model that is community-based and time-limited in scope. Preliminary results indicated that long-term rehabilitation of severely malnourished children was lower than expected, and interviews with mothers revealed that a lack of economic resources was the primary reason for the children’s nutritional decline. Through a partnership with a local bank, programmers offered microcredit loans to mothers who participated in Hearth to determine if additional income into the household would positively affect child health. Interviews with mothers at varying stages of loan disbursement revealed their level of satisfaction with the loan program and their use of the business profits. Preliminary data indicate that mothers feel that the microcredit opportunity has allowed them to better care for their children. Researchers will present qualitative results as well as growth monitoring data (weight-for-age Z score) of children whose families did and did not participate in the microcredit opportunity.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants will be able to:
• List the barriers involved in implementing a nutrition program in Haiti
• Recognize microcredit as an alternative method for achieving sustained success in nutritional rehabilitation in resource-poor communities
• Create a plan of action for combining microcredit with other health initiatives in lesser-developed countries

Keywords: Child Health, Self-sufficiency and Empowerment

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.