title: The Effectiveness of Community-Based Nutrition Education on the Nutrition Status of Under-five Children in Developing Countries. A Systematic Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review aimed at examining the best available evidence on the effectiveness of community-based nutrition education in improving the nutrition status of under five children in developing countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of the literature was conducted utilising the following data bases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Knowledge. 9 studies were identified for the critical appraisal process. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal check-list for experimental studies was utilised and two reviewers conducted the appraisal process independently. 7 studies were included for this review and data was extracted using the JBI data extraction form for experimental studies. The extracted data was heterogeneous as such narrative synthesis was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nutritional status of children in all studies improved and this was evidenced by increases in weight, height, mid upper arm circumference and reduced morbidity. Key messages about education were age at introduction of complementary foods, nutrition value on different types of feeds found locally and frequency of feeding the children. However, there were varied results regarding the effects of the intervention on the nutrition status of children. This was attributed by differences in implementers' characteristics, different intervention strategy and intensity, difference in age of the children at enrolment, pre-existing children's growth and nutritional status and follow-up periods. In addition to home visiting, conducting group meetings of care givers and community leaders, providing education twice a week and use of cooking demonstrations have shown that they produce highly significant findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence from the identified studies suggests that community- based nutrition education improves the nutrition status of under-five children in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Blantyre Campus, P.O Box 415, Blantyre.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Majamanda
authors.affiliation: Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Blantyre Campus, P.O Box 415, Blantyre.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maureen
authors.affiliation: Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Lilongwe Campus, P/Bag 1, Lilongwe.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Munkhondia
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, MSc RGN PGCE Dip.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care