Adaptation and Integration of Psychosocial Stimulation, Maternal Mental Health and Nutritional Interventions for Pregnant and Lactating Women in Rural Bangladesh

Fahmida Akter, Mahbubur Rahman, Helen O. Pitchik, Peter J. Winch, Lia C. H. Fernald, Tarique Mohammad Nurul Huda, Tania Jahir, Ruhul Amin, Jyoti Bhushan Das, Khobair Hossain, Abul Kashem Shoab, Rizwana Khan, Farzana Yeasmin, Jesmin Sultana, Stephen P. Luby and Fahmida Tofail
Additional contact information
Fahmida Akter: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Mahbubur Rahman: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Helen O. Pitchik: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Peter J. Winch: Department of International Health, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Lia C. H. Fernald: Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Tarique Mohammad Nurul Huda: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Tania Jahir: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Ruhul Amin: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Jyoti Bhushan Das: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Khobair Hossain: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Abul Kashem Shoab: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Rizwana Khan: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Farzana Yeasmin: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Jesmin Sultana: Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Stephen P. Luby: Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Fahmida Tofail: Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: Supporting caregivers’ mental wellbeing and ability to provide psychosocial stimulation may promote early childhood development. This paper describes the systematic approach of developing an integrated stimulation intervention, identifying the feasibility and challenges faced throughout the period. We developed an integrated curriculum by culturally adapting three interventions (Reach Up, Thinking Healthy, and general nutrition advice) and piloted this curriculum (Mar–April 2017) in courtyard groups sessions and individual home visits with pregnant women ( n = 11) and lactating mothers (of children <24 months) ( n = 29). We conducted qualitative interviews with the participants ( n = 8) and the community health workers who delivered the intervention ( n = 2). Most participants reported willingness to attend the sessions if extended for 1 year, and recommended additional visual cues and interactive role-play activities to make the sessions more engaging. Participants and community health workers found it difficult to understand the concept of “unhealthy thoughts” in the curriculum. This component was then revised to include a simplified behavior-focused story. Community health workers reported difficulty balancing the required content of the integrated curriculum but were able to manage after the contents were reduced. The revised intervention is likely feasible to deliver to a group of pregnant and lactating mothers in a low-resource setting.

Keywords: psychosocial stimulation; maternal mental health; nutrition; early childhood development; integrated intervention; adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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