Table 6.
Summary of the reported changes in participants’ perception about malnutrition and its management.
| Category | Description and example quotes | Total (N=282), n (%) |
| Perception about malnutrition | Changes in views and perceptions about causes of malnutrition At first I saw malnutrition as either a curse or it happens to children of parents with low socio-economic background but now I see it in a different light. [Nutrition trainee, Ghana] My perception was some child was born with some malnutrition diseases like marasmus. But it has changed because I have learnt in e-learning that is not true. [Nurse trainee, Ghana] My perception about SAM has changed greatly and this has increased my knowledge on the causes and prevention of SAM. [Nurse trainee, Ghana] |
55 (19.5) |
| Assessment of malnutrition | Perception change about physiological and visual characteristics, assessment, and diagnosis of malnutrition There are visible characteristics that before [we] did not take into account for diagnosing malnutrition. [Nutrition graduate, Guatemala] Previously I thought it was only children with severe muscle wasting that were malnourished but I now know that oedematous children are equally malnourished. [Nurse trainee, Ghana] It has helped me to differentiate between chronic and acute malnutrition and the signs and symptoms associated with them. [Principal midwifery officer, Ghana] |
51 (18.1) |
| Management and treatment of SAM | Change in participants’ understanding about how and where to treat children with SAMa In relation to indicators and treatment options, that is, if hospital or community. [Nutrition graduate, El Salvador] Initially I thought that when stabilize the patient you can just send them home but later I learnt that we have stages. We have the stabilization phase, rehabilitation and recuperation stages, so it changed. [Health professional, Ghana] Not all malnourished children should be treated as inpatient. First you need to classify before you start treatment for either in-patient or outpatient. [Nutrition trainee, Ghana] |
127 (45.0) |
| Professional roles | Perception change about participants’ professional role in the management of SAM Well at first I thought it was only the medical officers who were supposed to treat the medical complications e.g. hypothermia and others but [now] I realize that I could also do it. If not, I could give the instruction for someone to also do it. [Health professional, Ghana] First when I go out to work and I see those children, I do not always want to bring them close but with the e-learning I got to know that they also need love and also education. [Nurse, Ghana] |
26 (9.2) |
| Other | Importance of educating mothers; self-confidence in the management of SAM and eLearning use; views about eLearning ...through the e-learning course I have come to understand that if the mother or caretaker is not well counselled on how to care, prevent and feed the child well, the child’s health will not improve. [Community health worker, Ghana] E-Learning will help equip nurses and all individuals including myself with the requisite knowledge to detect, manage, educate and treat all SAM cases as I have gained knowledge. [Nurse trainee, Ghana] |
23 (8.2) |
aSAM: severe acute malnutrition.