FAMILY / MOTHER MUAC TRAINING REPORT

Project Title

Provision of Life-Saving, Community-Based Preventive Nutrition Assistance to Vulnerable Populations in Hard-to-Reach Areas

Implementing Organization

Somali Helping Hands Association (SOHHA)

Donor Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF)

Location

(12) Targeted Villages: Baacaad, Baacadbuke, Dabeyl, Dharkeynta, Farlibaax, Gasle, Guriyacade, Kabxanleey, Lafoole, Qooqane, Qoydo villages, and Siigaaloow fixed cemter

Reporting Period September – 31 October 2025

Target Group

Caregivers and Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW)

Total Trainees

4,000 participants

Female: 3,200
Male: 800

1. Background and Context

Acute malnutrition remains a critical public health concern in Beledweyne District, particularly among children under five years of age. Limited access to health facilities, recurrent shocks, and low awareness of early malnutrition signs contribute to late detection and delayed treatment.

To address these challenges, SOHHA, with support from SHF, implemented Family/Mother MUAC training as a community-based approach to empower caregivers and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) to identify early signs of malnutrition at household level and seek timely care.

The Family MUAC approach is globally recognized as an effective strategy for improving early detection, referral, and treatment outcomes for acute malnutrition through direct caregiver involvement.

2. Training Objectives

Overall Objective

To strengthen early detection and referral of acute malnutrition through empowering caregivers and PLW with practical skills in the Family/Mother MUAC approach.

Specific Objectives

To build caregivers’ capacity to correctly use MUAC tapes at household level
To increase community awareness of early warning signs of acute malnutrition
To promote timely referral of malnourished children to nearby health and nutrition facilities
To reduce delays in treatment-seeking behavior and prevent severe malnutrition cases

3. Target Population

The training targeted caregivers and PLW residing in eight selected villages and IDP camps within Beledweyne District, focusing on households with children under five years of age.

Participant Breakdown:

Female caregivers and PLW: 3,200
Male caregivers: 800

Male participation was encouraged to strengthen household-level support and shared responsibility for child nutrition.

4. Training Methodology

The Family MUAC training sessions were conducted using participatory and practical approaches, including:

Interactive group discussions
Live demonstrations using color-coded MUAC tapes
Hands-on practice sessions
Question-and-answer sessions
Use of visual aids and locally appropriate examples

Training was delivered in the Somali language to ensure full comprehension.

5. Training Content

The training curriculum covered the following key topics:

Overview of Acute Malnutrition

Definition and types of malnutrition (SAM and MAM)
Causes and consequences of malnutrition

Introduction to Family/Mother MUAC

Purpose and importance of Family MUAC
Role of caregivers and PLW in early detection

Use of MUAC Tape

How to correctly position and read the MUAC tape
Understanding color codes (Green, Yellow, Red)
Frequency of MUAC measurement at home

Identification of Danger Signs

Weight loss, poor appetite, swelling (edema)
When to seek immediate medical care

Referral Pathways

Where and how to refer malnourished children
Importance of timely referral and follow-up

Care Practices

Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) key messages
Hygiene and sanitation practices linked to nutrition

6. Training Implementation

The training was rolled out across eight targeted locations through multiple sessions to ensure manageable group sizes and effective learning. Sessions were facilitated by trained SOHHA nutrition officers, community health workers (CHWs), and supervisors.

Community leaders and local health partners were engaged to mobilize participants and support training acceptance at community level.

7. Key Achievements

4,000 caregivers and PLW successfully trained on Family MUAC
Increased caregiver confidence in identifying malnutrition at household level
Improved awareness of early referral pathways for malnourished children
Enhanced male caregiver involvement in child nutrition monitoring
Strengthened community ownership of malnutrition prevention efforts

8. Challenges and Mitigation Measures

Challenges

Low literacy levels among some caregivers
Initial misconceptions about MUAC tape use
Competing household responsibilities affecting attendance

Mitigation Measures

Emphasis on demonstrations and practical exercises
Use of pictorial and color-based learning tools
Flexible session timing to accommodate caregivers

9. Lessons Learned

Practical, hands-on demonstrations significantly improve skill retention
Engaging both female and male caregivers enhances household-level impact
Repeated messaging and follow-up are essential for sustained practice of Family MUAC

10. Conclusion and Recommendations

The Family/Mother MUAC training successfully empowered caregivers and PLW in Beledweyne District with essential skills for early detection of acute malnutrition. The intervention contributes to timely referrals, reduced severity of cases, and improved child survival outcomes.

Recommendations