Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Utilization of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food in Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Kinango Sub-County, Kwale County

The issue of malnutrition, encompassing both overnutrition and undernutrition, remains a significant global challenge with severe consequences, especially for children under the age of five. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is particularly detrimental, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates among affected children. Despite progress in reducing the global burden of SAM, it continues to affect millions of children worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing a significant portion of the burden. This study aimed to investigate the socioeconomic factors affecting utilization of ready-to-use therapeutic food in the management of severe acute malnutrition in Kinango sub-county, Kwale County, Kenya. Adopting a longitudinal cross-sectional study design, the study enrolled 220 severely malnourished children receiving RUTF and followed them for three months. Several external factors can influence the effectiveness of RUTF. These include: co-existing illnesses, such as infections or chronic conditions which hinder recovery and reduce the efficacy of RUTF, inadequate food at home limit the overall nutritional recovery, as RUTF alone cannot address broader food insecurity, prolonged waiting times at the health facility can discourage caregivers from seeking treatment, leading to incomplete recovery, insufficient follow-up by health workers can result in missed opportunities to address complications, monitor progress, and ensure adherence to treatment protocols. Recommendations include multifaceted approaches to improve caregiver practices, comprehensive training for health workers, and ensuring consistent RUTF supply at health facilities.