The Role of Caring Practices and Resources for Care in Child Survival, Growth, and Development: South and Southeast Asia

Abstract

This paper evaluates the extent to which programs for improving nutrition in seven Asian countries evaluate care practices and resources for care, and how this understanding is incorporated into their plans. Care practices and resources for care are defined according to the UNICEF framework, and the more unfamiliar care practices are described. The value of including care in nutrition programs is shown through several model programs. The significance of care not only for nutrition, but also for child development is highlighted. The most commonly mentioned care practice in the seven countries was breastfeeding, and the most widely recognized resource for care was maternal education. Care practices such as psychosocial care and care for women received less attention, as did the autonomy or decision-making power of the caregiver. Although the importance of care practices and resources for care is recognized, recommendations are general and lack specificity. Program planners will need training in scientific disciplines such as psychology or anthropology in order to develop strategies for incorporating care into nutrition and child development programs.