Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39436940›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

How do gender norms contribute to stunting in Ntchisi District, Malawi? a qualitative study.

Whitney Mphangwe, Ann Nolan, Frédérique Vallières, Mairéad Finn

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Whitney MphangweTrinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Ann NolanTrinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Frédérique VallièresTrinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0001-6315-3029
Mairéad FinnTrinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0003-4805-6217

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimDespite adequate food production and nutrition intervention coverage, stunting remains an enduring problem in Ntchisi, Malawi. Globally, gender and social norms are known to influence nutritional outcomes in children. This study explores how gender norms contribute to child stunting, in Ntchisi district, Central Malawi. RESEARCH

methodsInformed by the UNICEF Framework for Malnutrition, nine focus group discussions were conducted with a target population of mothers (n = 24), fathers (n = 23) purposively targeted through growth monitoring sessions, and members of policy and health treatment committees (n = 21), spanning three different areas of Ntchisi district. Data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis, guided by the framework for Research in Gender and Ethics (RinGs).

resultsThree primary themes were identified: 1) gender unequal decision making on the consumption, sale and distribution of food; 2) enshrined community norms influence feeding practices underpinned by gender-based violence; and 3) policy disconnections and gaps that reinforce gender norms regarding nutrition. Themes encompassed practices across household, health treatment, and policy level.

conclusionGender norms that underpin inequalities in decision making for production and consumption of food undermine children's nourishment and contributes towards sustained child malnutrition in Ntchisi. Existing policy documents should revise their guidelines to incorporate gender norms as key determinants of malnutrition.

Indexed as

Growth DisordersQualitative ResearchAdultChildChild Nutrition DisordersChild, PreschoolFemaleFocus GroupsHumansInfantMalawiMaleSocial Norms

Identifiers

PMID39436940
PMCPMC11495627

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