Armenian mothers gain vital health knowledge through support groups
Nutrition, hygiene, the negative influence of smoking on a child, care of a sick child and the importance of immunisations are all discussed during the group meetings, which are facilitated by either local health care providers or health specialists from World Vision Armenia.
Established as part of the “Healthy Nutrition for Children and their Families in Talin Communities” project, the groups create a chance for many women who have almost no place to turn for advice to learn practical ways of providing healthy nutrition and proper care for their children.
“Many mothers used to treat their children by an unreasonable usage of anti-biotic medications, as well as some medicines with sweet tasting pills which are not appropriate for children. This seemingly easy way of treatment could become a real hazard for children’s growth and health”, says Ruzanna Manukyan, World Vision Armenia Health Specialist.
“It is a real relief that through these Mother Support Group meetings many mothers have started to realise the danger of this practice and will never try it again”, continues Ruzanna.
“I have been a member of the Mother Support Group for a year now. I have a daughter and a son. By participating in the meetings and gaining useful information I can now avoid the mistakes I made when my children were younger”, says Arusyak Sahakyan, 25.
“Pretty often we use traditional home remedies; these meetings help us to be sure whether the recipes we use are appropriate and how we can make the best use out of them”, says Nelli Hakobyan, 26.
And this vital learning isn’t intended for the Mother Support Groups alone. Each mother in the support group has an obligation to inform another five young women who have children or are pregnant about healthy lifestyles and good nutrition for their children.
In addition, women enrich their knowledge through regular meetings with the local doctor, training courses conducted by World Vision Armenia health specialists, and through targeted publications issued by World Vision.
“Parents and parents-to-be need to prioritise healthy nutrition and lifestyle as cornerstones for healthy child growth. We want to achieve this through promotion of healthy, balanced, safe, and age-appropriate nutrition”, says World Vision Armenia Health Expert Avetik Harutyunyants.
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Established as part of the “Healthy Nutrition for Children and their Families in Talin Communities” project, the groups create a chance for many women who have almost no place to turn for advice to learn practical ways of providing healthy nutrition and proper care for their children.
“Many mothers used to treat their children by an unreasonable usage of anti-biotic medications, as well as some medicines with sweet tasting pills which are not appropriate for children. This seemingly easy way of treatment could become a real hazard for children’s growth and health”, says Ruzanna Manukyan, World Vision Armenia Health Specialist.
“It is a real relief that through these Mother Support Group meetings many mothers have started to realise the danger of this practice and will never try it again”, continues Ruzanna.
“I have been a member of the Mother Support Group for a year now. I have a daughter and a son. By participating in the meetings and gaining useful information I can now avoid the mistakes I made when my children were younger”, says Arusyak Sahakyan, 25.
“Pretty often we use traditional home remedies; these meetings help us to be sure whether the recipes we use are appropriate and how we can make the best use out of them”, says Nelli Hakobyan, 26.
And this vital learning isn’t intended for the Mother Support Groups alone. Each mother in the support group has an obligation to inform another five young women who have children or are pregnant about healthy lifestyles and good nutrition for their children.
In addition, women enrich their knowledge through regular meetings with the local doctor, training courses conducted by World Vision Armenia health specialists, and through targeted publications issued by World Vision.
“Parents and parents-to-be need to prioritise healthy nutrition and lifestyle as cornerstones for healthy child growth. We want to achieve this through promotion of healthy, balanced, safe, and age-appropriate nutrition”, says World Vision Armenia Health Expert Avetik Harutyunyants.
-Ends-
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