Practical implementation guide for the Mother MUAC and oedema screening strategy in Tokombéré Health District, Cameroon
This guide presents the implementation of the Mother MUAC and Oedema Strategy, an approach that trains mothers and caregivers to detect acute malnutrition in children by measuring mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and checking for bilateral oedema. The strategy aims to improve early identification, referral, and treatment coverage of acute malnutrition by placing families at the centre of community-based screening
1st March 2018
Action Against Hunger
This implementation guide, describes a community-based approach to strengthening the early detection of acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months in the Tokombéré Health District of Cameroon. The Mother MUAC and Oedema Strategy empowers mothers and primary caregivers to regularly screen their own children using a colour-coded MUAC tape and by checking for bilateral pitting oedema. The document outlines the rationale for the approach, beneficiary targeting, stakeholder engagement, training of health workers, community volunteers and mothers, referral pathways for children identified as malnourished, monitoring indicators, and supervision mechanisms. By transferring screening responsibilities from community health volunteers to families, the strategy seeks to improve the timeliness of case detection, increase treatment coverage, reduce severe complications at admission, and enhance the sustainability of community-based management of acute malnutrition.