Readiness of Mozambique Health Facilities to Address Undernutrition and Diarrhea in Children under Five: Indicators from 2018 and 2021 Survey Data

Abstract

The World Health Organization’s systems framework shows that service delivery is key to addressing pressing health needs. Inadequate healthcare and the lack of healthcare services are factors associated with undernutrition and diarrhea in children under five, two health conditions with high morbi-mortality rates in Mozambique. The aim of the analysis was to determine the readiness score of nutrition and diarrhea services for children under five and the influence of malaria and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) service readiness on the readiness of these two services. A total of 1644 public health facilities in Mozambique were included from the 2018 Service Availability and Readiness Assessment. Additionally, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the availability and readiness scores of nutrition services in 2021 in five referral health facilities. The availability of nutrition and diarrhea services for children is low in Mozambique, with both scoring below 75%. Major unavailability was observed for human resources, guidelines, and training dimensions. Diarrhea (median (IQ): 72.2% (66.7 to 83.3)) and nutrition service readiness (median (IQ): 57.1% (52.4 to 57.1)) scores were significantly different (p < 0.001), while it is desirable for both services to be comprehensively ready. Nutrition services are positively associated with diarrhea service readiness and both services are associated with malaria and HIV service readiness (p < 0.05). None of the health facilities had all tracer items available and none of the facilities were considered ready (100%). There is a persisting need to invest comprehensively in readiness dimensions, within and across child health services.