Effects of Household Economic Strengthening

Research report on Economic Strengthening (ES) to improve households'(HH) care for vulnerable children. Scanty information exists on outcomes beyond counting of program services. Outcomes on child well-being; health, nutrition and protection are poorly understood. Knowledge gaps exists to inform stakeholders of interventions which could impact OVC well-being. Study assessed health, nutrition and protection outcomes of OVC (6-59 months) in Migori. Study design was comparative cross-sectional survey, with purposive and random sampling of 400 HH (200 intervention & 200 non-intervention). Quantitative and qualitative data was collected, then analyzed using STATA, and manual transcription. Chi-square and t-tests established that intervention HH OVC had significantly (P0.05) better Health; {malaria (X2=32.806, P=0.00), diarrhea, (X2=30.027, P=0.000), immunized (X2=27.845, P=0.000)}, and Nutrition; {MUAC (t=-7.596, P=0.000), WAZ (t=-2.386, P=0.008), HAZ (t=-1.845, P=0.032)} and were better Protected from abuse (X2=22.809, P=0.000) and neglect (X2=1.88, P=0.170). It concluded that ES improved OVC well-being, and recommended linkages with protection safety nets, and further research on ES.