The diploma thesis deals with children´s malnutrition in Peruvian department of San Martín. The issue is related to children´s health condition as well as to diseases linked with deficiency of nutrients, which can have impact on their physical and mental development. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the effectivity of the project conducted in the native communities of Chirikyacu and Aviación during the period of ten months between May 2015 and March 2016. Theoretic part of this thesis is aimed at technical aspects of malnutrition and nutrition as well as at health support programs in Peru, which are established in order to improve the local situation. The goal of the thesis was achieved by conducting a local survey research focused on nutrition and feeding habits in the community. Value of effect is measured by the comparison of feeding habits before the educational program and after its termination. The project was aimed at educating mothers in the field of children´s care such as hygienic habits, proper nutrition and sufficient standard of aliments so that the correct development of child is not threatened. Results of the investigation have shown that on the base of the realized project the majority of mothers have changed their previous way of thinking about products suitable for health of the family.

O estudo avaliou a influência de diversas formas de fototerapia na cicatrização de úlceras cutâneas de ratos nutridos e desnutridos (desnutrição induzida). No 1º experimento, de 60 ratos Wistar sob controle dietético, 30 foram selecionados aleatoriamente, recebendo metade da dieta diária para indução de desnutrição (marasmo), confirmada pela perda de massa corporal, sinais clínicos e dosagem de albumina sérica. Os animais nutridos (N) e desnutridos (D) foram distribuídos em grupos (n=10) conforme tratamento fototerápico, a saber: aparelhos desligados (LED e laser - sham) e ligados (4 LED\'s 660 nm e 32 LED\'s 890 nm, 500 mW; e laser HeNe 632,8 nm, 3 mW), sendo designados GNS, GNL, GNH, GDS, GDL e GDH, respectivamente. Duas úlceras cutâneas foram realizadas com punch 8 mm e irradiadas 3 vezes por semana durante 14 dias. Os programas LAS e Photoshop foram utilizados para análise histológica (HE) da espessura da pele após o período de desnutrição, e o ImageJ para análise das imagens e cálculo do índice de cicatrização das úlceras no 7º e 14º dias, além da análise histológica (tricrômio de Gomori) para avaliação da colagênese após a desnutrição e no 14º pós-operatório. No 2º experimento 30 ratos receberam dieta controle e 30 receberam dieta normoprotéica associada à proteína de baixa qualidade (gelatina) para induzir desnutrição. A distribuição dos animais em grupos foi semelhante ao experimento 1, porém utilizando o aparelho de laser de diodo (L1 660 nm e L2 808 nm, 100 mW), sendo designados GNS, GNL1, GNL2, GDS, GDL1 e GDL2, respectivamente. A confirmação da desnutrição, o procedimento cirúrgico, protocolo de tratamento e as análises de imagens e histológicas seguiram a mesma metodologia do experimento 1. Os resultados do experimento 1 mostraram que após o período de desnutrição, a espessura da derme dos animais desnutridos apresentou-se menor (p<0,0001) em relação aos nutridos, assim como o percentual da ) colagênese (p<0,0005). No 7º dia pós-operatório as úlceras do GDS apresentaram menores ICU\'s em relação aos GNS (p<0,01), GDL (p<0,001) e GDH (p<0,05). No 14º dia, as úlceras do GNS apresentaram maiores ICU\'s em relação ao GNH e GDS (p<0,05) e GDH (p<0,01), assim como as do GDL em relação ao GDH (p<0,05). Histologicamente, o GDS apresentou menor percentual de colágeno em relação ao GNS (p<0,05), GNH, GDL e GDH (p<0,01). Os resultados do experimento 2 mostraram que após a desnutrição, a espessura da derme dos animais desnutridos apresentou-se menor (p<0,0001) em relação aos nutridos, assim como o percentual da colagênese (p<0,03). No 7º dia, as úlceras do GDS apresentaram menores ICU\'s em relação aos demais grupos (p<0,001). No 14º dia não houve diferença entre os grupos (p<0,05). Histologicamente, o GDS apresentou menor percentual de colágeno que os demais grupos (p<0,001), e os grupos desnutridos tratados com laser apresentaram maior percentual de colágeno que os demais grupos (p<0,001). Os resultados evidenciaram a influência negativa da desnutrição na cicatrização, e que as diversas formas de fototerapia apresentaram efeito bioestimulador na cicatrização e colagênese nas úlceras cutâneas de ratos desnutridos em comparação à cicatrização natural e fotoestimulada nos grupos nutridos. / The study evaluated the influence of various forms of phototherapy in the healing of cutaneous wounds in nourished and undernourished rats (induced malnutrition). In the 1st experiment, from 60 rats under control diet, 30 were randomly selected to receive half of the daily diet for induction of malnutrition (marasmus), confirmed by loss of body weight, clinical signs and serum albumin. Nourished (N) and undernourished (U) animals have been distributed into groups (n=10) according phototherapic treatment, viz: off devices (LED and laser - sham) and on devices (4 LEDs 660 nm, 32 LEDs 890 nm, 500 mW, and HeNe laser 632.8 nm, 3 mW) and they were designed GNS, GNL, GNH, GUS, GUL and GUH, respectively. Two 8mm dorsal cutaneous wounds were punched and irradiated 3 times per week for 14 days. LAS and Photoshop softwares were used for histological analysis (HE) of the skin thickness after malnutrition time, and ImageJ for analysis of images to calculate the wound healing rate in 7th and 14th days, besides the histological analysis (Gomori trichrome) to calculate the colagenesis after the malnutrition time and in 14th post operative day. In the 2nd experiment 30 rats have received control diet and 30 received normal protein diet associated of low quality protein (gelatin) to induce malnutrition. The distribution of animals in groups was similar to experiment 1, but using a diode laser device (L1 660 nm and L2 808nm, 100 mW) and they were designed GNS, GNL1, GNL2, GDS, GDL1 and GDL2 respectively. The malnutrition status, the surgical proceeding, the protocol for treatment and analysis of histological images followed the same methods used in experiment 1. The results of experiment 1 showed that after malnutrition time, the thickness of the dermis in the undernourished animals was lower (p<0.0001) than nourished even as the percentage of coallagenesis (p<0.0005). In the 7th post operative day the wound healing rates were lower in the GUS than GNS (p<0.01), GUL (p<0.001) and GUH (p<0.05). In the 14th day, the WHRs were higher in the GNS than GNH, GUS (p<0.05) and GUH (p<0.05). Histologically, the GUS showed lower percentage of collagen than GNS (p<0.05), GNH, GUL and GUH (p<0.01). In experiment 2, the results showed that after malnutrition time, the thickness of the dermis of the undernourished animals was lower (p<0.0001) than nourished, as well as the percentage of collagenesis (p<0.03). In the 7th day, the WHRs were lower in the GUS than other groups (p<0.001). In 14th day there was no difference between groups (p<0.05). Histologically, the GUS presented lower percentage of collagen than the other groups (p<0.001), and the undernourished group treated with laser presented higher percentage of collagen than other groups (p<0.001). The results showed the negative influence of the malnutrition in the wound healing and that the various kinds of phototherapy presented biostimulator effect in the cutaneous wound healing and collagenesis in undernourished rats as compared to natural and photostimulated healing in the nourished groups.

O estudo avaliou a influência de diversas formas de fototerapia na cicatrização de úlceras cutâneas de ratos nutridos e desnutridos (desnutrição induzida). No 1º experimento, de 60 ratos Wistar sob controle dietético, 30 foram selecionados aleatoriamente, recebendo metade da dieta diária para indução de desnutrição (marasmo), confirmada pela perda de massa corporal, sinais clínicos e dosagem de albumina sérica. Os animais nutridos (N) e desnutridos (D) foram distribuídos em grupos (n=10) conforme tratamento fototerápico, a saber: aparelhos desligados (LED e laser - sham) e ligados (4 LED\'s 660 nm e 32 LED\'s 890 nm, 500 mW; e laser HeNe 632,8 nm, 3 mW), sendo designados GNS, GNL, GNH, GDS, GDL e GDH, respectivamente. Duas úlceras cutâneas foram realizadas com punch 8 mm e irradiadas 3 vezes por semana durante 14 dias. Os programas LAS e Photoshop foram utilizados para análise histológica (HE) da espessura da pele após o período de desnutrição, e o ImageJ para análise das imagens e cálculo do índice de cicatrização das úlceras no 7º e 14º dias, além da análise histológica (tricrômio de Gomori) para avaliação da colagênese após a desnutrição e no 14º pós-operatório. No 2º experimento 30 ratos receberam dieta controle e 30 receberam dieta normoprotéica associada à proteína de baixa qualidade (gelatina) para induzir desnutrição. A distribuição dos animais em grupos foi semelhante ao experimento 1, porém utilizando o aparelho de laser de diodo (L1 660 nm e L2 808 nm, 100 mW), sendo designados GNS, GNL1, GNL2, GDS, GDL1 e GDL2, respectivamente. A confirmação da desnutrição, o procedimento cirúrgico, protocolo de tratamento e as análises de imagens e histológicas seguiram a mesma metodologia do experimento 1. Os resultados do experimento 1 mostraram que após o período de desnutrição, a espessura da derme dos animais desnutridos apresentou-se menor (p<0,0001) em relação aos nutridos, assim como o percentual da ) colagênese (p<0,0005). No 7º dia pós-operatório as úlceras do GDS apresentaram menores ICU\'s em relação aos GNS (p<0,01), GDL (p<0,001) e GDH (p<0,05). No 14º dia, as úlceras do GNS apresentaram maiores ICU\'s em relação ao GNH e GDS (p<0,05) e GDH (p<0,01), assim como as do GDL em relação ao GDH (p<0,05). Histologicamente, o GDS apresentou menor percentual de colágeno em relação ao GNS (p<0,05), GNH, GDL e GDH (p<0,01). Os resultados do experimento 2 mostraram que após a desnutrição, a espessura da derme dos animais desnutridos apresentou-se menor (p<0,0001) em relação aos nutridos, assim como o percentual da colagênese (p<0,03). No 7º dia, as úlceras do GDS apresentaram menores ICU\'s em relação aos demais grupos (p<0,001). No 14º dia não houve diferença entre os grupos (p<0,05). Histologicamente, o GDS apresentou menor percentual de colágeno que os demais grupos (p<0,001), e os grupos desnutridos tratados com laser apresentaram maior percentual de colágeno que os demais grupos (p<0,001). Os resultados evidenciaram a influência negativa da desnutrição na cicatrização, e que as diversas formas de fototerapia apresentaram efeito bioestimulador na cicatrização e colagênese nas úlceras cutâneas de ratos desnutridos em comparação à cicatrização natural e fotoestimulada nos grupos nutridos. / The study evaluated the influence of various forms of phototherapy in the healing of cutaneous wounds in nourished and undernourished rats (induced malnutrition). In the 1st experiment, from 60 rats under control diet, 30 were randomly selected to receive half of the daily diet for induction of malnutrition (marasmus), confirmed by loss of body weight, clinical signs and serum albumin. Nourished (N) and undernourished (U) animals have been distributed into groups (n=10) according phototherapic treatment, viz: off devices (LED and laser - sham) and on devices (4 LEDs 660 nm, 32 LEDs 890 nm, 500 mW, and HeNe laser 632.8 nm, 3 mW) and they were designed GNS, GNL, GNH, GUS, GUL and GUH, respectively. Two 8mm dorsal cutaneous wounds were punched and irradiated 3 times per week for 14 days. LAS and Photoshop softwares were used for histological analysis (HE) of the skin thickness after malnutrition time, and ImageJ for analysis of images to calculate the wound healing rate in 7th and 14th days, besides the histological analysis (Gomori trichrome) to calculate the colagenesis after the malnutrition time and in 14th post operative day. In the 2nd experiment 30 rats have received control diet and 30 received normal protein diet associated of low quality protein (gelatin) to induce malnutrition. The distribution of animals in groups was similar to experiment 1, but using a diode laser device (L1 660 nm and L2 808nm, 100 mW) and they were designed GNS, GNL1, GNL2, GDS, GDL1 and GDL2 respectively. The malnutrition status, the surgical proceeding, the protocol for treatment and analysis of histological images followed the same methods used in experiment 1. The results of experiment 1 showed that after malnutrition time, the thickness of the dermis in the undernourished animals was lower (p<0.0001) than nourished even as the percentage of coallagenesis (p<0.0005). In the 7th post operative day the wound healing rates were lower in the GUS than GNS (p<0.01), GUL (p<0.001) and GUH (p<0.05). In the 14th day, the WHRs were higher in the GNS than GNH, GUS (p<0.05) and GUH (p<0.05). Histologically, the GUS showed lower percentage of collagen than GNS (p<0.05), GNH, GUL and GUH (p<0.01). In experiment 2, the results showed that after malnutrition time, the thickness of the dermis of the undernourished animals was lower (p<0.0001) than nourished, as well as the percentage of collagenesis (p<0.03). In the 7th day, the WHRs were lower in the GUS than other groups (p<0.001). In 14th day there was no difference between groups (p<0.05). Histologically, the GUS presented lower percentage of collagen than the other groups (p<0.001), and the undernourished group treated with laser presented higher percentage of collagen than other groups (p<0.001). The results showed the negative influence of the malnutrition in the wound healing and that the various kinds of phototherapy presented biostimulator effect in the cutaneous wound healing and collagenesis in undernourished rats as compared to natural and photostimulated healing in the nourished groups.

Malnutrition is one of the serious childhood problems that affect children under five (5) years of age, and is common in developing countries Botswana included. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of mothers of children diagnosed with malnutrition in Botswana, specifically at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, Serowe. The said hospital is a district hospital which renders services to Serowe community and the surrounding villages, as such; participants in this study were from Serowe and other surrounding villages like Mabou, Tshimoyapula, Mmashoro and Mogorosi. Applied research was used as a type of research because it is associated with the researcher’s motivation to assist in solving a particular problem facing a particular community. Collective case study was used as a research design. The researcher explored the perceptions of mothers regarding child malnutrition; through the use of semi-structured interviews. Twelve (12) mothers of children with malnutrition were interviewed using systematic random sampling method and subsequently data was analysed according to Creswell’s model. Literature study was done and the following aspects were discussed: Child malnutrition in developing countries; child malnutrition in Botswana; description of child malnutrition; causes of child malnutrition; symptoms of child malnutrition; treatment of child malnutrition; prevention of child malnutrition; psychosocial implications of child malnutrition on the patient, family and community and social work intervention (therapy and prevention). Literature was also compared with research findings when analysing data. The study revealed that mothers had limited knowledge on malnutrition as a condition, the signs and symptoms thereof; causes; prevention and treatment of child malnutrition. This lack of knowledge made mothers to have wrong perceptions about child malnutrition. It was revealed that mothers did not perceive malnutrition as a serious problem that can result in admission for treatment in a hospital, they expected a different diagnosis. They perceive malnutrition as a secondary diagnosis. The majority of mothers had a Setswana diagnosis for their children’s condition. Mothers perceived the signs and symptoms of malnutrition as those of Thibamo, Phogwana (fontanel), or Ntsana. They interpret malnutrition as a Setswana ailment that can be treated traditionally. Factors that were identified to be contributing to malnutrition among children at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital in Serowe were found to be; lack of knowledge about malnutrition, wrong perceptions of malnutrition by mothers, illiteracy and unemployment, and cultural factors like taking a child to a traditional healer instead of a medical health facility. The study shows that mothers’ social functioning is disrupted by their children’s illness and hospitalization and thus a need for support from the hospital multi-disciplinary team, especially the social worker who is a trained counselor. The social worker should provide ongoing supportive counseling during the process of the child’s illness. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted