Context
The nutrition situation in Tajikistan remains difficult. In particular, women of reproductive age, infants and young children are severely affected by malnutrition and undernourishment. Over 20 per cent of children under the age of five have physical and cognitive growth disorders. Micronutrient deficiencies are also widespread. In addition, misconceptions about nutrition abound and are passed from mothers-in-law to young women and thus down through the generations.
In addition, poor hygiene practices increase the burden of disease and limit the body’s ability to utilise nutrients properly. Local health and advisory services provide scarcely any nutrition and hygiene advice. There is no targeted identification of malnourished children, which is why affected children often only receive adequate treatment from health workers when there situation becomes critical.
Objective
The Tajik government successfully implements its national health strategy to improve the food situation and thus the health of women of reproductive age, infants and young children, in particular.
