TY - GEN AU - Sangrano, Alne Shayne Y. AU - Cuyco, Ethel C. (Chairperson) AU - Tandinco, Filedito D. (Institutional Partner) AU - Valido, Ezra M. (Defense Panel Member) TI - Community health workers' approach and mothers' program for improved nutrition in Biri, Northern Samar KW - Malnutrition--Pervention and control KW - Child health--Samar, Philippines KW - Vitamin deficiency KW - Malnutrition--Treatment--Anti-helminthic drugs N1 - Graduate School of Public and Development Management N2 - Biri is a fifth class and a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged municipality ranking third among LGUs with highest prevalence of malnutrition among the under-five children in the Biri and adapting a specialized nutrition program among that addresses the disparity on the knowledge, attitude and practices of health volunteers ad caregivers. This is a qualitative study using review of health records, as well as interview, observation and survey of community volunteers and mother of malnourished children in Barangay San Pedro, Mc Arthur and Progress having the highest number of underweight in 2015. An observation checklist was used as a tool to assess the knowledge, caregiving and feeding practices of mothers during the 3 months intervention. Observation were accomplished by the Community Health Volunteers and other Barangay Nutrition Council membver for 4 trained which evaluated their level of competency in the implementation of Operation Timbang. Validation of assessment was made during focus group discussion. The said methods were used to determine the various factors contributing to undernutrition and gaps that need to be addressed in the locality. The result revealed a need for reorientation and conduct of a intensive capability building for the volunteers and RHU staff. The 33 malnourished children and their mothers were enrolled in the umbrella program of supervised home-based management where children were clinically assessed and given zine supplementation, ferrous sulphate, micro-nutrient powder and anti-helminthic drugs. Mothers, on the other hand, were given restructured health information basing from the results of the observation checklist and they were constantly monitored. Community health volunteers were oriented and coached on how to effectively conduct operation timbang. They will be subjected to an intense capability building in SAM management and Operation Timbang. The strategies addressing the identified knowledge deficit and practices through health education to mothers and caregivers, and regular home visit contributed to weight gain of 20 children enrolled in the study. The impact highly suggests that investigating and analyzing all contributing factors that leads to malnutrition, knowledge deficit and improper practices is a fundamental and should be an initial step before implementation nutrition program ER -