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Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review

Author

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  • Constance Shumba

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya
    Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Rose Maina

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya)

  • Gladys Mbuthia

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya)

  • Rachel Kimani

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya)

  • Stella Mbugua

    (Africa Early Childhood Network, Nairobi 00502, Kenya)

  • Sweta Shah

    (Global Programs Team, Aga Khan Foundation, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Amina Abubakar

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Stanley Luchters

    (Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
    Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
    Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Sheila Shaibu

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya)

  • Eunice Ndirangu

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi 00623, Kenya)

Abstract

In Kenya, millions of children have limited access to nurturing care. With the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is anticipated that vulnerable children will bear the biggest brunt of the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic. This review aimed to deepen understanding of the effects of COVID-19 on nurturing care from conception to four years of age, a period where the care of children is often delivered through caregivers or other informal platforms. The review has drawn upon the empirical evidence from previous pandemics and epidemics, and anecdotal and emerging evidence from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Multifactorial impacts fall into five key domains: direct health; health and nutrition systems; economic protection; social and child protection; and child development and early learning. The review proposes program and policy strategies to guide the reorientation of nurturing care, prevent the detrimental effects associated with deteriorating nurturing care environments, and support the optimal development of the youngest and most vulnerable children. These include the provision of cash transfers and essential supplies for vulnerable households and strengthening of community-based platforms for nurturing care. Further research on COVID-19 and the ability of children’s ecology to provide nurturing care is needed, as is further testing of new ideas.

Suggested Citation

  • Constance Shumba & Rose Maina & Gladys Mbuthia & Rachel Kimani & Stella Mbugua & Sweta Shah & Amina Abubakar & Stanley Luchters & Sheila Shaibu & Eunice Ndirangu, 2020. "Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7028-:d:419833
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mustafa Uğraş & Erdal Zengin & Stamatis Papadakis & Michail Kalogiannakis, 2023. "Early Childhood Learning Losses during COVID-19: Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-29, April.
    2. Vibian Angwenyi & Margaret Kabue & Esther Chongwo & Adam Mabrouk & Ezra Kipngetich Too & Rachel Odhiambo & Carophine Nasambu & Joyce Marangu & Derrick Ssewanyana & Eunice Njoroge & Eunice Ombech & Mer, 2021. "Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic among Caregivers of Young Children in Kenya’s Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.

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