Optimizing Child Health: Development and Validation of a Nutrition Status Improvement Module through Positive Deviance Practices

Childhood nutrition is a critical issue that need to be addressed and as it impacts overall health, especially in developing countries. Some areas have implemented positive deviance (PD) programs to identify positive behaviors and practices from low- income families that successfully maintain normal nutrition, despite conditions similar to those of other low-income families. The aim of this study was to develop and test the validity of a positive deviance-based nutritional status improvement module with the aim of achieving optimal child health. PD principles in the design of this module was to encourage community and family participation in understanding and practicing healthy nutrition behaviors. The research process consisted of several steps. The first steps involved nutritionist, public health expert, community nurse practitioner, pediatrician, and child psychologist collaborated to develop the module. Afterwards the module was tested for content and construct validity. The results of CVI and FVI showed that the module was valid and effective in improving family knowledge, skills, and healthy habits making it suitable to improve children's nutritional and health status in resource-limited and low-income families. Keywords: Positive deviance, module, optimal child