Informing National Scale-up of Micronutrient Powders: Evidence from a 12-month Effectiveness Study in Rural Rwanda.
Artigo
em Inglês
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-165081
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
While the efficacy of Micronutrient Powders (MNP) at reducing anaemia is known, effectiveness within a Community-Based Nutrition Programme (CBNP) in Rwanda is needed to inform scale-up and policy. 1. Determine the acceptability and effectiveness of MNP on the reduction of anaemia in children aged 6-23 months in Nyaruguru and Musanze districts. 2. Investigate the feasibility of national scale-up of MNP within a CBNP.Methods:
A 12-month quasi-experimental control trial was conducted with 1049 mother/child pairs (intervention n=569; control n=480). Information on household demographics, IYCF knowledge, attitudes and practices, and morbidity, as well as children’s anthropometry and hemoglobin (Hb) were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Caregivers were interviewed on the acceptability and perceived benefits of MNP at midline and endline.Results:
At endline, 98% of caregivers were willing to continue using MNP. A high percentage of mothers perceived benefits of MNP, including improved appetite (84%), increased activity levels (87%), and improved health (88%) of their child. Hb levels of children with moderate to severe anemia significantly improved in the intervention group compared to children in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusions:
Our results illustrate nearly universal acceptance of MNP among mothers. Together with the reduction in anemia, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing national scale-up of MNP within Rwanda’s CBNP and will help achieve sustainable improvements in infant and young children’s health.
Texto completo:
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Índice:
IMSEAR (Sudeste Asiático)
Idioma:
Inglês
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
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