An Integrated Micronutrient Powder Intervention Improved IYCF Practices Among Caregivers of Children 6–23 Months in Eastern Uganda (P10-131-19). (13th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ford, Nicole; Ruth, Laird; Ngalombi, Sarah; Lubowa, Abdelrahman; Halati, SIti; Ahimbisibwe, Martin; Baingana, Rhona; Whitehead, Ralph; Mapango, Carine; Jefferds, Maria Elena
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 3(2019)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2019-06-13
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzz034.P10-131-19
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We evaluated the impact of an integrated infant and young child feeding (IYCF) – micronutrient powder intervention on IYCF practices among caregivers of children 12–23 mo in Eastern Uganda. Methods: We used pre-/post- data from two population-based, cross-sectional surveys representative of children aged 12–23 mo in Amuria (intervention) and Soroti (non-intervention) districts. Caregivers were interviewed in June/July at baseline 2015 (N = 1260) and 12 mo after implementation in 2016 (N = 1490) about their IYCF practices the day preceding the survey. Logistic regression estimated the double-difference effect of the intervention on core World Health Organization (WHO) IYCF indicators: child ever breastfed, current breastfeeding, bottle feeding, complementary foods introduced at age 6 mo, consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits or vegetables, consumption of animal-flesh foods, minimum meal frequency (MMF) (received food ≥3 times for breastfed children and ≥4 times for non-breastfed children), minimum dietary diversity (MDD) (received foods from ≥4 of 7 WHO food groups), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) (MDD and MMF among breastfed children, and ≥2 milk feeds, MDD not including milk feeds, and MMF among non-breastfed children). Analyses were weighted and accounted for complex sampling design. Results: After controlling for child age and sex, household wealth, household food security, and caregiver education, the intervention was positively associated with MMF (Adjusted Prevalence Difference-in-Difference [APDiD] 18.6%; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 11.2, 26.0) and MAD (APDiD 5.6%; 95% CI 0.02, 11.2). The intervention was associated with 21.8% higher prevalence of timely introduction of complementary feeding (95% CI 13.4, 30.1) and with increased consumption of both vitamin A-rich fruits/vegetables (APDiD 23.5%; 95% CI 12.5, 34.5) and animal-flesh foods (APDiD 9.1%; 95% CI 1.5, 16.7). The intervention did not affect breastfeeding or bottle feeding practices. Despite program impact, prevalence of some IYCF practices were low in Amuria at endline including MAD (19%) and MMF (21%). Conclusions: The integrated IYCF intervention had a positive impact on many core WHO IYCF practices; however, low endline prevalence of some indicators suggests a continued need to improve complementary feeding practices in Eastern Uganda. Funding Sources: Funding or in kind technical support provided by the Ministry of Health Uganda, World Food Programme, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).