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Dietary outcomes of moderately wasted children treated in a food voucher program in Cameroon’s Far North: A three-month longitudinal study

Article scientifique 2022 Anglais

Résumé

Abstract Background Many interventions in Cameroon focus on addressing severe wasting rather than targeting moderate wasting, although the latter is more prevalent. The objective of the study was to evaluate a program designed to treat moderate wasting using a food voucher program (FVP) tested in the Far North, examining the factors associated with dietary outcomes. Methods A three-month longitudinal study was carried out to evaluate the impact of providing caregivers of children with moderate wasting (middle-upper arm circumference [MUAC] measures < 125 mm) a bi-weekly voucher to purchase a predefined package of foods together with essential hygiene and nutrition education on child minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and dietary diversity scores (DDS). Life table analysis was used to assess the cumulative probability of achieving the MDD among children aged 6–23 months, and multivariate regression was used to assess changes in DDS among children 24–59 months. Factors associated with dietary outcomes were identified using random and fixed effect (mixed) linear and logistic models. Results A total of 474 children were enrolled in the study. The FVP components increased the proportion of children achieving intended dietary outcomes. The cumulative probability of meeting the MDD by children 6–23 months of age increased from 19.9% at enrollment to 100% after 12 weeks. Average DDS scores increased from 3.2 at baseline to 5.1 (95% CI 4.6–5.7) across enrollment. Caregivers’ perception of the safety of food items redeemed was positively associated with MDD increase (adjusted RR = 0.50, p = 0.012). Family member consumption of the enriched porridge was more likely to decrease DDS among children aged 24–53 months (adjusted coef. = 0.33, p = 0.047). Conclusion The FVP was effective in improving dietary diversity of MAM children aged between 6–59 months in Cameroon’s Far North.

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Foudjo, B., Teta, I., Nielsen, J., Kang, Y., Nguefack‐Tsague, G., Nounkeu, C., Touré, D., Doledec, D., Oben, J. (2022). Dietary outcomes of moderately wasted children treated in a food voucher program in Cameroon’s Far North: A three-month longitudinal study. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1930822/v1

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Auteur(s)

Brice Ulrich Saha Foudjo Ismael Teta Jennifer Nielsen Yunhee Kang Georges Nguefack‐Tsague Carole Debora Nounkeu Djeinam Touré David Doledec Julius Enyong Oben

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