Options for large-scale preventive distributions include fortified blended flours, ready-to-use foods and direct cash transfer either alone or in combination with family protective rations. Finding the most appropriate strategy is essential to prevent child malnutrition in countries like Niger with annual hunger gaps. Here, the investigators compare different preventive strategies on the incidence of acute malnutrition among children 6 to 23 months.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
7,836
Villages
Madarounfa, Maradi Region, Niger
Incidence of severe acute malnutrition
Severe acute malnutrition was defined as : Weight for Height Z-score (WHO Standards 2006)\< -3 and/or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) \< 115mm and/or bipedal oedema. MUAC was measured at the midpoint of a child's left arm with a plastic measuring tape with a precision of 1 mm. These indicators were evaluated monthly during the entire follow-up (15 months).
Time frame: 15 months
Mortality
Mortality events include all reports for which the cause for absence from surveillance visits was reported to be death by a family member.
Time frame: duration of follow-up (15 months)
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