This repeated measures, cluster randomized, cohort trial design was carried out in three provinces in the northern mountainous area of Vietnam. Communes here were randomly selected for community based interventions with local production complimentary foods and marketing and distribution of fortified complimentary foods.
In rural northern Vietnam, childhood stunting rates are high. In Lào Cai province, female subsistence farmers grow crops, but face barriers sending produce to markets. The present intervention purchases local crops from local women subsistence farmers which are processed in local small-scale food processing facilities to produce instant fortified complementary foods for weaning. Methods: A repeated measures survey was conducted from October to November 2016, with Caregiver-Child(\<2y) pairs (n=800) in the provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Ha Giang. Anthropometric data of mother/child dyads was assessed and logistic regression analysis of stunted and underweight children explored associated factors. These included: core infant and young child feeding practices indicators, food insecurity, antenatal care check-ups, core water/sanitation, anemia and hygiene indicators. This project leveraged the experience of the National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam to ensure HACCP standards during manufacture. Locally grown rice was combined with a Zn/Fe premix before extrusion and hammer-milling. Local vegetables such as: "Sweet leaf" (Sauropus androgynous), pumpkin, Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) and carrots were made into complimentary foods and sold locally.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
799
Household Food Insecurity Access Scale
Score from 1-27 indicating household food Insecurity. Where higher scores indicate greater food insecurity. This was taken at the beginning of intervention in Nov 2016 till completion in June 2018.
Time frame: Nov 2016-June 2018
Weight in kilograms
Stunting (Height-for-age Z score \<-2SD), Underweight (Weight-for-age Z score\<-2SD), Wasting (Weight-for-height Z score\<-2SD) compared with World Health Organization's growth charts.
Time frame: Nov 2016-June 2018
Height in Meters
Stunting (Height-for-age Z score \<-2SD), Underweight (Weight-for-age Z score\<-2SD), Wasting (Weight-for-height Z score\<-2SD) compared with World Health Organization's growth charts.
Time frame: Nov 2016-June 2018
Age in Months
Stunting (Height-for-age Z score \<-2SD), Underweight (Weight-for-age Z score\<-2SD), Wasting (Weight-for-height Z score\<-2SD) compared with World Health Organization's growth charts.
Time frame: Nov 2016-June 2018
Hemoglobin Levels of Children (<2y)
Hemoglobin levels among Children participants assessed by finger prick blood sampling.
Time frame: Nov 2016-June 2018
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