This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of supplementing the diets of infants aged 6-7 months with small fish powder on growth outcomes in the Garoua 1st Health District, Northern Cameroon. A total of 240 infants were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either small fish powder or a millet flour control for six months. The primary endpoint was growth effectiveness, defined as achieving a height-for-age Z-score ≥ -1.5 after six months. Secondary outcomes included prevention of acute malnutrition, weight gain, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) gain, morbidity frequency, and intervention failure rate. Study procedures comprised weekly ration distribution, anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin and malaria testing, and parental nutritional education. Data were analyzed using SPSS and XLSTAT, with statistical significance set at p \< 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
240
Infants aged 6-7 months will receive a daily ration of small fish powder equivalent to \~25 kcal/day, providing approximately 65% of the recommended daily protein intake for children aged 6-24 months. Parents will be instructed on how to incorporate the powder into the child's usual diet. Weekly distribution will occur at the health center, accompanied by monthly nutrition education and biweekly clinical monitoring.
Infants aged 6-7 months will receive a daily ration of millet flour equivalent to \~25 kcal/day, providing approximately 10% of the recommended daily protein intake for children aged 6-24 months. To standardize taste, 3% fish powder will be added. Parents will be instructed on how to incorporate the flour into the child's usual diet. Weekly distribution will occur at the health center, accompanied by monthly nutrition education and biweekly clinical monitoring.
Garoua 1 Health District
Garoua, Cameroon
Height-for-Age Z-score
Growth effectiveness, defined as the proportion of children achieving a height-for-age Z-score ≥ -1.5 SD after six months of supplementation.
Time frame: 6 months
Weight-for-Height Z-score
Prevention of acute malnutrition, defined as weight-for-height Z-score ≥ -1.5 SD.
Time frame: 6 months
Weight Gain
Mean change in body weight (kg) from baseline to six months.
Time frame: 6 months
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Gain
Mean change in MUAC (cm) from baseline to six months.
Time frame: 6 months
Morbidity Frequency
Number of morbidity episodes (e.g., diarrhea, respiratory infections, malaria) recorded per child during the six-month intervention period.
Time frame: 6 months
Intervention Failure Rate
Proportion of children failing to achieve growth effectiveness (height-for-age Z-score \< -1.5 SD) after six months.
Time frame: 6 months
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