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Namukose S, Maina GW, Kiwanuka SN, Makumbi FE. Effect of nutrition assessment, counselling and support integration on mother-infant nutritional status, practices and health in Tororo and Butaleja districts, Uganda: A comparative non-equivalent quasi-experimental study. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2024; 43:84. [PMID: 38867332 PMCID: PMC11170817 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00559-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition remains a health challenge for women aged 15 to 49 years and their infants. While Nutrition Assessment Counselling and Support (NACS) is considered a promising strategy, evidence of its effectiveness remains scanty. This study assessed the effect of the comprehensive NACS package on the mother-infant practices, health and nutrition outcomes in two districts in Eastern Uganda. METHODS A comparative non-equivalent quasi-experimental design was employed with two groups; Comprehensive NACS (Tororo) and Routine NACS (Butaleja). Pregnant mothers were enrolled spanning various trimesters and followed through the antenatal periods and post-delivery to monitor their health and nutrition status. Infants were followed for feeding practices, health and nutritional status at birth and weeks 6, 10, 14 and at months 6, 9 and 12 post-delivery. Propensity score matching ensured study group comparability. The NACS effect was estimated by nearest neighbour matching and the logistic regression methods. Statistical analysis utilised STATA version 15 and R version 4.1.1. RESULTS A total of 666/784 (85%) with complete data were analysed (routine: 412, comprehensive: 254). Both groups were comparable by mothers' age, Mid Upper Arm Circumference, prior antenatal visits, meal frequency, micronutrient supplementation and instances of maternal headache, depression and diarrhoea. However, differences existed in gestation age, income, family size, education and other living conditions. Comprehensive NACS infants exhibited higher infant birth weights, weight-for-age z-scores at the 3rd -6th visits (p < 0.001), length-for-age z scores at the 4th -7th visits (p < 0.001) and weight-for-length z-scores at the 3rd - 5th (p < = 0.001) visits. Despite fewer episodes of diarrhoea and fever, upper respiration infections were higher. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive NACS demonstrated improved mother-infant nutritional and other health outcomes suggesting the need for integrated and holistic care for better maternal, infant and child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samalie Namukose
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Gakenia Wamuyu Maina
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Suzanne N Kiwanuka
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fredrick Edward Makumbi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Choo EM, Kemp CG, Sagun KC, Paudel U, Wun J, Cunningham K, Acharya P, Rana PP, Levin C. The costs of Suaahara II, a complex scaled-up multisectoral nutrition programme in Nepal. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13658. [PMID: 38704754 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Limited evidence exists on the costs of scaled-up multisectoral nutrition programmes. Such evidence is crucial to assess intervention value and affordability. Evidence is also lacking on the opportunity costs of implementers and participants engaging in community-level interventions. We help to fill this gap by estimating the full financial and economic costs of the United States Agency for International Development-funded Suaahara II (SII) programme, a scaled-up multisectoral nutrition programme in Nepal (2016-2023). We applied a standardized mixed methods costing approach to estimate total and unit costs over a 3.7-year implementation period. Financial expenditure data from national and subnational levels were combined with economic cost estimates assessed using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with staff, volunteers, community members, and government partners in four representative districts. The average annual total cost was US$908,948 per district, with economic costs accounting for 47% of the costs. The annual unit cost was US$132 per programme participant (mother in the 1000-day period between conception and a child's second birthday) reached. Annual costs ranged from US$152 (mountains) to US$118 (plains) per programme participant. Personnel (63%) were the largest input cost driver, followed by supplies (11%). Community events (29%) and household counselling visits (17%) were the largest activity cost drivers. Volunteer cadres contributed significant time to the programme, with female community health volunteers spending a substantial amount of time (27 h per month) on SII activities. Multisectoral nutrition programmes can be costly, especially when taking into consideration volunteer and participant opportunity costs. This study provides much-needed evidence of the costs of scaled-up multisectoral nutrition programmes for future comparison against benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther M Choo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher G Kemp
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - K C Sagun
- Helen Keller International, Patan, Nepal
| | | | - Jolene Wun
- Independent Consultant, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Codjia P, Kutondo E, Kamudoni P, Munga J, Ahluwalia A, Sharma I, de Jong Y, Amolo T, Maina-Gathigi L, Mwenda V, Chaudhry H, Bukania Z. Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2191. [PMID: 36443721 PMCID: PMC9702643 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14627-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kenya is faced with a triple burden of malnutrition which is multi-faceted with health and socio-economic implications. Huge geographical disparities exist, especially, in the arid and semi-arid lands exacerbated by inadequate resource allocation to the nutrition sector and challenges in multi-sectoral coordination and nutrition governance. UNICEF’s Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme is a four-year (2018–2022) resilience-building, multi-sectoral program focused on pregnant and lactating women, mothers of children under five years and children under five years. The objective of the mid-term evaluation was to establish the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme. Methods The field evaluation conducted between June and July 2021, adopted a concurrent mixed-methods approach, where qualitative information was gathered through 29 key informant interviews and 18 focus group discussions (6 FGDs per population group; women of reproductive age, adolescent girls and men). Quantitatively, data were obtained through desk review of secondary data from programme reports, budgets, and project outputs where descriptive analysis was undertaken using Excel software. Qualitative information was organized using Nvivo software and analyzed thematically. Results The findings provide evidence of the relevance of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme II to the nutrition situation in Kenya and its alignment with the Government of Kenya and donor priorities. Most planned programme targets were achieved despite operating in a COVID-19 pandemic environment. The use of innovative approaches such as family mid-upper arm circumference, integrated management of acute malnutrition surge model, Malezi bora and Logistic Management Information Management System contributed to the realization of effective outputs and outcomes. Stringent financial management strategies contributed toward programme efficiencies; however, optimal utilization of the resources needs further strengthening. The programme adopted strategies for strengthening local capacity and promoting ownership and long-term sustainability. Conclusion The programme is on track across the four evaluation criteria. However, a few suggestions are recommended to improve relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. A formal transition strategy needs to be developed in consultation with multi-stakeholder groups and implemented in phases. UNICEF Nutrition section should explore a more integrated programming mode of delivery through joint initiatives with other agencies under the Delivery as One UN agenda, along the more gender transformative approaches with more systematic involvement of males and females in gender-based discussions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14627-2.
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Menezes R, Lelijveld N, Wrottesley SV, Brennan E, Mates E, James PT. Integrating Women and Girls' Nutrition Services into Health Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:4488. [PMID: 36364750 PMCID: PMC9657561 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Women's nutrition has been highlighted as a global priority to ensure the health and well-being of both them and future generations. This systematic review summarises the available literature on the integration of nutrition services for girls and women of reproductive age (GWRA) into existing public health systems across low- and middle-income countries, as well as any barriers to integration. We searched PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published since 2011 according to eligibility criteria. A total of 69 articles were included. Evidence suggested that several services for GWRA are well integrated into public health systems, including antenatal care services, nutrition education and counselling, and micronutrient supplementation programmes. However, there was limited evidence on the integration of family planning, adolescent health, and reproductive health services. Barriers to integration fell into five main themes: lack of training and capacity building, poor multisectoral linkages and coordination, weak advocacy, lack of M&E systems, and inequity. We identified a lack of evidence and services for non-pregnant GWRA and for women postpartum. Addressing barriers to integration and gaps in nutrition services for GWRA would increase service coverage and contribute to improving health outcomes for GWRA and future generations.
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Thai G, Margolies A, Gelli A, Sultana N, Choo E, Kumar N, Levin C. The economic costs of a multisectoral nutrition programme implemented through a credit platform in Bangladesh. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 19:e13441. [PMID: 36254494 PMCID: PMC9749601 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bangladesh struggles with undernutrition in women and young children. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes can help address rural undernutrition. However, questions remain on the costs of multisectoral programmes. This study estimates the economic costs of the Targeting and Re-aligning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition (TRAIN) programme, which integrated nutrition behaviour change and agricultural extension with a credit platform to support women's income generation. We used the Strengthening Economic Evaluation for Multisectoral Strategies for Nutrition (SEEMS-Nutrition) approach. The approach aligns costs with a multisectoral nutrition typology, identifying inputs and costs along programme impact pathways. We measure and allocate costs for activities and inputs, combining expenditures and micro-costing. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected retrospectively from implementers and beneficiaries. Expenditure data and economic costs were combined to calculate incremental economic costs. The intervention was designed around a randomised control trial. Incremental costs are presented by treatment arm. The total incremental cost was $795,040.34 for a 3.5-year period. The annual incremental costs per household were US$65.37 (Arm 2), USD$114.15 (Arm 3) and $157.11 (Arm 4). Total costs were led by nutrition counselling (37%), agriculture extension (12%), supervision (12%), training (12%), monitoring and evaluation (9%) and community events (5%). Total input costs were led by personnel (68%), travel (12%) and supplies (7%). This study presents the total incremental costs of an agriculture-nutrition intervention implemented through a microcredit platform. Costs per household compare favourably with similar interventions. Our results illustrate the value of a standardised costing approach for comparison with other multisectoral nutrition interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang Thai
- International Food Policy Research InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Amy Margolies
- USAInternational Food Policy Research InstituteWashingtonDistrict of Columbia
| | - Aulo Gelli
- International Food Policy Research InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | | | - Esther Choo
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Neha Kumar
- International Food Policy Research InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Harris-Fry H, Kumar A, Pradhan R, Mishra NK, Padhan S, Ojha AK, Mishra SN, Fivian E, James P, Ferguson S, Krishnan S, O'Hearn M, Palmer T, Koniz-Booher P, Danton H, Minovi S, Mohanty S, Rath S, Rath S, Nair N, Tripathy P, Prost A, Allen E, Skordis J, Kadiyala S. Economic Evaluation of Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Interventions to Increase Maternal and Child Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status in Rural Odisha, India. J Nutr 2022; 152:2255-2268. [PMID: 35687367 PMCID: PMC9535442 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Economic evaluations of nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions are scarce, limiting assessment of their potential affordability and scalability. OBJECTIVES We conducted cost-consequence analyses of 3 participatory video-based interventions of fortnightly women's group meetings using the following platforms: 1) NSA videos; 2) NSA and nutrition-specific videos; or 3) NSA videos with a nutrition-specific participatory learning and action (PLA) cycle. METHODS Interventions were tested in a 32-mo, 4-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial, Upscaling Participatory Action and Videos for Agriculture and Nutrition (UPAVAN) in the Keonjhar district, Odisha, India. Impacts were evaluated in children aged 0-23 mo and their mothers. We estimated program costs using data collected prospectively from expenditure records of implementing and technical partners and societal costs using expenditure assessment data collected from households with a child aged 0-23 mo and key informant interviews. Costs were adjusted for inflation, discounted, and converted to 2019 US$. RESULTS Total program costs of each intervention ranged from US$272,121 to US$386,907. Program costs per pregnant woman or mother of a child aged 0-23 mo were US$62 for NSA videos, US$84 for NSA and nutrition-specific videos, and US$78 for NSA videos with PLA (societal costs: US$125, US$143, and US$122, respectively). Substantial shares of total costs were attributable to development and delivery of the videos and PLA (52-69%) and quality assurance (25-41%). Relative to control, minimum dietary diversity was higher in the children who underwent the interventions incorporating nutrition-specific videos and PLA (adjusted RRs: 1.19 and 1.27; 95% CIs: 1.03-1.37 and 1.11, 1.46, respectively). Relative to control, minimum dietary diversity in mothers was higher in those who underwent NSA video (1.21 [1.01, 1.45]) and NSA with PLA (1.30 [1.10, 1.53]) interventions. CONCLUSION NSA videos with PLA can increase both maternal and child dietary diversity and have the lowest cost per unit increase in diet diversity. Building on investments made in developing UPAVAN, cost-efficiency at scale could be increased with less intensive monitoring, reduced startup costs, and integration within existing government programs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ISRCTN65922679.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Harris-Fry
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Naba Kishore Mishra
- Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology (VARRAT), Kendrapada, Odisha, India
| | - Shibananth Padhan
- Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology (VARRAT), Kendrapada, Odisha, India
| | | | - Sailendra Narayan Mishra
- Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology (VARRAT), Kendrapada, Odisha, India
| | - Emily Fivian
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip James
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sneha Krishnan
- Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability, OP Jindal Global University and ETCH Consultancy Services, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Meghan O'Hearn
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tom Palmer
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Heather Danton
- SI Research & Training Institute, Inc. Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Sandee Minovi
- SI Research & Training Institute, Inc. Arlington, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Audrey Prost
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jolene Skordis
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suneetha Kadiyala
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Margolies A, Gelli A, Daryanani R, Twalibu A, Levin C. When Communities Pull Their Weight: The Economic Costs of an Integrated Agriculture and Nutrition Home-Grown Preschool Meal Intervention in Malawi. Food Nutr Bull 2021; 42:3-22. [PMID: 33878905 PMCID: PMC8129463 DOI: 10.1177/0379572120986693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Community-based preschool meals can provide an effective platform for implementing integrated agriculture and nutrition programs. However, there is little evidence on the costs and cost-efficiency of implementing these types of multisectoral interventions. Objectives: Assess the economic costs and cost-efficiency of implementing an effective integrated nutrition-sensitive intervention through a preschool platform in Malawi, including community-level contributions. Methods: The Strengthening Economic Evaluation for Multisectoral Strategies for Nutrition (SEEMS-Nutrition) framework and methods were applied to assess financial and economic costs of the intervention. A mixed-methods approach was used to measure and allocate costs for program activities and inputs using financial expenditure data combined with micro-costing. All costs were allocated to input and expenditure categories using the SEEMS-Nutrition framework. To facilitate comparisons with existing school meals programs, activities were also mapped against a standardized school feeding supply chain framework. Results: The total annualized cost of the program was US$197 377, inclusive of both financial and economic costs. The annual economic cost of the program ranged from US$160 per preschool child to US$41 per beneficiary. The principal drivers of cost by program activity were training (46%), school meals provision (19%), monitoring and evaluation (12%), and establishing and running community groups (6.5%). Notably, community contributions accounted for 25% and were driven by food donations and volunteer labor. Conclusions: Cost per beneficiary estimates of implementing an integrated agriculture–nutrition intervention through an early childhood development platform compare favorably with similar interventions. Further research is needed that applies a standardized economic evaluation framework to such multisectoral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Margolies
- 8357International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aulo Gelli
- 8357International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roshan Daryanani
- 8357International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aisha Twalibu
- 8357International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global Health, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kozicka M, Elsey J, Ekesa B, Ajambo S, Kikulwe E, Gotor E. Reassessing the Cost-Effectiveness of High-Provitamin A Bananas to Reduce Vitamin A Deficiency in Uganda. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.649424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There are two high-provitamin A (pVA) banana-based interventions potentially available in Uganda—biofortified genetically modified (GM) banana and fast-tracked banana landraces from outside Uganda that are naturally high in provitamin A (nHpVA). Based on the newest country statistics and using adoption scenarios obtained through focus group discussions and expert interviews, we assess obstacles and opportunities for adoption as well as cost-effectiveness of these interventions. In two alternative scenarios for the GM banana (M9 matooke), we assume 40% and 64% adoption rates, which would result in US$29,374,151 and US$63,259,415 in income saved, respectively. As an alternative, for the symmetrical scenarios, we calculate that if the nHpVA banana (Apantu plantain, native of Ghana) were to be adopted, US$46,100,148 and US$76,364,988 in income would be saved. Taking into account the full cost of R&D, we estimate that the M9 matooke could save one disability-adjusted life year (DALY) at a cost of US$67.37 at best and US$145.09 at worst. We estimate that the Apantu plantain could save one DALY at a cost of US$50.54 at best and US$83.72 at worst. Our DALY analysis estimates that all assessed HpVA banana interventions are extremely cost-effective in all scenarios, following both the World Bank's and the WHO criteria. Nevertheless, successful interventions would require extensive promotion campaigns and shifts in agricultural value chains.
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