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Makori N, Masanja H, Masumo R, Rashid S, Jumbe T, Tegeye M, Esau D, Muiruri J, Mchau G, Mafung'a SH, Moshi C, Shosho N, Kwara V, Mshida H, Leyna G. Efficacy of ready-to-use food supplement for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months. Matern Child Nutr 2024; 20:e13602. [PMID: 38192064 PMCID: PMC10981477 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is a persistent public health problem in Tanzania. The current approach for its management is nutrition counselling. However, there has been no commercial production of ready-to-use supplementary foods for the management of MAM in the country but rather imported from companies outside the country. The objective of the study was to determine the ability of a ready-to-use food supplementation versus corn soya blend (CSB+) to manage MAM. The randomised controlled trial employed three parallel arm approach. The first arm received CSB+ and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling, the second arm received ready-to-use food (RUF) and IYCF counselling and the third arm, a control group, received IYCF as standard care for three consecutive months. Results indicated that the overall proportion of children who recovered from MAM was 65.6%. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the proportion of children who recovered from MAM between the three arms (CSB+, RUF and standard care). Results revealed further a high recovery rate of 83.7% in the RUF arm, followed by 71.9% in the CSB+ arm and 41% in the standard care arm. The risk differences for RUF compared with CSB+ and standard care were 11.8% and 42.7%, respectively. RUFs can be used as an alternative supplement to conventional CSB+ for the management of MAM in children and, thus, has the potential to scale up its use to address the problem of MAM among 6 to 59 months' children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyabasi Makori
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Hope Masanja
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Ray Masumo
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Suleman Rashid
- Department of Food Science and AgroprocessingSokoine University of AgricultureMorogoroTanzania
| | - Theresia Jumbe
- Department of Food Science and AgroprocessingSokoine University of AgricultureMorogoroTanzania
| | | | | | | | - Geofrey Mchau
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Stanslaus H. Mafung'a
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Cypriana Moshi
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | | | - Vera Kwara
- World Food ProgrammeDar Es SalaamTanzania
| | - Hoyce Mshida
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
| | - Germana Leyna
- Department of Nutrition Education and Training (NET)Tanzania Food and Nutrition CentreDar es salaamTanzania
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesDar es SalaamTanzania
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Bridge R, Lin TK. Evidence on the impact of community health workers in the prevention, identification, and management of undernutrition amongst children under the age of five in conflict-affected or fragile settings: a systematic literature review. Confl Health 2024; 18:16. [PMID: 38413996 PMCID: PMC10900658 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-024-00575-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition, specifically undernutrition, is a significant global challenge that contributes to nearly half of deaths in children under the age of five. The burden of undernutrition is disproportionately borne by conflict-affected, fragile settings (CAFS); children living in a conflict zone being more than twice as likely to suffer from malnourishment. Community health worker (CHW) models have been employed in CAFS to improve healthcare coverage and identify and treat illnesses. However, there lacks systematic evidence on the impact of CHW models in preventing, identifying, and managing child undernutrition in CAFS. We conducted this review to systematically evaluate evidence of CHW models in preventing, identifying, and managing undernutrition in children under the age of five in CAFS. METHODOLOGY This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting standards. The search strategy was developed using the Population-Intervention-Comparisons-Outcomes-Setting framework as a guide. Searches were performed using Ovid online database search platform, searching the databases of Ovid MEDLINE(R), COCHRANE, Embase Classic, Embase, Econlit, Global Health, SCOPUS, and Social Policy and Practice. Peer-reviewed publications were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated an intervention using a CHW model that aims to prevent, identify, or manage some form of undernutrition in children under five in a CAFS. RESULTS We identified 25 studies-spanning 10 countries-that were included in the systematic review. CHW models were implemented alongside a variety of interventions, including behaviour change communication, supplementary foods, nutrition counselling, and integrated community health programmes. Key barriers in implementing successful CHW models include disruption of programmes due to active conflict, states of emergency, militancy, or political unrest; weak links between the community-based interventions and public health system; weak health system capacity that impeded referral and follow-ups; and cost of care and care-seeking. Key facilitators include CHWs' connection to the community, close proximity of programmes to the community, supervision, and investment in high quality training and tools. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that CHW models may be effective, cost-effective, acceptable, feasible, and scalable in the prevention, identification, and management child undernutrition in CAFS. The study findings also confirmed a need for greater evidence in the field. These findings may inform policymaking, programme implementation, and design to strengthen best practices for CHW models addressing child undernutrition in CAFS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tracy Kuo Lin
- Institute for Health and Aging, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois St, 123K, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
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López-Ejeda N, Charle-Cuéllar P, Samake S, Dougnon AO, Sánchez-Martínez LJ, Samake MN, Bagayoko A, Bunkembo M, Touré F, Vargas A, Guerrero S. Effectiveness of decentralizing outpatient acute malnutrition treatment with community health workers and a simplified combined protocol: a cluster randomized controlled trial in emergency settings of Mali. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1283148. [PMID: 38450139 PMCID: PMC10915236 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1283148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Outpatient treatment of acute malnutrition is usually centralized in health centers and separated into different programs according to case severity. This complicates case detection, care delivery, and supply chain management, making it difficult for families to access treatment. This study assessed the impact of treating severe and moderate cases in the same program using a simplified protocol and decentralizing treatment outside health centers through community health workers (CHWs). Methods A three-armed cluster randomized controlled trial under a non-inferiority hypothesis was conducted in the Gao region of Mali involving 2,038 children between 6 and 59 months of age with non-complicated acute malnutrition. The control arm consisted of 549 children receiving standard treatment in health centers from nursing staff. The first intervention arm consisted of 800 children treated using the standard protocol with CHWs added as treatment providers. The second intervention arm consisted of 689 children treated by nurses and CHWs under the ComPAS simplified protocol, considering mid-upper arm circumference as the sole anthropometric criterion for admission and discharge and providing a fixed dose of therapeutic food for severe and moderate cases. Coverage was assessed through cross-sectional surveys using the sampling evaluation of access and coverage (SLEAC) methodology for a wide area involving several service delivery units. Results The recovery rates were 76.3% in the control group, 81.8% in the group that included CHWs with the standard protocol, and 92.9% in the group that applied the simplified protocol, confirming non-inferiority and revealing a significant risk difference among the groups. No significant differences were found in the time to recovery (6 weeks) or in anthropometric gain, whereas the therapeutic food expenditure was significantly lower with the simplified combined program in severe cases (43 sachets fewer than the control). In moderate cases, an average of 35 sachets of therapeutic food were used. With the simplified protocol, the CHWs had 6% discharge errors compared with 19% with the standard protocol. The treatment coverage increased significantly with the simplified combined program (SAM +42.5%, MAM +13.8%). Implications Implementing a simplified combined treatment program and adding CHWs as treatment providers can improve coverage while maintaining non-inferior effectiveness, reducing the expenditure on nutritional intrants, and ensuring the continuum of care for the most vulnerable children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí López-Ejeda
- EPINUT Research Group (ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Salimata Samake
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Luis Javier Sánchez-Martínez
- EPINUT Research Group (ref. 920325), Unit of Physical Anthropology, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mahamadou N’tji Samake
- Nutrition Directorate of the General Directorate of Health and Public Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Bamako, Mali
| | - Aliou Bagayoko
- Nutrition Directorate of the General Directorate of Health and Public Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Bamako, Mali
| | - Magloire Bunkembo
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Bamako, Mali
| | - Fanta Touré
- West and Central Africa Regional Office, Action Against Hunger, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Madrid, Spain
| | - Saul Guerrero
- Child Nutrition and Development Office, UNICEF, New York, NY, United States
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Alier KK, Tappis H, Ismail S, Doocy S. Impact of COVID-19 program adaptations on costs and cost-effectiveness of community management of acute malnutrition program in South Sudan. Public Health Nutr 2023; 27:e15. [PMID: 38095095 PMCID: PMC10830371 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the protocol adaptations on cost and cost-effectiveness of community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) program in South Sudan. DESIGN Retrospective program expenditure-based analysis of non-governmental organisation (NGO) CMAM programs for COVID-19 period (April 2020-December 2021) in respect to pre-COVID period (January 2019-March 2020). SETTING Study was conducted as part of a bigger evaluation study in South Sudan. PARTICIPANTS International and national NGOs operating CMAM programs under the nutrition cluster participated in the study. RESULTS The average cost per child recovered from the programme declined by 20 % during COVID from $133 (range: $34-1174) pre-COVID to $107 (range: $20-333) during COVID. The cost per child recovered was negatively correlated with programme size (pre-COVID r-squared = 0·58; during COIVD r-squared = 0·50). Programmes with higher enrollment were cheaper compared with those with low enrolment. Salaries, ready to use food and community activities accounted for over two-thirds of the cost per recovery during both pre-COVID (69 %) and COVID (79 %) periods. While cost per child recovered decreased during COVID period, it did not negatively impact on the programme outcome. Enrolment increased by an average of 19·8 % and recovery rate by 4·6 % during COVID period. CONCLUSIONS Costs reduced with no apparent negative implication on recovery rates after implementing the COVID CMAM protocol adaptations with a strong negative correlation between cost and programme size. This suggests that investing in capacity, screening and referral at existing CMAM sites to enable expansion of caseload maybe a preferable strategy to increasing the number of CMAM sites in South Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemish Kenneth Alier
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205, USA
| | - Hannah Tappis
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205, USA
| | - Sule Ismail
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Juba, South Sudan
- Integral Global Consulting, Atlanta, GA
| | - Shannon Doocy
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205, USA
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Akinmoladun OF, Bamidele OP, Jideani VA, Nesamvuni CN. Severe Acute Malnutrition: The Potential of Non-Peanut, Non-Milk Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods. Curr Nutr Rep 2023; 12:603-616. [PMID: 37897619 PMCID: PMC10766793 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-023-00505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides information on the prospect and effectiveness of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) produced locally without the addition of milk and peanut. RECENT FINDINGS The foods used in fighting malnutrition in the past decades contributed little to the success of the alleviation program due to their non-effectiveness. Hence, RUTFs are introduced to fight malnutrition. The peanut allergies, the high cost of milk, and the high production cost of peanut RUTF have made its distribution, treatment spread, and accessibility very slow, especially in areas where it is highly needed. There is a need, therefore, for a low-cost RUTF that is acceptable and effective in treating severe acute malnutrition among under-5 children. This review shows both the success and failure of reported studies on the use of non-peanut and non-milk RUTF, including their cost of production as compared to the standard milk and peanut-based RUTF. It was hypothesised that replacing the milk ingredient component with legumes like soybeans can reduce the cost of production of RUTFs while also delivering an effective product in managing and treating severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Consumers generally accept them better because of their familiarity with the raw materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun F Akinmoladun
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Agriculture, Food Science and Technology, Wesley University, PMB 507 Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
- Department of Health Science, University of the People, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.
| | - Oluwaseun P Bamidele
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 09590, South Africa
| | - Victoria A Jideani
- Department of Food Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Cebisa N Nesamvuni
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
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Mdege ND, Masuku SD, Musakwa N, Chisala M, Tingum EN, Boachie MK, Shokraneh F. Costs and cost-effectiveness of treatment setting for children with wasting, oedema and growth failure/faltering: A systematic review. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002551. [PMID: 37939029 PMCID: PMC10631642 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review aimed to address the existing evidence gaps, and guide policy decisions on the settings within which to treat infants <12 months of age with growth faltering/failure, and infants and children aged <60 months with moderate wasting or severe wasting and/or bilateral pitting oedema. Twelve electronic databases were searched for studies published before 10 December 2021. The searches yielded 16,709 records from which 31 studies were eligible and included in the review. Three studies were judged as low quality, whilst 14 were moderate and the remaining 14 were high quality. We identified very few cost and cost-effectiveness analyses for most of the models of care with the certainty of evidence being judged at very low or low. However, there were 17 cost and 6 cost-effectiveness analyses for the initiation of treatment in outpatient settings for severe wasting and/or bilateral pitting oedema in infants and children <60 months of age. From this evidence, the costs appear lowest for initiating treatment in community settings, followed by initiating treatment in community and transferring to outpatient settings, initiating treatment in outpatients then transferring to community settings, initiating treatment in outpatient settings, and lastly initiating treatment in inpatient settings. In addition, the evidence suggested that initiation of treatment in outpatient settings is highly cost-effective when compared to doing nothing or no programme implementation scenarios, using country-specific WHO GDP per capita thresholds. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from $20 to $145 per DALY averted from a provider perspective, and $68 to $161 per DALY averted from a societal perspective. However, the certainty of the evidence was judged as moderate because of comparisons to do nothing/ no programme scenarios which potentially limits the applicability of the evidence in real-world settings. There is therefore a need for evidence that compare the different available alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Dadirai Mdege
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Centre for Research in Health and Development, York, United Kingdom
| | - Sithabiso D. Masuku
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nozipho Musakwa
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mphatso Chisala
- Department of Population, Policy and Practice, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Micheal Kofi Boachie
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Farhad Shokraneh
- Department of Evidence Synthesis, Systematic Review Consultants LTD, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Padhani ZA, Cichon B, Das JK, Salam RA, Stobaugh HC, Mughal M, Rutishauser-Perera A, Black RE, Bhutta ZA. Systematic Review of Management of Moderate Wasting in Children over 6 Months of Age. Nutrients 2023; 15:3781. [PMID: 37686813 PMCID: PMC10490450 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The effective management of the 33 million children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is key to reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. In this review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of specially formulated foods (SFFs) compared to non-food-based approaches to manage MAM in children >6 months old. We conducted a search on ten databases until 23 August 2021 and included five studies, covering 3387 participants. Meta-analysis of four studies comparing SFFs to counselling or standard of care showed that SFFs likely increase recovery rate, reduce non-response, and may improve weight-for-height z-score, weight-for-age z-score and time to recovery, but have little or no effect on MUAC gain. One study on a multicomponent intervention (SFFs, antibiotics and counselling provided to high-risk MAM) compared to counselling only was reported narratively. The intervention may increase weight gain after 24 weeks but may have little or no effect on weight gain after 12 weeks and on non-response and mortality after 12 and 24 weeks of enrollment. The effect of this intervention on recovery was uncertain. In conclusion, SFFs may be beneficial for children with moderate wasting in humanitarian contexts. Programmatic recommendations should consider context and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra A. Padhani
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (J.K.D.); or (Z.A.B.)
| | | | - Jai K. Das
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (J.K.D.); or (Z.A.B.)
- Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Rehana A. Salam
- Centre of Research Excellence, Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Heather C. Stobaugh
- Action against Hunger USA, Technical Services and Innovation Department, Washington, DC 20463, USA;
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Muzna Mughal
- Action against Hunger UK, London SE10 0ER, UK; (M.M.); (A.R.-P.)
| | | | - Robert E. Black
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (J.K.D.); or (Z.A.B.)
- Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
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Singh SK, Chauhan A, Sharma SK, Puri P, Pedgaonkar S, Dwivedi LK, Taillie LS. Cultural and Contextual Drivers of Triple Burden of Malnutrition among Children in India. Nutrients 2023; 15:3478. [PMID: 37571415 PMCID: PMC10420920 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines malnutrition's triple burden, including anaemia, overweight, and stunting, among children aged 6-59 months. Using data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021), the study identifies risk factors and assesses their contribution at different levels to existing malnutrition burden. A random intercept multilevel logistic regression model and spatial analysis are employed to identify child, maternal, and household level risk factors for stunting, overweight, and anaemia. The study finds that 34% of children were stunted, 4% were overweight, and 66% were anaemic. Stunting and anaemia prevalence were higher in central and eastern regions, while overweight was more prevalent in the north-eastern and northern regions. At the macro-level, the coexistence of stunting, overweight, and anaemia circumstantiates the triple burden of childhood malnutrition with substantial spatial variation (Moran's I: stunting-0.53, overweight-0.41, and anaemia-0.53). Multilevel analysis reveals that child, maternal, and household variables play a substantial role in determining malnutrition burden in India. The nutritional health is significantly influenced by a wide range of determinants, necessitating multilevel treatments targeting households to address this diverse group of coexisting factors. Given the intra-country spatial heterogeneity, the treatment also needs to be tailor-made for various disaggregated levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shri Kant Singh
- International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India; (S.P.); (L.K.D.)
| | - Alka Chauhan
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Delhi 110012, India;
| | - Santosh Kumar Sharma
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi 110025, India; (S.K.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Parul Puri
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi 110025, India; (S.K.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Sarang Pedgaonkar
- International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India; (S.P.); (L.K.D.)
| | - Laxmi Kant Dwivedi
- International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India; (S.P.); (L.K.D.)
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Carolina Population Center, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
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Phelan K, Seri B, Daures M, Yao C, Alitanou R, Aly AAM, Maidadji O, Sanoussi A, Mahamadou A, Cazes C, Moh R, Becquet R, Shepherd S. Treatment outcomes and associated factors for hospitalization of children treated for acute malnutrition under the OptiMA simplified protocol: a prospective observational cohort in rural Niger. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1199036. [PMID: 37475774 PMCID: PMC10354363 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1199036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Globally, access to treatment for severe and moderate acute malnutrition is very low, in part because different protocols and products are used in separate programs. New approaches, defining acute malnutrition (AM) as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 125 mm or oedema, are being investigated to compare effectiveness to current programs. Optimizing Malnutrition treatment (OptiMA) is one such strategy that treats AM with one product - ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF - at reduced dosage as the child improves. Methods This study aimed to determine whether OptiMA achieved effectiveness benchmarks established in the Nigerien National Nutrition protocol. A prospective cohort study of children in the rural Mirriah district evaluated outcomes among children 6-59 months with uncomplicated AM treated under OptiMA. In a parallel, unconnected program in one of the two trial sites, all non-malnourished children 6-23 months of age were provided small quantity lipid-based nutritional supplements (SQ-LNS). A multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with hospitalization. Results From July-December 2019, 1,105 children were included for analysis. Prior to treatment, 39.3% of children received SQ-LNS. Recovery, non-response, and mortality rates were 82.3%, 12.6%, and 0.7%, respectively, and the hospitalization rate was 15.1%. Children who received SQ-LNS before an episode of AM were 43% less likely to be hospitalized (ORa=0.57; 0.39-0.85, p = 0.004). Discussion OptiMA had acceptable recovery compared to the Nigerien reference but non-response was high. Children who received SQ-LNS before treatment under OptiMA were less likely to be hospitalized, showing potential health benefits of combining simplified treatment protocols with food-based prevention in an area with a high burden of malnutrition such as rural Niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Phelan
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Benjamin Seri
- PRISME-CI ANRS|MIE Research Programme, University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maguy Daures
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cyrille Yao
- PRISME-CI ANRS|MIE Research Programme, University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Rodrigue Alitanou
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Niamey, Niger
| | | | | | - Atté Sanoussi
- Ministry of Health, Nutrition Division, Niamey, Niger
| | - Aboubacar Mahamadou
- High-Commission of the Nigériens Nourrissent les Nigériens (3N) Initiative, Niamey, Niger
| | - Cécile Cazes
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Raoul Moh
- PRISME-CI ANRS|MIE Research Programme, University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Dermatology and Infectiology Pedagogical Unit, Training and Research Units in Medical Sciences, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Renaud Becquet
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Susan Shepherd
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
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Hamaimbo BT, Marinda PA, Nyau V, Chileshe J, Khayeka-wandabwa C, Schoustra SE. Adequate Dietary Intake and Consumption of Indigenous Fermented Products Are Associated with Improved Nutrition Status among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Zambia. Dairy 2023; 4:137-149. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy4010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Agroecological food systems and socioeconomic characteristics are known to influence household food security and food consumption patterns and consequently have an impact on child nutritional status. The present study examined food consumption patterns among children aged 6–23 months in two geographic regions of Zambia, with special focus on consumption of fermented products, and its association with illnesses and nutritional status. The cross-sectional survey enrolled a total of 213 children from Namwala and Mkushi districts of Zambia. A 24 h recall and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were used to determine the number of food groups consumed and consequently dietary diversity scores and food consumption patterns, respectively. Determinants of child’s linear growth as measured by Height-for-Age Z-scores (HAZ) were assessed via multiple linear regression analysis. In total, 54% of the children met the minimum dietary diversity by consuming food from at least 5+ food groups. Maize meal porridge, Mabisi (fermented milk), Chibwantu and Munkoyo (fermented beverages based on cereals) and groundnuts were among the frequently consumed foods. A higher consumption of fermented beverages was observed in Namwala compared to Mkushi district. A significant association was observed between HAZ score (rho = 0.198, p = 0.004), Weight-for-Age Z-score (WAZ) (rho = 0.142, p = 0.039) and consumption of mabisi. Dietary intake had a positive association with child nutritional status. The frequent consumption of traditional non-alcoholic cereal and milk-based fermented foods underpinned their contribution to the children’s dietary intake. Moreover, the trend would be viewed as an indicator to nutrition and policy actors on possible unoptimized potential of indigenous fermented foods’ influence in nutritional and health status among children at regional and national levels. Although Zambia has a wide range of traditional non-alcoholic fermented food products, their prospects in provision of macro- and micronutrients along with microbiota benefits remain scanty despite global efforts increasingly advocating for the inclusion of such traditional foods in food-based recommendations.
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Puett C, King S, Stobaugh H. A multi-country, prospective cohort study to evaluate the economic implications of relapse among children recovered from severe acute malnutrition: a study protocol. BMC Nutr 2022; 8:139. [DOI: 10.1186/s40795-022-00631-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) is an effective intervention at recovering children from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and preventing mortality. However, there is growing evidence that for many children recovery is not sustained post-discharge. This study will assess the economic implications of relapse by calculating the average cost of treating a case of SAM that relapses after initial CMAM treatment compared to the cost of a case that remains recovered for 6 months post-discharge.
Methods
This protocol outlines the methods for a cost-efficiency analysis to assess cost per episode of treatment for acute malnutrition for children enrolled in CMAM programs for initial SAM treatment in Mali, Somalia and South Sudan. Cost data will be collected and analyzed on a monthly basis for each CMAM service component (outpatient treatment program for SAM, supplementary feeding program for moderate acute malnutrition, and inpatient stabilization care for SAM with medical complications). Financial data will be extracted from expenditure records from institutional accounting systems where possible. Where these are not present, cost data will be collected via interview and review of financial documents. Staff time allocation interviews will be conducted. This data will be applied to quantify personnel costs, to apportion costs that are shared between programs and to exclude staff time spent on research activities.
Discussion
This study will provide the first estimates to address the limited evidence on the economic implications of SAM relapse in CMAM programs. Data from this economic analysis will help raise awareness and provide actionable data for the global nutrition community to address the financial burden of relapse. Estimating the cost of relapse in three countries representing different geographic and operational contexts will help in generalizing these results.
Trial registration
Registration # IORG0007116, Date of registration: 06/09/2020. This study is not registered as a clinical trial as it is observational research and does not include an intervention. The study has received the required ethical approvals as outlined in the declarations.
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12
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Phiri M, Mulemena D, Kalinda C, Odhiambo JN. Contextual factors and spatial trends of childhood malnutrition in Zambia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277015. [PMID: 36327254 PMCID: PMC9632925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the national burden and epidemiological profile of childhood malnutrition is central to achieving both national and global health priorities. However, national estimates of malnutrition often conceal large geographical disparities. This study examined the prevalence of childhood malnutrition across provinces in Zambia, changes over time, and identified factors associated with the changes. METHODS We analyzed data from the 2013/4 and 2018 Zambia demographic and health surveys (ZDHS) to examine the spatial heterogeneity and mesoscale correlates of the dual burden of malnutrition in children in Zambia. Maps illustrating the provincial variation of childhood malnutrition were constructed. Socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with childhood malnutrition in 2013 and 2018 were assessed independently using a multivariate logistic model. RESULTS Between 2013/4 and 2018, the average prevalence of stunting decreased from 40.1% (95% CI: 39.2-40.9) to 34.6% (95% CI:33.6-35.5), wasting decreased from 6.0% (95% CI: 5.6-6.5) to 4.2% (95% CI: 3.8-4.7), underweight decreased from 14.8% (95% CI: 14.1-15.4) to 11.8% (95% CI: 11.2-12.5) and overweight decreased from 5.7% (95% CI: 5.3-6.2) to 5.2% (95% CI: 4.8-5.7). High variability in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition across the provinces were observed. Specifically, stunting and underweight in Northern and Luapula provinces were observed in 2013/14, whereas Lusaka province had a higher degree of variability over the two survey periods. CONCLUSION The study points to key sub-populations at greater risk and provinces where malnutrition was prevalent in Zambia. Overall, these results have important implications for nutrition policy and program efforts to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Million Phiri
- Department of Population Studies, University of Zambia, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Demography and Population Studies, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - David Mulemena
- Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chester Kalinda
- University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health, Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), Kigali, Rwanda
- Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), University of Global Health Equity, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Julius Nyerere Odhiambo
- Ignite Global Health Research Lab, Global Research Institute, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sato R, Daures M, Phelan K, Shepherd S, Kinda M, Becquet R, Hecht R, Resch S. Utilization patterns, outcomes and costs of a simplified acute malnutrition treatment programme in Burkina Faso. Maternal & Child Nutrition 2022; 18:e13291. [PMID: 34957682 PMCID: PMC8932691 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Access to treatment for acute malnutrition remains a challenge, in part due to the fragmentation of treatment programmes based on case severity. This paper evaluates utilization patterns, outcomes and associated costs for treating acute malnutrition cases among a cohort of children in Burkina Faso. This study is a secondary analysis of a proof‐of‐concept trial, called Optimizing treatment for acute Malnutrition (OptiMA), conducted in Burkina Faso in 2016. A total of 4958 eligible children whose mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) was less than 125 mm or with oedema were followed weekly and given ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTF). We evaluated the service utilization and outcomes among patients and estimated resource use and variable cost per patient, and examined factors driving variation in resource use. Children with lower initial MUAC level grew faster but required more time to recover than those with higher initial MUAC level. They also had higher rates of death, default and nonresponse. The simplified OptiMA approach for treating acute malnutrition achieved high rates of recovery overall (84%), especially among less severe cases, with modest quantities of RUTF. The average overall variable cost per child admitted was US$38.0 (SD: 20.5) half of which was accounted for by the cost of RUTF. Cost per recovered case was correlated with case severity, ranging from US$35.1 to US$132.8. If simplified integrated programmes using severity‐based RUTF dosing can increase access to treatment at earlier, less severe stages of acute malnutrition, they can help avoid more serious and costlier cases. This paper evaluates utilization patterns, outcomes, and associated costs for treating acute malnutrition cases among a cohort of children in Burkina Faso. Children with lower initial mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) level grew faster but required more time to recover than those with higher initial MUAC level. The average cost per child admitted was US$38.0 half of which was accounted for by the cost of ready to use therapeutic foods (RUTF). If simplified programs can increase access to treatment at earlier, less severe stages of acute malnutrition, they can help avoid more serious and costlier cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoko Sato
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Maguy Daures
- Inserm, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Bordeaux Population Health Research Center University of Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Kevin Phelan
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) Paris France
| | - Susan Shepherd
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) Paris France
| | - Moumouni Kinda
- The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) Paris France
| | - Renaud Becquet
- Inserm, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Bordeaux Population Health Research Center University of Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | | | - Stephen Resch
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston Massachusetts USA
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Wun J, Kemp C, Puett C, Bushnell D, Crocker J, Levin C. Measurement of benefits in economic evaluations of nutrition interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review. Maternal & Child Nutrition 2022; 18:e13323. [PMID: 35137531 PMCID: PMC8932707 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Economic evaluation of nutrition interventions that compares the costs to benefits is essential to priority‐setting. However, there are unique challenges to synthesizing the findings of multi‐sectoral nutrition interventions due to the diversity of potential benefits and the methodological differences among sectors in measuring them. This systematic review summarises literature on the interventions, sectors, benefit terminology and benefit types included in cost‐effectiveness, cost‐utility and benefit‐cost analyses (CEA, CUA and BCA, respectively) of nutrition interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries. A systematic search of five databases published from January 2010 to September 2019 with expert consultation yielded 2794 studies, of which 93 met all inclusion criteria. Eighty‐seven per cent of the included studies included interventions delivered from only one sector, with almost half from the health sector (43%), followed by food/agriculture (27%), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) (10%), and social protection (8%). Only 9% of studies assessed programmes involving more than one sector (health, food/agriculture, social protection and/or WASH). Eighty‐one per cent of studies used more than one term to refer to intervention benefits. The included studies calculated 128 economic evaluation ratios (57 CEAs, 39 CUAs and 32 BCAs), and the benefits they included varied by sector. Nearly 60% measured a single benefit category, most frequently nutritional status improvements; other health benefits, cognitive/education gains, dietary diversity, food security, knowledge/attitudes/practices and income were included in less than 10% of all ratios. Additional economic evaluation of non‐health and multi‐sector interventions, and incorporation of benefits beyond nutritional improvements (including cost savings) in future economic evaluations is recommended. Current economic evaluations often underestimate the total sum of benefits that can arise from nutrition interventions. Comprehensive benefit measurement of some nutrition programmes may require further methodological research. In the near‐term, economic evaluations of multi‐sectoral nutrition interventions should include potential cost savings from improved nutrition in their calculations and assess the potential for benefits unrelated to nutrition. If the range of benefits is diverse and can be monetised, benefit‐cost analysis may be the preferred evaluation method. Economic evaluations of nutrition‐sensitive interventions from agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and gender empowerment sectors, are needed to fill an evidence gap on costs and benefits of multisectoral approaches to improved maternal and child health and nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolene Wun
- Independent Consultant Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Christopher Kemp
- Department of Global Health University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Chloe Puett
- Program in Public Health Stony Brook University Stony Brook New York USA
| | - Devon Bushnell
- Department of Global Health University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Jonny Crocker
- Department of Global Health University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global Health University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
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15
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Menzies NA, Berthé F, Hitchings M, Aruna P, Hamza MA, Nanama S, Steve-Edemba C, Shehu I, Grais RF, Isanaka S. Cost-effectiveness of monthly follow-up for the treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition: An economic evaluation of a randomized controlled trial. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0001189. [PMID: 36962786 PMCID: PMC10022243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major source of mortality for children in low resource settings. Alternative treatment models that improve acceptability and reduce caregiver burden are needed to improve treatment access. We assessed costs and cost-effectiveness of monthly vs. weekly follow-up (standard-of-care) for treating uncomplicated SAM in children 6-59 months of age. To do so, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of a cluster-randomized trial of treatment for newly-diagnosed uncomplicated SAM in northwestern Nigeria (clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT03140904). We collected empirical costing data from enrollment up to 3 months post-discharge. We quantified health outcomes as the fraction of children recovered at discharge (primary cost-effectiveness outcome), the fraction recovered 3 months post-discharge, and total DALYs due to acute malnutrition. We estimated cost-effectiveness from both provider and societal perspectives. Costs are reported in 2019 US dollars. Provider costs per child were $67.07 (95% confidence interval: $64.79, $69.29) under standard-of-care, and $78.74 ($77.06, $80.66) under monthly follow-up. Patient costs per child were $21.04 ($18.18, $23.51) under standard-of-care, and $14.16 ($12.79, $15.25) under monthly follow-up. Monthly follow-up performed worse than standard-of-care for each health outcome assessed and was dominated (produced worse health outcomes at higher cost) by the standard-of-care in cost-effectiveness analyses. This result was robust to statistical uncertainty and to alternative costing assumptions. These findings provide evidence against monthly follow-up for treatment of uncomplicated SAM in situations where weekly follow-up of patients is feasible. While monthly follow-up may reduce burdens on caregivers and providers, other approaches are needed to do so while maintaining the effectiveness of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas A Menzies
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Matt Hitchings
- Department of Biology and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Philip Aruna
- Médecins sans Frontières-Operational Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Siméon Nanama
- UNICEF West and Central Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | | | | | - Sheila Isanaka
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Epicentre, Paris, France
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Baek Y, Ademi Z, Paudel S, Fisher J, Tran T, Romero L, Owen A. Economic Evaluations of Child Nutrition Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal. Adv Nutr 2021; 13:282-317. [PMID: 34510178 PMCID: PMC8803532 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Economic evaluation is crucial for cost-effective resource allocation to improve child nutrition in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the quality of published economic evaluations in these settings is not well understood. This systematic review aimed to assess the quality of existing economic evaluations of child nutrition interventions in LMICs and synthesize the study characteristics and economic evidence. We searched 9 electronic databases, including MEDLINE, with the following concepts: economic evaluation, children, nutrition, and LMICs. All types of interventions addressing malnutrition, including stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiency, and overweight, were identified. We included economic evaluations that examined both costs and effects published in English peer-reviewed journals and used the Drummond checklist for quality appraisal. We present findings through a narrative synthesis. Sixty-nine studies with diverse settings, perspectives, time horizons, and outcome measures were included. Most studies used data from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and addressed undernutrition. The mortality rate, intervention effect, intervention coverage, cost, and discount rate were reported as predictors among studies that performed sensitivity analyses. Despite the heterogeneity of included studies and the possibility of publication bias, 81% of included studies concluded that nutrition interventions were cost-effective or cost-beneficial, mostly based on a country's cost-effectiveness thresholds. Regarding quality assessment, the studies published after 2016 met more criteria than studies published before 2016. Most studies had well-stated research questions, forms of economic evaluation, interventions, and conclusions. However, reporting the perspective of the analyses, justification of discount rates, and describing the role of funders and ethics approval were identified as areas needing improvement. The gaps in the quality of reporting could be improved by consolidated guidance on the publication of economic evaluations and the use of appropriate quality appraisal checklists. Strengthening the evidence base for child malnutrition across different regions is necessary to inform cost-effective investment in LMICs. Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42020194445.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Baek
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Paudel
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thach Tran
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Hiebert L, Phelan K, Kinda M, Dan-Bouzoua N, Kyungu M, Bounameaux T, Sayadi S, Maidadji O, Hecht R. Costs of Implementing an Integrated Package of Maternal and Pediatric Interventions Including SQ-LNS in Rural Niger. Food Nutr Bull 2021; 42:567-583. [PMID: 34467822 DOI: 10.1177/03795721211039869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In January 2015, the Alliance for International Medical Action and Bien Être de la Femme et de l'Enfant au Niger launched the 1000 Days Program in Mirriah District, Niger, to provide an integrated package of maternal and pediatric preventive and curative interventions. A new component of the package was the provision of small-quantity lipid-based nutritional supplements (SQ-LNS) for children 6 to 23 months. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to estimate the costs associated with providing the 1000 days package. METHODS Activity-based costing was used to estimate the total costs of the 10 activities included in the 1000 days package and also the incremental costs of new interventions, those beyond the standard of care. RESULTS The total cost of the 1000 Days Program was US$2.31 million for 9000 mother-child pairs. The average cost per pair was US$257 or US$103 per year. Incremental costs for new interventions accounted for 56% of program costs. Small-quantity lipid-based nutritional supplement represented 30% of incremental costs. A combination of efficiency measures could lower program costs by 15%. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to estimate the costs of an integrated, preventative-curative package of maternal-child health interventions with SQ-LNS. Implementing the 1000 days package across Niger will be challenging with only the country's domestic health resources. Efficiency measures and creative financing arrangements, including support from external partners, should be explored. The approach and results described can inform future resource mobilization, financing, and budgeting efforts to scale the 1000 days or similar programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Phelan
- The 560729Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Paris, France
| | - Moumouni Kinda
- The 560729Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Maurice Kyungu
- The 560729Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Thomas Bounameaux
- The 560729Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sani Sayadi
- 531380Bien Être de la Femme et de l'Enfant (BEFEN), Niamey, Niger
| | - Oumarou Maidadji
- 531380Bien Être de la Femme et de l'Enfant (BEFEN), Niamey, Niger
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Griswold SP, Langlois BK, Shen Y, Cliffer IR, Suri DJ, Walton S, Chui K, Rosenberg IH, Koroma AS, Wegner D, Hassan A, Manary MJ, Vosti SA, Webb P, Rogers BL. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 4 supplementary foods for treating moderate acute malnutrition: results from a cluster-randomized intervention trial in Sierra Leone. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 114:973-985. [PMID: 34020452 PMCID: PMC8408853 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) affects 33 million children annually. Investments in formulations of corn-soy blended flours and lipid-based nutrient supplements have effectively improved MAM recovery rates. Information costs and cost-effectiveness differences are still needed. OBJECTIVES We assessed recovery and sustained recovery rates of MAM children receiving a supplementary food: ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), corn soy whey blend with fortified vegetable oil (CSWB w/oil), or Super Cereal Plus with amylase (SC + A) compared to Corn Soy Blend Plus with fortified vegetable oil (CSB+ w/oil). We also estimated differences in costs and cost effectiveness of each supplement. METHODS In Sierra Leone, we randomly assigned 29 health centers to provide a supplement containing 550 kcal/d for ∼12 wk to 2691 children with MAM aged 6-59 mo. We calculated cost per enrollee, cost per child who recovered, and cost per child who sustained recovery each from 2 perspectives: program perspective and caregiver perspective, combined. RESULTS Of 2653 MAM children (98.6%) with complete data, 1676 children (63%) recovered. There were no significant differences in the odds of recovery compared to CSB+ w/oil [0.83 (95% CI: 0.64-1.08) for CSWB w/oil, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.78-1.3) for SC + A, 1.05 (95% CI: 0.82-1.34) for RUSF]. The odds of sustaining recovery were significantly lower for RUSF (0.7; 95% CI 0.49-0.99) but not CSWB w/oil or SC + A [1.08 (95% CI: 0.73-1.6) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.67-1.4), respectively] when compared to CSB+ w/oil. Costs per enrollee [US dollars (USD)/child] ranged from $105/child in RUSF to $112/child in SC + A and costs per recovered child (USD/child) ranged from $163/child in RUSF to $179/child in CSWB w/oil, with overlapping uncertainty ranges. Costs were highest per sustained recovery (USD/child), ranging from $214/child with the CSB+ w/oil to $226/child with the SC + A, with overlapping uncertainty ranges. CONCLUSIONS The 4 supplements performed similarly across recovery (but not sustained recovery) and costed measures. Analyses of posttreatment outcomes are necessary to estimate the full cost of MAM treatment. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03146897.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Breanne K Langlois
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ye Shen
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilana R Cliffer
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Devika J Suri
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shelley Walton
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Chui
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irwin H Rosenberg
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aminata S Koroma
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Directorate of Food and Nutrition, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Donna Wegner
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amir Hassan
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mark J Manary
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen A Vosti
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California‐Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Webb
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Beatrice L Rogers
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonia Vassilakou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens University Campus, 196 Alexandras Ave, GR-11521 Athens, Greece
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Nane D, Hatløy A, Lindtjørn B. Development and nutritional evaluation of local ingredients-based supplements to treat moderate acute malnutrition among children aged below five years: A descriptive study from rural Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:6287-6295. [PMID: 33282278 PMCID: PMC7684584 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In Ethiopia, moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is a persistent public health problem. The current management approaches for MAM among children are counseling in food-secure settings and food supplementation in chronically food-insecure areas. The objective of this study was to develop a local ingredients-based supplement (LIBS) for treating MAM among children. Collection of food ingredients (pumpkin seed, amaranth grain, flaxseed, peanut, and emmer wheat) was made. Sorting, soaking, drying, roasting, and milling of ingredients were done. Nutrient analysis was done using triplicate measurements of each nutrient. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze differences in means with ± standard deviation of nutrient measurements among the supplements. The nutrient content of four developed LIBS ranged from 20.3 g to 22.5 g for protein, 29.3 g to 33.5 g for fat, 509.5 kcal to 570.0 for kcal, 6.0 g to 8.5 g for fiber, 2.8 g to 3.7 g for moisture, and 2.1 g to 4.3 g for ash. The mineral and antinutrient components ranged from 75.6 mg to 115.6 mg for calcium, 473.1 mg to 570.2 mg for potassium, 79.3 mg to 114.4 mg for sodium, 4.1 mg to 5.6 mg for zinc, 8.2 mg to 10.2 mg for iron, 442.6 mg to 470.4 mg for phosphorous, and 2.1 mg to 4.3 mg for phytate. The LIBS with the highest portion of pumpkin seed had significantly highest amounts of protein, fat, calories, iron, zinc, and potassium. The results found were within the recommended range of required nutrients for the treatment of children with MAM. Therefore, LIBS may be used for the management of children with MAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debritu Nane
- School of Public and Environmental HealthHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
- Centre for International HealthUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Anne Hatløy
- Centre for International HealthUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Fafo Institute for Labour and Social ResearchOsloNorway
| | - Bernt Lindtjørn
- School of Public and Environmental HealthHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
- Centre for International HealthUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
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Mkhize M, Sibanda M. A Review of Selected Studies on the Factors Associated with the Nutrition Status of Children Under the Age of Five Years in South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E7973. [PMID: 33142965 PMCID: PMC7662515 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Malnutrition is a considerable contributor to child mortality and morbidity. Child malnutrition further affects the country's economic development. Child malnutrition in South Africa is persistent, continuing to be an alarming burden. The nutritional status of kids under the age of five years is a critical indicator of the country's economic condition and health status. An understanding of the influencers of the nutritional status of children can act as a catalyst in combatting all forms of malnutrition. The purpose of this paper was to review selected studies concerning the factors that affect the nutritional status of children in South Africa. Studies were selected from electronic databases, which were PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Sabinet African Journals, and the University of Zululand library catalog. The keywords that were used to search studies and articles from the selected database were: risk factors, child nutritional status, children under the age of five years, South Africa, malnutrition, underweight, stunted, wasting, and over-nutrition. Studies and surveys published from 2010-2019 that reported on the factors influencing the nutritional status of children under the age of five years were included in this review. Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria of the study. The 27 articles were made up of 21 cross-sectional articles and six longitudinal articles. The finding from this review highlights that there is a lack of studies conducted in urban areas. The results show that the nutritional status of children is affected by several factors. These include household food insecurity, low household income, illiterate caregivers, unemployment, inadequate dietary intake, low birth weight, consumption of monotonous diets, poor caregiver's nutritional knowledge, poor access to water and sanitation, poor weaning practices, age of the caregiver, and demographic characteristics of a child (age and gender). It is critical to have an understanding of the factors that affect the nutritional status of children. Such knowledge can significantly contribute to formulating policies that can enhance nutrition security and the country's economy. Moreover, insights into strategic interventions to eradicate all forms of malnutrition can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melusi Sibanda
- Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa;
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22
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Njuguna RG, Berkley JA, Jemutai J. Cost and cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment for child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:62. [PMID: 33102783 PMCID: PMC7569484 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15781.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Undernutrition remains highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounting for majority of the cases. Apart from the health and human capacity impacts on children affected by malnutrition, there are significant economic impacts to households and service providers. The aim of this study was to determine the current state of knowledge on costs and cost-effectiveness of child undernutrition treatment to households, health providers, organizations and governments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies in LMICs up to September 2019. We searched online databases including PubMed-Medline, Embase, Popline, Econlit and Web of Science. We identified additional articles through bibliographic citation searches. Only articles including costs of child undernutrition treatment were included. Results: We identified a total of 6436 articles, and only 50 met the eligibility criteria. Most included studies adopted institutional/program (45%) and health provider (38%) perspectives. The studies varied in the interventions studied and costing methods used with treatment costs reported ranging between US$0.44 and US$1344 per child. The main cost drivers were personnel, therapeutic food and productivity loss. We also assessed the cost effectiveness of community-based management of malnutrition programs (CMAM). Cost per disability adjusted life year (DALY) averted for a CMAM program integrated into existing health services in Malawi was $42. Overall, cost per DALY averted for CMAM ranged between US$26 and US$53, which was much lower than facility-based management (US$1344). Conclusion: There is a need to assess the burden of direct and indirect costs of child undernutrition to households and communities in order to plan, identify cost-effective solutions and address issues of cost that may limit delivery, uptake and effectiveness. Standardized methods and reporting in economic evaluations would facilitate interpretation and provide a means for comparing costs and cost-effectiveness of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Njuguna
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,Department of Public Health, School of Health and Human Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James A Berkley
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,The Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julie Jemutai
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,The Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
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23
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Njuguna RG, Berkley JA, Jemutai J. Cost and cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment for child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:62. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15781.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Undernutrition remains highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounting for majority of the cases. Apart from the health and human capacity impacts on children affected by malnutrition, there are significant economic impacts to households and service providers. The aim of this study was to determine the current state of knowledge on costs of child undernutrition treatment to households, health providers, organizations and governments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies in LMICs up to September 2019. We searched online databases including PubMed-Medline, Embase, Popline, Econlit and Web of Science. We identified additional articles through bibliographic citation searches. Only articles including costs of child undernutrition treatment were included. Results: We identified a total of 6436 articles, and only 50 met the eligibility criteria. Most included studies adopted institutional/program (45%) and health provider (38%) perspectives. The studies varied in the interventions studied and costing methods used with treatment costs reported ranging between US$0.44 and US$1344 per child. The main cost drivers were personnel, therapeutic food and productivity loss. Conclusion: There is a need to assess the burden of direct and indirect costs of child undernutrition to households and communities in order to plan, identify cost-effective solutions and address issues of cost that may limit delivery, uptake and effectiveness. Standardized methods and reporting in economic evaluations would facilitate interpretation and provide a means for comparing costs and cost-effectiveness of interventions.
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24
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Tam E, Keats EC, Rind F, Das JK, Bhutta ZA. Micronutrient Supplementation and Fortification Interventions on Health and Development Outcomes among Children Under-Five in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2020; 12:E289. [PMID: 31973225 PMCID: PMC7071447 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies continue to be widespread among children under-five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite the fact that several effective strategies now exist to prevent them. This kind of malnutrition can have several immediate and long-term consequences, including stunted growth, a higher risk of acquiring infections, and poor development outcomes, all of which may lead to a child not achieving his or her full potential. This review systematically synthesizes the available evidence on the strategies used to prevent micronutrient malnutrition among children under-five in LMICs, including single and multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation, lipid-based nutrient supplementation (LNS), targeted and large-scale fortification, and point-of-use-fortification with micronutrient powders (MNPs). We searched relevant databases and grey literature, retrieving 35,924 papers. After application of eligibility criteria, we included 197 unique studies. Of note, we examined the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions. We found that certain outcomes, such as anemia, responded to several intervention types. The risk of anemia was reduced with iron alone, iron-folic acid, MMN supplementation, MNPs, targeted fortification, and large-scale fortification. Stunting and underweight, however, were improved only among children who were provided with LNS, though MMN supplementation also slightly increased length-for-age z-scores. Vitamin A supplementation likely reduced all-cause mortality, while zinc supplementation decreased the incidence of diarrhea. Importantly, many effects of LNS and MNPs held when pooling data from effectiveness studies. Taken together, this evidence further supports the importance of these strategies for reducing the burden of micronutrient malnutrition in children. Population and context should be considered when selecting one or more appropriate interventions for programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Tam
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (E.T.); (E.C.K.)
| | - Emily C. Keats
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (E.T.); (E.C.K.)
| | - Fahad Rind
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child’s Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan;
| | - Jai K. Das
- Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan;
| | - Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (E.T.); (E.C.K.)
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child’s Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan;
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25
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Daures M, Phelan K, Issoufou M, Kouanda S, Sawadogo O, Issaley K, Cazes C, Séri B, Ouaro B, Akpakpo B, Mendiboure V, Shepherd S, Becquet R. New approach to simplifying and optimising acute malnutrition treatment in children aged 6-59 months: the OptiMA single-arm proof-of-concept trial in Burkina Faso. Br J Nutr 2020; 123:756-67. [PMID: 31818335 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114519003258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The Optimising treatment for acute MAlnutrition (OptiMA) strategy trains mothers to use mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) bracelets for screening and targets treatment to children with MUAC < 125 mm or oedema with one therapeutic food at a gradually reduced dose. This study seeks to determine whether OptiMA conforms to SPHERE standards (recovery rate > 75 %). A single-arm proof-of-concept trial was conducted in 2017 in Yako district, Burkina Faso including children aged 6–59 months in outpatient health centres with MUAC < 125 mm or oedema. Outcomes were stratified by MUAC category at admission. Multivariate survival analysis was carried out to identify variables predictive of recovery. Among 4958 children included, 824 (16·6 %) were admitted with MUAC < 115 mm or oedema, 1070 (21·6 %) with MUAC 115–119 mm and 3064 (61·8 %) with MUAC 120–124 mm. The new dosage was correctly implemented at all visits for 75·9 % of children. Global recovery was 86·3 (95 % CI 85·4, 87·2) % and 70·5 (95 % CI 67·5, 73·5) % for children admitted with MUAC < 115 mm or oedema. Average therapeutic food consumption was 60·8 sachets per child treated. Recovery was positively associated with mothers trained to use MUAC prior to child’s admission (adjusted hazard ratio 1·09; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·19). OptiMA was successfully implemented at the scale of an entire district under ‘real-life’ conditions. Programme outcomes exceeded SPHERE standards, but further study is needed to determine if increasing therapeutic food dosages for the most severely malnourished will improve recovery.
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