Intrahousehold management and use of nutritional supplements during the hunger gap in Maradi region, Niger: a qualitative study

Caroline Marquer,Eric-Alain Ategbo,Saskia Depee,Fatou Berthe,Céline Langendorf,Santiago Rodas-Moya,Rebecca F Grais,Lynda Christelle Woi-Messe

doi:10.1186/s40795-019-0329-0

Abstract

BackgroundNutritional supplements are used for preventing and treating childhood malnutrition. While there is a growing body of evidence on product efficacy, less emphasis has been placed on how they are perceived and used at the household level. Here, we report on the intrahousehold management of three different supplements (Ready to Use Supplementary food (RUSF), medium quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS-MQ) and Super Cereal Plus (SC+)) in the region of Maradi (Niger). The main objective of this study was to describe the use, consumption and perception of the three different nutritional products at the household level.MethodsThe study was conducted in the Madarounfa district in the region of Maradi (February – March 2012). Female caregivers were purposely selected from eligible households and invited to participate. Data were collected through focus group discussion and interviews and were analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsIn total, 114 caregivers participated. Three major themes were initially identified and included preparation and conservation; consumption and sharing practices as well as perception of impact. The data showed good acceptance at the household level including perceived benefits for the target children, health improvement, prevention of illness and malnutrition. Sharing and gifting at both household and community level were also reported.ConclusionsCaregivers displayed positive perceptions toward the investigated supplements. Patterns of actual management should be considered in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of future programs.

Highlights

Nutritional supplements are used for preventing and treating childhood malnutrition
The three supplements were a ready to use supplementary food (RUSF, Supplementary Plumpy®), a Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement Medium Quantity (LNS-MQ, Plumpy’Doz®), and improved cornsoy blend for young children known as Super Cereal Plus (SC+)
When referring to Ready to use supplementary food (RUSF) and Lipid-based nutrient supplements medium quantity (LNS-MQ), most of the participants named the nutritional supplements by a word in Hausa representing its consistency and appearance, they were primarily described as “biskit” or “labou”

Summary

Introduction

Nutritional supplements are used for preventing and treating childhood malnutrition. While there is a growing body of evidence on product efficacy, less emphasis has been placed on how they are perceived and used at the household level. We report on the intrahousehold management of three different supplements (Ready to Use Supplementary food (RUSF), medium quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS-MQ) and Super Cereal Plus (SC+)) in the region of Maradi (Niger). While there is a growing body of evidence on the individual efficacy of these products, less emphasis This qualitative study was an additional component of a parent intervention study comparing the effectiveness of different strategies to prevent acute malnutrition among children aged 6–23 months: a nutritional supplement alone, a nutritional supplement and household support through a food ration or cash transfer, or a cash transfer alone [21,22,23]. RUSF is a Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement Large Quantity (LNS-LQ), packed in individual sachet of 100 g, recommended for 6 months old children at the dosage of one packet per day per child. Contrary to the two other supplements described, it is consumed like porridge by mixing an appropriate proportion of flour and clean water followed by a cooking time at simmering point from 5 to 10 min and need to be consumed immediately (Table 1)

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Conclusion