Abstract
BackgroundSchool Feeding Program (SFP) is a targeted safety net program designed to provide educational and health benefits to vulnerable children. However, limited evidence exists regarding the effect of the intervention on the nutritional status and school attendance of children. The study is aimed at examining the effects of SFP on dietary diversity, nutritional status and class attendance of school children in Boricha district, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was conducted based on a representative data collected from 290 students drawn from the district. A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on school children aged 10–14 years. Data were collected using structured pretested questionnaire. The effects of SFP on dietary diversity score (DDS), class attendance rate, body-mass-index for age (BAZ) and height-for-age (HAZ) Z-scores were assessed using multivariable linear regression model.ResultsThe finding showed significantly higher mean (±SD) of DDS in SFP beneficiaries (5.8 ± 1.1) than the non-beneficiaries (3.5 ± 0.7) (P < 0.001). BAZ and HAZ of the beneficiaries were also higher than their counterparts, which were (0.07 ± 0.93), (− 0.50 ± 0.86) and (− 1.45 ± 1.38), (− 2.17 ± 1.15) respectively (P < 0.001). The mean (±SD) days of absence from school for non-beneficiaries (2.6 ± 1.6) was significantly higher than that of the beneficiaries (1.3 ± 1.7) (P < 0.05).ConclusionGiven the positive effects of the program in improving the DDS, nutritional status, and class attendance of school children, we strongly recommend scaling up the program to other food insecure areas.
Highlights
School Feeding Program (SFP) is a targeted safety net program designed to provide educational and health benefits to vulnerable children
Local studies in Ethiopia indicated that undernutrition is a major public health problem
The qualitative and quantitative studies have witnessed the positive effect of the SFP on the nutritional status and school attendance of school children in the district
Summary
School Feeding Program (SFP) is a targeted safety net program designed to provide educational and health benefits to vulnerable children. Limited evidence exists regarding the effect of the intervention on the nutritional status and school attendance of children. The study is aimed at examining the effects of SFP on dietary diversity, nutritional status and class attendance of school children in Boricha district, Southern Ethiopia. Undernutrition contributes to about 8 million children death worldwide [1]. It is still a major public health problem in the developing countries, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa [2]. In Africa, a substantial proportion of the school children suffer from malnutrition, are stunted, or experience shortterm hunger [4]. Local studies in Ethiopia indicated that undernutrition is a major public health problem. In 2015, about 31% of the school children were undernourished out of which 19.6% were stunted, 15.9% underweight and 14.0% wasted [5, 6]
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