Abstract
We investigated short- and long-term indicators of malnutrition and diet before and after the community-based 'Breaking the Cycle of Poverty' multidisciplinary intervention. A historically and geographically controlled study using data collected in 2013 and 2016. We compared the prevalence of short-term indicators (anaemia, breast-feeding duration and minimum dietary diversity) and long-term indicators (stunting and wasting) in exposed communities at two time points. We then compared these factors in geographic areas exposed or not exposed to intervention. We conducted logistic regression analyses on the 2016 sample to measure associations between living in intervention communities and child growth indicators. Berd region, a chronic conflict zone near the north-eastern border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Children aged 6 months to 6 years. Analyses included data from 2013 comprising 382 children, and data from 2016 comprising 348 children living in communities where the programme was implemented, and 635 children from unexposed communities. Anaemia prevalence in exposed communities was significantly lower in 2016 v. 2013 (10·9 v. 19·1 %, P < 0·01). Minimum dietary diversity (79·0 v. 68·1 %, P < 0·001) and breast-feeding duration (13·0 v. 11·5 months, P < 0·002) were significantly improved in exposed communities. Prevalences of stunting (11·5 v. 10·2 %, P = 0·57) and wasting (4·8 v. 2·0 %, P = 0·07) were not significantly different. Odds of anaemia were significantly lower (OR = 0·24, 95 % CI 0·16, 0·36) in intervention communities. Exposure to a community-based multidisciplinary intervention reduced the rate of anaemia and improved dietary indicators.
Highlights
Logistic regression analyses were conducted with all 983 participants who participated in 2016, including the 348 from communities that received the intervention and 635 children from unexposed communities
The children living in the communities that were not exposed to the FAR programme from 2013 to 2016 had a lower prevalence of stunting (7·70 v. 11·53 %); a higher prevalence of anaemia (31·45 v. 10·66 %); higher maternal educational attainment (52·36 v. 37·75 % completed secondary school); and a higher prevalence of paternal unemployment (41·82 v. 23·92 %)
Our study found that communities receiving a multidisciplinary intervention experienced significant changes in short-term indicators of nutrition and child growth including anaemia, breast-feeding practices, minimum dietary diversity and reports of going to sleep hungry
Summary
Study design This historically controlled study included data collected from a 2013 baseline survey as well as follow-up data collected in 2016(20). Study setting The 2013 baseline study was conducted in the Berd region, namely the city of Berd and seven surrounding rural communities: Nerkin Karmiraghbyur, Aygepar, Tavush, Chinchin, Verin Caghkavan, Varagavan and Paravakar villages[20]. The final study sample includes children living in the fourteen communities remaining in the programme in 2016: Berd city, Nerkin Karmiraghbyur, Aygepar, Tavush, Chinchin, Movses, Verin Karmiraghbyur, Choratan, Norashen, Navur, Itsakar, Artsvaberd, Chinari and Aygedzor. To compare child growth and feeding indicators before and after the intervention, we used baseline data collected in 2013 from Berd city and four rural areas (Nerkin Karmraghbyur, Aygepar, Chinchin and Tavush) as a historical control group (Fig. 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
