Targeted messages delivered by nurses and radio improved infant and young child feeding in Mexico

Abstract

Scalable interventions are needed to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF). We examined effectiveness of a theory‐based communication intervention to improve IYCF in Mexico. Women with children 6–24 mo were selected randomly from vaccination rosters from 6 semi‐urban low‐income communities in Morelos state (intervention, n=266) and 3 in Puebla state (control, n=201). For the intervention, nurses visited participants once at home to deliver 5 messages: breastfeeding, food consistency, flesh‐food and vegetable consumption, and responsive feeding; messages aired 7 times/d for 21 days on 3 radio stations. We used a pre‐post‐test design to evaluate changes in beliefs, attitudes, and intentions via 3‐point scales, and in practices with a 7‐d food frequency. Mixed models were used to examine intervention‐control differences in pre‐post changes. Coverage for the nurse component was 89%, and 34% for radio. Beliefs, attitudes, and intention about IYCF were significantly improved in the intervention communities compared to control. Intervention participants had significantly greater: breastfeeding frequency (2 times/d), vegetable (0.5 day) and beef consumption (0.2 day), and thicker consistency in soups (0.5 day). This study provides evidence that a targeted communication intervention using a scalable model significantly improved IYCF.Funding by Alive & Thrive, Health Services MorelosGrant Funding Source: Alive and Thrive