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Infant nutritional outcomes in an integrated agriculture, health and nutrition program in Western Kenya
Author(s) -
Webb Girard Amy,
Wanjala Rose,
Okuku Haile,
Levin Carol,
Cole Donald,
Low Jan,
Grant Frederick
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.31.8
Subject(s) - medicine , micronutrient , wasting , underweight , anthropometry , anemia , malnutrition , pediatrics , socioeconomic status , pregnancy , nutrition education , environmental health , micronutrient deficiency , population , body mass index , gerontology , overweight , pathology , biology , genetics
The Mama SASHA project integrated an orange‐fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP)‐focused, agricultural‐nutrition education intervention into delivery of routine health services and pregnant women's clubs. It aimed to improve diets, nutrition and health of pregnant /lactating women and their infants. We enrolled 505 women from intervention and control facilities during first antenatal care visit in early pregnancy. Infant anthropometry, vitamin A and iron status were assessed at 4 and 9 mos of age and anemia at 9 mos. There were no significant socioeconomic differences at enrollment. OFSP consumption was significantly higher and maternal MUAC significantly lower in intervention mothers at enrollment and throughout the follow up period. Mean birth weight was 3.27±0.5 kg and did not differ between groups. At 9 mos household food security and coverage with VA supplementation were significantly higher in controls; consumption of OFSP was significantly higher in intervention infants. From 4 to 9 mos postpartum, stunting increased significantly in controls (6.9% to 10.6%, p<0.05); stunting decreased nonsignificantly in the intervention group (11.5% to 10.3%, p>0.05). There was no change in either underweight from 4 to 9 mos (intervention: 3.1% to 3.3%; controls: 3.9% to 4.3%) or wasting (intervention: 2.1% to 1.6%; controls: 2.9% to 2.7%). There were no significant group differences in infant micronutrient status or anemia at 4 or 9 months. Further analysis will evaluate impact using mixed models that control for clustering, repeated measures and confounding.