RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Behavior Change, Egg Consumption, and Child Nutrition: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
JF Pediatrics
JO Pediatrics
FD American Academy of Pediatrics
SP e2020007930
DO 10.1542/peds.2020-007930
VO 146
IS 6
A1 McKune, Sarah L.
A1 Stark, Heather
A1 Sapp, Amanda C.
A1 Yang, Yang
A1 Slanzi, Crystal M.
A1 Moore, Emily V.
A1 Omer, Anteneh
A1 Wereme N’Diaye, Aissata
YR 2020
UL http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/6/e2020007930.abstract
AB Video AbstractBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition is a significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality globally. Egg consumption has been associated with improved child nutrition yet is rare in rural, resource-poor settings. We test the effects of a culturally tailored behavior change intervention to increase child egg consumption.METHODS: A 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in rural Burkina Faso with 260 mother-child dyads. Children aged 4 to 17 months from 18 villages were included; those with reported history of malnutrition or egg allergy were excluded. Each child in the full intervention arm received 4 chickens, and mothers received the 10-month behavior change package. Participants in the partial intervention arm received only the behavior change package.RESULTS: In this analysis of 250 children, the full (β = 4.3; P = 6.6 × 10−12) and the partial (β = 1.0; P = .02) interventions significantly increased egg consumption. The full intervention also significantly increased poultry production (β = 11.6; 95% confidence interval 8.3–15; P = 1.1 × 10−5) and women’s decision-making about eggs (β = .66; P = .02), and significantly decreased wasting (β = .58; P = .03) and underweight (β = .47; P = .02).CONCLUSIONS: The culturally tailored behavior change package significantly increased child egg consumption. When coupled with the gift of chickens, the behavior change intervention yielded a greater increase in egg consumption and significantly reduced wasting and underweight. Behavior change strategies to increase egg consumption should be considered among nutrition and health programs in resource-poor settings where poultry is available.