A large-scale distribution of milk-based fortified spreads: evidence for a new approach in regions with high burden of acute malnutrition
Defourny I, Minetti A, Harczi G, Doyon S, Shepherd S, Tectonidis M, Bradol JH, Golden M.
A study has shown the potential for distribution of fortified spreads to reduce the incidence of severe wasting in large population of children 6-36 months of age in a district of Maradi Region, Niger.
The study evaluated a large-scale distribution of a nutritional supplement on the prevention of wasting. A new ready-to-use food (RUF) was developed as a diet supplement for children under three. The intervention consisted of six monthly distributions of RUF during the 2007 hunger gap for approximately 60,000 children.
Comparison of year-over-year admissions to the therapeutic feeding program shows that the 2007 blanket distribution had essentially the same flattening effect on the seasonal rise in admissions as the 2006 individualized treatment of almost 60,000 children moderately wasted. Throughout the period of the distribution, the incidence of severe acute malnutrition (MUAC<110 mm) remained at extremely low levels.
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