Formative research and pilot phase introduction of micronutrient powders for children 6 to 23 months (supported by UNICEF, the WFP and Ministry of Health)

Background

Undernutrition is a major public health problem in Burundi that threatens to compromise the country’s social and economic development. Among children under five, 56% suffer from stunting, an indicator of chronic malnutrition, and 61% are anaemic (DHS 2016). Poor infant and young child feeding practices and micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Burundi and greatly affect children’s ability to play, learn and perform in school, which ultimately impacts development and productivity in adulthood.

Our work

As part of efforts to improve children’s micronutrient status and improve child feeding and care practices, our team provided support to UNICEF, the WFP, and the Government of Burundi, to develop a programme for home fortification with MNP for children 6 to 23 months linked with IYCF education. The Nourish team provided technical support throughout the formative research, which included a feasibility study and an acceptability trial, followed by a pilot phase. We conducted a knowledge, attitudes, and practices study, which informed local product packaging, and communications and training materials, trained national health staff, and carried out an evaluation of the pilot program.