Improving child nutrition and development through community based childcare centres in Malawi- The NEEP-IE study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.


Guelli, A, Margolies, A, Santacroce, M, Sproule, K, Theis, S, Roshnik, N, Twalibu, N, Chidalwenga, G, Cooper, A, Moorhead, T et al (show 3 more authors) (2017) Improving child nutrition and development through community based childcare centres in Malawi- The NEEP-IE study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 18 (1). 284-. ISSN 1468-6694

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.
[thumbnail of NEEPIE_04052017_nofigs.docx] Text
NEEPIE_04052017_nofigs.docx - Published version
Download (60kB)

Abstract

BackgroundThe Nutrition Embedded Evaluation Programme Impact Evaluation (NEEP-IE) study is a cluster randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the impact of a childcare centre-based integrated nutritional and agricultural intervention on the diets, nutrition and development of young children in Malawi. The intervention includes activities to improve nutritious food production and training/behaviour-change communication to improve food intake, care and hygiene practices. This paper presents the rationale and study design for this randomised control trial.MethodsSixty community-based childcare centres (CBCCs) in rural communities around Zomba district, Malawi, were randomised to either (1) a control group where children were attending CBCCs supported by Save the Children’s Early Childhood Health and Development (ECD) programme, or (2) an intervention group where nutritional and agricultural support activities were provided alongside the routine provision of the Save the Children’s ECD programme. Primary outcomes at child level include dietary intake (measured through 24-h recall), whilst secondary outcomes include child development (Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT)) and nutritional status (anthropometric measurements). At household level, primary outcomes include smallholder farmer production output and crop-mix (recall of last production season). Intermediate outcomes along theorised agricultural and nutritional pathways were measured. During this trial, we will follow a mixed-methods approach and undertake child-, household-, CBCC- and market-level surveys and assessments as well as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with project stakeholders.DiscussionAssessing the simultaneous impact of preschool meals on diets, nutrition, child development and agriculture is a complex undertaking. This study is the first to explicitly examine, from a food systems perspective, the impact of a preschool meals programme on dietary choices, alongside outcomes in the nutritional, child development and agricultural domains. The findings of this evaluation will provide evidence to support policymakers in the scale-up of national programmes.Trial registrationISRCTN registry, ID: ISRCTN96497560. Registered on 21 September 2016.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: 4206 Public Health, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3210 Nutrition and Dietetics, 42 Health Sciences, Behavioral and Social Science, Clinical Research, Pediatric Research Initiative, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, Nutrition, Prevention, 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing, Cardiovascular, Generic health relevance, Metabolic and endocrine, Oral and gastrointestinal, 2 Zero Hunger, 4 Quality Education, Child Development, Child Health, Child Health Services, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Child, Preschool, Community Health Centers, Community Health Services, Crop Production, Crops, Agricultural, Diet, Healthy, Female, Food Supply, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Status, Humans, Malawi, Male, Nutrition Assessment, Nutritional Status, Nutritive Value, Parenting, Parents, Program Evaluation, Research Design, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2017 08:14
Last Modified: 07 Mar 2026 00:52
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-2003-7
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2003-7
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3009196
Disclaimer: The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.
Altmetric
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)