Improving Nutrition in Children Under Two Through Increased Egg Consumption in Burkina Faso

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This project targets vulnerable populations of smallholders, women and children and should lead to increased poultry production, increased egg consumption of children, improved nutrition, and increased household level resilience. This innovative intervention will be the gifting of chickens by religious leaders to children ages 6 to 12 months coupled with integrated nutrition and agricultural trainings.

Detailed Description
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This study involves innovative behavioral change theoretical methodology to empower caregivers as smallholder poultry producers by improving their access to livestock production resources and agricultural extension services, providing tools for improved decision making, and enhancing nutrition based knowledge. Smallholder production is important in eliminating food insecurities and building resilience to improve nutrition in children under 5. Based on the results of the Ethiopian egg project, through messaging and education, this study will foster favorable attitudes and consequent behavioral changes, including increased egg consumption.

Official Title
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Improving Nutrition in Children Under Two Through Increased Egg Consumption in Burkina Faso

Conditions
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Nutrition

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Integrated nutrition and agricultural (INA) trainings
* Behavioral: Ceremonial Gifting of Livestock


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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The study population will be selected with the assistance of the OCADES Caritas Kaya and the CHWs who are actively involved and trusted within the targeted village communities. Inclusion Criteria: Living within the identified areas of the study population Exclusion Criteria: history of egg allergies severe malnutrition

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Months
Maximum Age: 18 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Full Intervention<br>The full intervention group will receive three egg laying chickens that will be presented as a gift to the child by their religious leader (imam or priest) during a gifting ceremony, as well as Integrated nutrition and agricultural (INA) education training sessions. | Behavioral: Integrated nutrition and agricultural (INA) trainings<br>* Monthly INA training session to help increase knowledge about nutrition and chicken husbandry and help to increase resiliency on a household level.<br>Behavioral: Ceremonial Gifting of Livestock<br>* Egg laying chickens will be presented as a gift to the child by a community champion (their religious leader or village chief)) during a gifting ceremony<br>|
| Active Comparator: Education Only<br>The education only intervention group will receive 3 chickens given in manner similar to animal distribution programs and the INA training sessions. | Behavioral: Integrated nutrition and agricultural (INA) trainings<br>* Monthly INA training session to help increase knowledge about nutrition and chicken husbandry and help to increase resiliency on a household level.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>The control group will receive no chickens gifted and no INA training sessions. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Increase egg consumption in children under two living in Kaya, Burkina Faso | Dietary recall survey requesting caregiver/ parental recall of their child's dietary intake over the past week to include egg consumption embedded within the questionnaire The percentage of children consuming eggs will be calculated based on a yes response from the parent.The outcome measure will be described as the percentage of children consuming eggs with in the study population. | Baseline up to 12 months | 
| Increase egg consumption frequency in children under two living in Kaya, Burkina Faso | Dietary recall survey requesting caregiver/ parental recall of their child's dietary intake over the past week to include frequency of eggs given embedded within the questionnaire.The outcome measure will be described as the mean number of eggs consumed in the past week by children enrolled in the study that consume eggs . | Baseline up to 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improve growth in children under two living in Kaya, Burkina Faso. | Anthropometric measurements to include weight in kilograms, height in centimeters of enrolled children. Measurements will be aggregated to calculate z scores based on the child's age calculated in days and the wight and height of the anthropometric measurements. | Baseline up to 12 months |