Text messages to improve young child diets: Results from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Kanchanpur, Nepal.

The objective of this study was to test whether adding a text message campaign about the importance of eating eggs and other nutrition-related behaviours to an on-going package of large-scale, diverse social and behaviour change interventions would improve four types of nutrition-related knowledge and behaviour outcomes: child diets (egg consumption as the primary outcome), maternal diets, maternal nutrition knowledge, and maternal participation in additional interventions. The cluster-randomized controlled trial involved a repeat cross-sectional design, recruiting families with children 12-23 months of age at baseline and endline in one plains district of Nepal. Throughout the 1000-day period, 51 text messages were sent to each household at specific time points to reinforce ideal diets and other nutrition-related practices and promote engagement with community health workers and other intervention platforms.

Adherence and acceptability of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy: Study protocol for a cluster-randomized non-inferiority trial in Cambodia.

Background: Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements are currently provided to Cambodian women during pregnancy. However, recent research has found benefits of a multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) over just IFA alone on several outcomes of perinatal and infant health. The Ministry of Health in Cambodia has proposed a transition from IFA to MMS but to effectively guide this transition requires implementation research on the acceptability and adherence to MMS (over IFA).

Text messages to improve child diets: Formative research findings and protocol of a randomised controlled trial in Nepal.

Given the role of malnutrition in childhood morbidity and mortality, the prioritisation of maternal and child nutrition programmes has grown significantly in the 21st century. Policies and programmes aim to improve infant and young child feeding, but questions persist about the most effective combination of interventions to achieve desired behaviour change. There is increasing interest in mobile-based interventions globally, but scant evidence exists to guide donors, policymakers and programme implementers on their effectiveness.

Sustaining Agriculture and Nutrition Interventions: Continued Engagement of Village Model Farmers in Nepal.

Background: In homestead food production (HFP) programs, village model farmers (VMFs), after training, implement agriculture and nutrition activities to improve household knowledge and practices. Little evidence exists on what enables VMFs to remain actively engaged and for impacts to be sustained.

Objective: To examine variables explaining active engagement of VMFs, at least 4 years post-training, in an HFP program in Nepal.

Nourishing Hope? Changes in Malnutrition and Changes in Girls' Aspirations-Evidence From the Suaahara II Adolescent Girls Panel in Nepal.

Purpose: Malnutrition is a pressing public health challenge in South Asia with adverse consequences for adolescent girls' well-being and, potentially, aspirations as drivers of developmental progress. This study aimed to investigate associations between changes in malnutrition and changes in girls' aspirations in key life domains.

Methods: We analyzed two-period panel data from the Suaahara II Adolescent Girls Panel (10-19 years) in Nepal (2018-2019, n = 613).

Self-reported psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal: findings from an online survey.

Background: A lower respiratory tract infection caused by novel coronavirus termed as Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was first identified in China and subsequently took the form of pandemic. Studies on disease outbreak in the past and recent COVID-19 outbreak have demonstrated increased psychological distress and adverse impacts on mental health and psychological wellbeing of people. However, the impact of COVID-19 on psychological wellbeing of people in Nepal hasn't been studied adequately.