Care groups in an integrated nutrition education intervention improved infant growth among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda's West Nile post-emergency settlements: A cluster randomized trial.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a peer-led integrated nutrition education intervention with maternal social support using Care Groups on infant growth among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

Methods: A community-based cluster-randomized trial (RCT) was conducted among 390 pregnant women (third trimester). Two intervention study arms were Mothers-only(n = 131) and Parents-combined (n = 142) with a Control (n = 117).

Home stimulation, development, and nutritional status of children under 2 years of age in the highlands of Madagascar.

Background: The Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar has a high burden of child undernutrition which, in addition to poor psychosocial stimulation, is a strong risk factor of poor child development. However, there are limited studies evaluating the relations between developmental deficits, child nutrition outcomes, and home stimulation in the region. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of children aged 11-13 months in relation to their nutritional status and to examine parental home stimulation attitudes and practices in the Vakinankaratra region.

Does Raising Livestock Improve Household Food Security and Child Dietary Diversity in a Rural Region of Madagascar?

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries and has an alarming prevalence of food insecurity and child undernutrition. Most of the Malagasy population live from agricultural activities making livestock a livelihood asset and a source of animal-source foods, especially for smallholder farmers. This study aimed to examine the association between livestock ownership, household food security, and children's dietary diversity in a rural region of Madagascar.

A Peer-Led Integrated Nutrition Education Intervention through Care Groups Improved Complementary Feeding of Infants in Postemergency Settlements in the West-Nile Region in Uganda: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Background: Complementary feeding of infants in refugee settlements remains inadequate. Furthermore, there has been limited evaluation of interventions addressing these nutrition challenges.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a peer-led integrated nutrition education intervention on infant complementary feeding by South Sudanese refugee mothers in the West-Nile region in Uganda.

Breastfeeding among South Sudanese refugees in protracted settlements in Adjumani district, Uganda: facilitators and barriers.

Background: Evidence suggests that forced migration and refugee status may adversely impact mothers' breastfeeding choices. Furthermore, suboptimal breastfeeding practices have been reported among vulnerable populations including those living in refugee settlements. Therefore, this study investigated the barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding in protracted settlements in Adjumani district, in the West Nile region in Uganda.

The associations between women's empowerment measures, child growth and dietary diversity: Findings from an analysis of demographic and health surveys of seven countries in Eastern Africa.

Evidence on the efficacy of women's empowerment to improve child growth and minimum dietary diversity (MDD) in the Eastern Africa (EA) region is limited. This cross-sectional study used recent Demographic and Health Survey data of mother-child dyads from seven countries in EA to examine the associations between women's empowerment measures, child growth and MDD. Length-for-age z-scores, weight-for-length z-scores and weight-for-age z-scores were used to categorize growth indicators of 6-23 months old children.

Fathers' involvement in child care activities: Qualitative findings from the highlands of Madagascar.

Few studies have investigated fathers' roles in child care in Madagascar. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding fathers' involvement in child care using qualitative methods. Ten focus group discussions were conducted among parents of children aged 6-23 months; seven were among mothers, and three among fathers.

Maternal experience of intimate partner violence is associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia: insights from a DHS analysis.

Background: Despite widespread suboptimal breastfeeding practices and maternal experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), the association of IPV and breastfeeding practices remains unclear. This study investigated the associations between maternal experience of physical, sexual, emotional violence, and controlling behaviors with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Methods: Data included mother-infant dyads from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys for Malawi (n = 1878), Tanzania (n = 3184), and Zambia (n = 3879).

Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Complementary Feeding and Child Undernutrition in the Vakinankaratra Region of Madagascar: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Data are limited on how feeding knowledge and practices relate to child undernutrition in the highlands of Madagascar.

Objectives: This study assessed maternal knowledge and practices of complementary feeding and their associations with anthropometrics of children aged 6-23 mo in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar.

Methods: Knowledge was assessed using WHO recommendations on child feeding, and WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were used to evaluate feeding practices.

The WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Indicators for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene and Their Association with Linear Growth in Children 6 to 23 Months in East Africa.

The slow decrease in child stunting rates in East Africa warrants further research to identify the influence of contributing factors such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This study investigated the association between child length and WASH conditions using the recently revised WHO and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) indicators. Data from households with infants and young children aged 6-23 months from the Demographic and Health Surveys in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia were used.

Maternal determinants of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding and their association with child undernutrition in Malawi (2015-2016).

Background: Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are critical to prevent child undernutrition. Despite the occurrence of child undernutrition and widespread suboptimal feeding practices in Malawi, the association of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and undernutrition among Malawian children remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the current breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, to identify maternal determinants of each practice, and to analyze the associations between breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with stunting, underweight, and wasting.

Situation and determinants of the infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators in Madagascar: analysis of the 2009 Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: Studies evaluating child feeding in Madagascar are scarce despite its importance in child growth during the first two years of life. This study assessed the associations between the WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and stunting and identified determinants of inappropriate child feeding practices.

Methods: The most recent Demographic and Health Survey was used including a total of 1956 infants aged 0-23 months.

Determinants of stunting in children under 5 years in Madagascar.

Madagascar is among countries where the prevalence of stunting is dramatically high in under 5 years old children. This study investigated the determinants of child stunting based on the UNICEF framework on the causes of malnutrition. A cutoff at 24 months was used to separate the child population into two groups.