Effectiveness of a Ready-to-Use-Food (RUF) Supplement to Prevent Acute Child Malnutrition

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of a Ready-to-Use-Food (RUF) Supplement to Prevent Acute Malnutrition in Children Between 6-36 Months in Urban Chad

The overall objective of this project is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of RUF (ready-to-Use Food, Plumpy Doz(r)) to prevent moderate acute malnutrition in children aged 6-36 months if embedded in a program of conditional household food assistance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• WH≥80% of median of NCHS reference without bilateral pitting oedema;
• Age ≥ 6 months and ≤36 months;
• Member of a household with a dependency ratio >4;
• Not planning to leave the study zone for the coming 5 months;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not showing appetite;
• Age < 6 months or age > 36 months
• Weight-for-Height Z-score <-2 and/or the presence of bilateral pitting oedema in children 6-36 months;
• Member of a household with a dependency ration ≤ 4;
• Clinical complications
• Presence of chronic illness, cardiac disease, congenital abnormalities, cancer;
• Being allergic to one of the ingredients of the RUF.