Evaluation Nutrition Education Intervention on Pulse and Cereal Mix for Complementary Food in Southern Ethiopia

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Intervention Among Rural Mothers on Pulse and Cereal Mix Complementary Food and Nutritional Status of Children Age 6-24 Months in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The overall purpose of the study is to evaluate nutrition education interventions to promote pulse incorporated complementary food to the wider rural community through the government system to improve maternal knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and nutritional status of young children (6 to 24 months). The hypothesis is that nutrition education improves mothers knowledge, attitude and practice of pulse incorporated complementary food and improves dietary intake of iron and zinc and nutritional status of young children.

Only 9% of the population in Southern Ethiopia consumes pulse and pulse total contribution of the diet is less than 4.9% for women and less than 3.3% for children.Young children are at risk of developing malnutrition because of dietary inadequacy. Educational interventions can improve feeding practices and growth of young children. The overall purpose of the study is to evaluate nutrition education interventions to promote pulse incorporated complementary food to the wider rural community through the government system to improve maternal knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and nutritional status of young children (6 to 24 months). The hypothesis is that nutrition education improves mothers knowledge, attitude and practice of pulse incorporated complementary food and improves dietary intake of iron and zinc and nutritional status of young children. Before, at midline and end of the intervention we will assess the KAP of mothers, dietary intake of iron and zinc and nutritional status of young children. The nutrition education intervention will be given for 9 months. Serum ferritin, serum zinc, C-Reactive protein and hemoglobin and dietary intake of iron and zinc of young children will be measured at the beginning and ending of the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 6-15 months
• Apparently healthy
• Being breastfed at time of recruitment
• The mothers are permanent residents of the kebele

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infant undergoing treatment with supplemental foods for malnutrition