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Abstract Stunting affects almost one‐quarter of children globally, leading to reduced human capacity and increased long‐term risk of chronic disease. Despite intensive infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, many children do not meet their requirements for essential nutrients. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing an IYCF intervention utilizing nutrient‐dense powders from egg, biofortified sugar beans and Moringa oleifera leaf in rural Zimbabwe. A mixed‐methods formative study was conducted comprising the following: (i) a recipe formulation trial, (ii) trials of improved practices to assess acceptability of the intervention, and (iii) a participatory message formulation process to develop counselling modules for the IYCF‐plus intervention. Twenty‐seven mother–baby pairs were recruited between November 2019 and April 2020. Key domains affecting IYCF practices that emerged were time, emotional and physical space, cultural and religious beliefs, indigenous knowledge systems and gender dynamics. Household observations and sensory evaluation indicated high acceptability of the new ingredients. Recipe formulation and participatory message formulation by participants instilled community ownership and served to demystify existing misconceptions about the new food products. Families noted the potential for intervention sustainability because the foods could be grown locally. Supplementing complementary foods with nutrient‐dense local food ingredients as powders has the potential to sustainably address nutrient‐gaps in the diets of young children living in rural lower‐ and middle‐income countries. Comprehensive IYCF counselling utilizing a gender‐lens approach, family support and indigenous knowledge systems or resources are key elements to support positive behaviour change in complementary feeding interventions.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that donor human milk is superior to artificial infant formula in situations where the baby cannot feed on the mother’s breastmilk. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of donor human milk banking among health workers in Zimbabwean urban settings. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 535 health workers and 15 key informants. Three referral hospitals were purposively selected and systematic random sampling was used to select the health workers. The study was conducted between October 2017 and October 2018. Results The concept of donor human milk banking was acceptable among health workers. One-third (31%) of the study participants reported that they would accept donor breastmilk for their children while 56% of them would encourage their clients to donate breastmilk. Acceptance of donor human milk banking was associated with a high level of knowledge on breastmilk banks (p = 0.009) and the study participants’ health profession (p = 0.001). Clinical staff were more receptive to donor human milk banking compared to non-clinical health workers. Donor human milk banking was not associated with religion (p = 0.498) or marital status (p = 0.714). Conclusions The results showed that health workers and policy informers would accept the establishment of breastmilk banks subject to resource availability. Commitment to the establishment of breastmilk banks was moderately acceptable among opinion leaders responsible for spearheading health and nutrition policies.

Stunting affects almost one‐quarter of children globally, leading to reduced human capacity and increased long‐term risk of chronic disease. Despite intensive infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, many children do not meet their requirements for essential nutrients. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing an IYCF intervention utilizing nutrient‐dense powders from egg, biofortified sugar beans and Moringa oleifera leaf in rural Zimbabwe. A mixed‐methods formative study was conducted comprising the following: (i) a recipe formulation trial, (ii) trials of improved practices to assess acceptability of the intervention, and (iii) a participatory message formulation process to develop counselling modules for the IYCF‐plus intervention. Twenty‐seven mother–baby pairs were recruited between November 2019 and April 2020. Key domains affecting IYCF practices that emerged were time, emotional and physical space, cultural and religious beliefs, indigenous knowledge systems and gender dynamics. Household observations and sensory evaluation indicated high acceptability of the new ingredients. Recipe formulation and participatory message formulation by participants instilled community ownership and served to demystify existing misconceptions about the new food products. Families noted the potential for intervention sustainability because the foods could be grown locally. Supplementing complementary foods with nutrient‐dense local food ingredients as powders has the potential to sustainably address nutrient‐gaps in the diets of young children living in rural lower‐ and middle‐income countries. Comprehensive IYCF counselling utilizing a gender‐lens approach, family support and indigenous knowledge systems or resources are key elements to support positive behaviour change in complementary feeding interventions. Key messages: Incorporating locally available solid foods into complementary feeding is a major challenge for caregivers in rural communities. There are several barriers that hinder mothers from feeding nutrient‐dense solid foods such as animal source foods, fruits and vegetables, resulting in nondiversified complementary diets.Formulation of nutrient‐dense, high‐quality protein complementary meals using powdered locally available food supplements is feasible, well tolerated and allows young children to be fed nutrient‐dense complementary meals in rural LMICs.Utilizing traditionally recognized functional foods such as Moringa olifeira encourages the involvement of elderly women/grandmothers in infant and young child feeding, enabling support for mothers.Integrated complementary feeding interventions incorporating behaviour change communication, provision/promotion of specific nutrient‐dense complementary foods (SQ‐LNS and local foods as powdered supplements), family support and agricultural production has potential for success in rural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]