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Effect of a community‐based child health counselling intervention on health‐seeking behaviours, complementary feeding and nutritional condition among children aged 6–23 months in rural China: A pre‐ and post‐comparison study.

Authors :
Yao, Shiyi
Xiao, Shuyue
Jin, Xi
Xiong, Mei
Peng, Jing
Jian, Lijun
Mei, Yongli
Huang, Yuehua
Zhou, Haiqun
Xu, Tao
Source :
Maternal & Child Nutrition. Jan2022, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p1-8. 8p.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

In China, the prevalence of undernutrition among children under 5 years of age has declined significantly during recent decades. However, noticeable gaps exist between rural and urban areas. Since 2012, a government‐funded nutrition programme, Ying Yang Bao (YYB; soybean powder‐based iron‐rich supplement) programme, has been implemented in poor rural areas to decrease the risk of developing anaemia among children aged 6–23 months, but there are still inadequate health care awareness, feeding knowledge and skills among caregivers. From June 2018 to December 2020, a child health counselling intervention was delivered through a home visit based on the YYB programme in Liangshan. Child health messages were given by trained village child health assistants while distributing YYB. Surveys were conducted before and after the intervention to analyse changes in child health check‐up frequency, complementary feeding practice and prevalence of undernutrition. After the intervention, the proportion of children who had regular health check‐ups, who were vaccinated and who met the minimum YYB consumption significantly increased from 26.0%, 81.6%, and 67.8% to 59.7%, 95.0%, and 79.2%. Increased rates of IYCF indicators (introduction of solid, semisolid, or soft foods, minimum dietary diversity and consumption of iron‐rich or iron‐fortified foods) were observed after the intervention. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting, and anaemia significantly decreased from 26.3% to 10.8%, 13.4% to 8.7%, 14.0% to 10.5%, and 52.1% to 43.9%. This intervention can be well integrated into the YYB programme with less additional resources. Children in resource‐limited areas will benefit more from a comprehensive nutritional package, including food supplements and child health education. Key messages: Current evidence suggests there is a decrease in the prevalence of undernutrition among children under 5 years of age in China during recent decades. However, imbalanced development exists between rural and urban areas.Government‐funded Ying Yang Bao (YYB) programme has been implemented in poor rural areas across China covering over 800 counties, to decrease the risk of developing anaemia among children aged 6–23 months.After a child health counselling intervention jointly implemented with YYB programme, the prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting, and anaemia among children decreased significantly.Child health counselling intervention could be well integrated into the ongoing YYB programme to reach resource‐limited areas on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17408695
Volume :
18
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Maternal & Child Nutrition
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
154314774
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13289