Establishing Dietary intake Behavior of children to prevent iron deficiency to sustain their growth, Oromiya region, Ethiopia: Community Cluster trial

Abstract

Abstract Background: Distressing iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in young children requires an appropriate prevention strategy. This study aimed to determine how dietary intake behavior change (DIBC) could improve the effects of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration on children's growth from 6 to 59 months of age. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted. The intervention and control groups were randomly assigned to the 16 lower community units (LCU). Children paired with their mothers were chosen from each LCU. At the starting point and finish line, Hb, anthropomorphic, and other variable data were collected. A t-test was used to analyze the mean variations. We determined significant parameters using a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE). Results: Approximately 1012 and 935 children were enrolled at the start and end of the study, respectively. At baseline, the mean Hb was 128.4 g/L + 15.6, and at the end, it was 141.3 g/L + 42.5. In contrast, in the control group, the incidence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was 15.2% (n = 77) at baseline. In the intervention group, IDA was 107 (21.1%) at baseline and 18 (3.6%) at the end line. At the time of completion, stunted growth in the intervention group decreased to 65 (12.8%) and climbed to 237 (55.2%) in the control group. Hb Mean differences between the groups in the baseline - end-line difference by height was 27.5g/L, p = 0.001. Children who were allocated to the intervention group by 12.6 cm (p = 0.001) in a month rated their height among the many tested parameters Conclusions: Higher IDA and a very high prevalence of stunted growth were observed in both groups of children, but at the end line was radically reduced to low among the intervention group. Implementing healthy eating habits and dietary intake practices could essentially be improved among interventions, while the control group continued to experience negative effects. As a result, this type of intervention is more likely to have a widespread impact on the physical and nutritional well-being of children. Clinical trial registration numbers: NCT04846062, Date: 15/04/2021