Diffusion of a micronutrient home fortification program for infants and toddlers in a multi-ethnic population in rural western China.

BACKGROUND: The micronutrient home fortification programs contribute to the prevention of childhood anemia. WHO suggested applying culturally appropriate strategies to implement the micronutrient home fortification programs in various communities. However, there is little knowledge on evidence-based effective diffusion strategies of the micronutrient home fortification programs in multi-ethnic populations. This study aims to examine the diffusion of a micronutrient home fortification program with micronutrient powder (MNP) in a multi-ethnic population by investigating factors associated with being an 'early' or a 'later' adopter of MNP. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in rural western China. Multistage sampling was used to select children's caregivers in Han, Tibetan, and Yi ethnic communities (N = 570). The diffusion of innovations theory informed the data collection on caregivers' decision process and was applied to classify participants into the MNP adopter categories of 'leaders', 'followers', 'loungers', and 'laggards'. The ordered logistic regression model estimated the factors associated with the MNP adopter categories. RESULTS: Caregivers from the Yi ethnic subgroup were likely to adopt MNP relatively late (AOR = 1.67; 95%CI = 1.09, 2.54) compared with Han and Tibetan ethnic subgroups. Caregivers with more knowledge regarding the MNP feeding method (AOR = 0.71; 95%CI = 0.52, 0.97) and those with stronger self-efficacy in adopting MNP (AOR = 0.85; 95%CI = 0.76, 0.96) were more likely to adopt MNP earlier than others. The following messages and channels also tend to make caregivers adopt MNP earlier: hearing that 'MNP was free' from villagers (AOR = 0.45; 95%CI = 0.20, 0.98), and learning 'MNP feeding method' from township doctors (AOR = 0.16; 95%CI = 0.06, 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in adopting MNP existing among different ethnic groups require more effective diffusion strategies in disadvantaged minority ethnic groups. Enhancing self-efficacy in adopting MNP and knowledge on feeding method of MNP have the potential to make caregivers adopt MNP earlier. Peer networks and township doctors can be effective agencies to facilitate the diffusion and adoption of MNP.

The association between micronutrient powder delivery patterns and caregiver feeding behaviors in rural China.

BACKGROUND: High adherence and proper usage of micronutrient powder (MNP) influence child nutritional outcomes, yet few studies explore the role of delivery patterns. This study explores the association between MNP delivery patterns and MNP feeding behaviors among Han and minority caregivers in rural Western China. METHODS: In August 2019, a total of 1021 caregiver-child pairs were selected through a four-stage cluster sampling process. A cross-sectional survey collected information on caregiver demographics, MNP delivery patterns (channel and frequency), and MNP feeding behaviors (proper usage and adherence). Using logistic regression, we examined which delivery channels and delivery frequencies were associated with proper usage and high adherence. RESULTS: The results indicated that minority caregivers had lower levels of proper MNP usage than did Han caregivers (89.2%), with Tibetan caregivers' reporting the lowest rates of adherence (32.6%). Logistic regression revealed that that township-based channel was significantly correlated with proper usage among Tibetan and Yi caregivers (Odds Ratio, OR = 2.0, p < 0.01; and OR = 3.5, p < 0.001). Overall, the township-based and home-visit channels were significantly correlated with high adherence (OR = 1.7 and OR = 2.3, respectively; p < 0.001); delivery frequency was significantly correlated with high adherence (2 months: OR = 2.2, p < 0.001 and ≤ 1 month: OR = 3.5, p < 0.001) but not correlated with proper usage among the whole sample and individual ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the study finds evidence of a correlation between MNP delivery channel and both proper usage and high adherence as well as a correlation between MNP delivery frequency and high adherence.

High adherence and its influencing factors on multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs).

Adherence to home fortification of foods with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) is an essential indicator of effective implementation of MNP programmes. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the high adherence rate (HAR) to MNPs and further investigate the factors that influence HAR. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE (OVID), Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and VP, from the date of database inception to 9 November 2020. We included peer-reviewed observational studies that investigated adherence to MNPs. Data on the HAR to MNPs and influencing factors on HAR were extracted and then pooled together. A total of 10 studies were included. The pooled HAR to MNPs was 63.28% (51.12%-74.64%). Among HARs, rates were higher in middle-income countries (65.21%) than low-income countries (55.23%). Parental age over 30 years (maternal age OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08-1.44; paternal age OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.32), children aged 18-36 months (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12-1.88), maternal educational attainment of college or above (OR = 1.38, 95% CI:1.10-1.73), caregiver with the perception that other mothers use MNPs (OR = 1.52, 95% CI:1.19-1.95), caregiver being aware of the importance of iron (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.18-1.71), caregiver having correct knowledge of MNPs (OR = 1.36, 95% CI:1.19-1.57) and caregiver reporting children have no side effects from MNPs (OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 2.46-3.11) were contributing factors to high adherence to MNPs. The overall HAR to MNPs was relatively low; hence, effective and trusted communication channels need to be established, along with more thorough dissemination of the knowledge of MNPs to caregivers, to improve MNPs adherence rates, especially in low-income countries.

[Study on the Relationship between First-Time Complementary Feeding Practice and the Nutritional Status of Infants and Young Children in the Multi-Ethnic Rural Areas of Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current status of first food supplement and the nutrition of infants and young children in rural areas inhabited by people of Han, Tibetan, and Yi ethnicities in Sichuan Province, and to explore the relationship between the first ever feeding of food supplement and the nutritional status. METHODS: Using a multi-stage randomized cluster sampling method, we selected 2 Han counties, 2 Tibetan counties and 2 Yi counties in rural areas of Sichuan Province. These counties were previously defined as economically poor counties, but had since been lifted out of poverty. They were selected for this study before they came out of poverty. Infants and young children of 12-24 months old and their main caregivers from these counties were the subjects of the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information concerning the sociodemographic characteristics of infants and young children and their caregivers, and the first complementary feeding for infants and young children. Infant and young children weight scales and length/height tapes were used to collect the weight and length/height data of infants and young children. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between the behavior of giving supplementary food for the first time to infants and young children and their nutritional status. RESULTS: A total of 1117 pairs of infants and children and their caregivers were investigated. Regarding the time of first supplementary food addition, nearly half of the caregivers in Han areas started adding supplementary food when the infants were 6 months old, accounting for 43.07% (171/397). Most of the caregivers in Yi and Tibetan areas started giving infants and young children supplementary food when they were less than 6 months old, accounting for 77.18% (301/390) and 47.58% (157/330), respectively. In terms of the types of supplementary food added for the first time, caregivers in Han areas mainly used homemade rice cereal, accounting for 41.56% (165/397), caregivers in Tibetan areas mainly used meat, vegetables or fruits and other complementary foods, accounting for 42.12% (139/330), and caregivers in Yi areas mainly used homemade rice cereal, accounting for 46.41% (181/390). The overall malnutrition rate of infants and young children was 28.83% (322/1117) and the malnutrition rate of infants and young children in Han, Tibetan, and Yi areas were 10.58% (42/397), 24.85 (82/330), and 50.77 (198/390), respectively. The regression analysis results show that after controlling for confounding factors, compared with Han areas, it is more likely for infants and young children in Yi areas to be malnourished ( OR=9.49, 95% CI 6.00-15.00). Compared with adding other types of complementary foods for the first time, infants and young children given iron-fortified rice cereal had a lower risk of malnutrition ( OR=0.54, 95% CI0.29-0.99). CONCLUSION: The multi-ethnic rural areas of Sichuan Province had problems that supplementary foods are added too early, and that the types of supplementary foods added for the first time were not appropriate. In addition, the nutritional status of local infants and young children in these areas was causing concerns. The malnutrition problem of infants and young children was especially prominent in the Yi ethnic areas. Adding iron-fortified rice cereal for the first time could reduce the possibility of malnutrition in infants and young children to a certain extent. It is recommended that attention should be given to the health education intervention of the first supplementary food for infants and young children to effectively improve the nutritional status of infants and young children in these areas.