Description

Abstract: Animal source foods (ASF) intake in young children has been associated with improved dietary quality and growth outcomes. The Enhancing Child Nutrition through Animal Source Food Management (ENAM) project provides Income Generating Activities (IGA), development services, and nutrition and health education to caregivers of two-five year old children in rural Ghana. The objectives of this study was to assess the interventions’ impact on caregivers’ knowledge and ASF intake in their two-five year old children. Longitudinal panel data was collected at baseline and four follow-ups of four- month intervals each from project participant caregivers (n=104) and matched non-participants in intervention communities (n=75) and control communities (n=210) in three ecological zones in Ghana. Analysis involved comparison of means of differences of scores using ANOVA and relationships using Pearson’s correlation(r), and standard multiple regression. The ENAM project’s interventions have significant positive knowledge and nutrition outcomes on participants; however there has not been significant diffusion to populations not directly involved with the ENAM project. The benefits of the approach can be multiplied by including cost-effective strategies to enhance diffusion. Examples of such strategies are peer education and partnerships with the private sector.