Zinc Supplementation and Nutrition Education Among Children in the Rural Community

University of Douala

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Effects of; Serum

Treatments: Behavioral: Nutrition education of mothers; Drug: Zinc Supplementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04574544

UDouala

Details and patient eligibility

About

Malnutrition among children, especially stunting is a public health problem in Cameroon. This study assesses the impact of zinc supplementation of children and nutrition education of mothers on the nutritional status of the children in the rural community. Dietary surveys, nutritional status, zinc supplementation of children and nutrition education of mothers were carried out. After nutrition education and zinc supplementation, the study showed positive impact of both intervention on the nutritional status of children.

Full description

A questionnaire was developed, tested and adjusted prior the field survey. During the study, the knowledge of mothers on child nutrition, the eating habits of children, the estimated consumption of energy, nutrients of children and food availability on the market during harvesting and sowing seasons were evaluated. Moreover, data on zinc supplementation and nutrition education sessions conducted with mothers of these children were collected. The impact of zinc supplementation and maternal education was evaluated by measuring height/age, weight/age and weight/height indices, and levels of serum albumin, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and phosphorus before and after interventions.

Enrollment: 150 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 59 months old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• To have an age between 6 to 59 months
• To have signature of informed consent by the parents

Exclusion criteria

• To be illnes
• To have severe malnutrition

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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150 participants in 2 patient groups

Zinc supplementation

Experimental group

Description:

The 25 supplemented children had received an oral dose of 10 mg of zinc sulphate per day for 14 days

Treatment:

Drug: Zinc Supplementation

Nutrition education of mothers

Experimental group

Description:

Nutritional information was delivered to each mother to facilitate a change in bad eating habits observed, improve knowledge, attitudes and skills of mothers on child nutrition. The anthropometric and biochemistry parameters of children were taken before and after the maternal nutrition education

Treatment:

Behavioral: Nutrition education of mothers