Clinical Trial: Effect of Behavior Change Communication About Improved Micronutrient Intake on Nutritional Status and Academic Performance of School Age Children in Meskan District, Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title:

Brief Summary:

A cluster randomized controlled trial was chosen to exploit the robustness of this design to help ascertain the efficacy of the BCC intervention compared to the routine dietary practice. This protocol was developed according to the guidelines of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement extension for cluster randomized trials.

The present study is aims to evaluate the effect of improving micronutrient intake through behavior change communication intervention on nutritional status and academic performance of school age children. Moreover, it may help to prevent or mitigate malnutrition. However to the best knowledge of the authors, BCC intervention using posters, and lecture for school teachers and students have not yet been empirically tested generally in Ethiopia, specifically in the study area context. The present intervention is unique in combining the use of conventional BCC intervention tools, that is, lecture and posters as reminder for intervention reinforcement.


Detailed Summary:

Background: School age children (SAC) are vulnerable to malnutrition which can have adverse effects on their academic performance at school. Micronutrient deficiency affects as many as two billion people in the world. About 250 million people out of this suffer from deficiencies of iron, vitamin A, zinc and iodine are children. Malnutrition or micronutrient deficiencies lead to lower enrolment and completion rates. A nutrition behavior change strategy provides individuals with the necessary resources, knowledge, skills, motivation and reinforcement needed to encourage positive change in health behavior. So far, there are no any studies in the context of the study area in particular and in the country in general on the effect of behavior change communication (BCC) on improving the nutritional status, micronutrient intake and academic performance of school age children.

Objective: The aim of this study protocol is to evaluate the effects of the behavior change communication (BCC) on nutritional status and academic performance of school age children in South Ethiopia. The hypotheses are that the children in the intervention arm will increase their academic performance and improve their nutritional status and micronutrient intake more than the children in the control arm.

Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial will be carried out to achieve the above mentioned objectives, so that the findings will be used as an input for policies and strategies that will be designed to mitigate the problem. A twelve-month cluster randomized control trial will be conducted in 8 schools of 370 students with ten to fifteen years old. The school intervention will be included BCC for students and science teachers on essential nutrition and hygiene actions (ENHAs) will be provided by background of Health education with Nutritionist. Demograp
Sponsor: Jimma University

Current Primary Outcome: Linear growth as assessed by mean change in height for age z score [ Time Frame: at 6 months (mid line) and at 12 months (end line) of the intervention ]

The primary outcome of the study will be linear growth (stunting) as assessed by mean change in height for age z score at 10-15 years of age.


Original Primary Outcome: Stunting [ Time Frame: at 6 months (mid line) and at 12 months (end line) of the intervention ]

The primary outcome of the study will be linear growth as assessed by mean change in height for age z score at 10-15 years of age.


Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Jimma University

Dates:
Date Received: October 28, 2016
Date Started: October 2016
Date Completion: April 2017
Last Updated: November 10, 2016
Last Verified: November 2016