Nutritional training in a humanitarian context: Evidence from a cluster randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Development Economics

Background:

• Behavioral change communication (BCC) interventions are effective for infant nutrition.
• Evidence on BCC in humanitarian contexts is limited.
• The Yemen Cash for Nutrition programme aimed to improve child nutritional status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Yemen Cash for Nutrition programme on infant and young child nutrition knowledge and practices.
• To assess the effectiveness of cash transfers combined with nutrition education in a humanitarian setting.

Main Methods:

• Cluster randomized control trial involving 1,945 women in 190 clusters.
• Intervention: cash transfers and monthly group nutrition education sessions.
• Data collected via self-reports on breastfeeding, water treatment, and knowledge.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in breastfeeding initiation (15.6% points) and exclusive breastfeeding (14.4% points).
• Increased household water treatment for adults (16.7% points) and children under two (10.3% points).
• Impacts on knowledge and breastfeeding were consistent across literate and illiterate women; water treatment was higher for literate women.

Conclusions:

• The Cash for Nutrition programme effectively improved crucial infant nutrition and water safety practices in a humanitarian context.
• Combined cash transfers and nutrition education are a viable strategy for enhancing maternal and child health knowledge and behaviors.
• Findings highlight the importance of context-specific interventions in humanitarian responses.