Improving Infant Nutrition in Southern Ethiopia

Child stunting and vitamin A deficiency are persistent public health problems in Ethiopia.

Quality Diets for Better Health (QDBH) is a European Union-funded project led by the
International Potato Center (CIP), in partnership with People in Need (PIN), Emory University
and with support of governmental organizations and local universities. The 54 month-project
strives to improve diet quality, primarily of women and young children, through the promotion
of vitamin A-rich orange flesh sweetpotato (OFSP) production and nutrition education in 41
kebeles (communities) in SNNPR, reaching an estimated 15000 households. In addition,
households in a subset of communities will receive a Healthy Baby Toolkit, consisting of a
marked bowl, slotted spoon, and illustrated counseling card. The Healthy Baby Toolkit is
designed to promote optimal complementary feeding practices of infants and young children 6
to 23 months, namely meal volume, meal frequency, and meal thickness.

As part of this project, Emory University will conduct a longitudinal, cluster randomized
controlled trial in 20 kebeles to test the effect of the project on vitamin A and energy
intake, including any added value of the Healthy Baby Toolkit.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in a Healthy Living Club (only a criteria for those in partial or full
intervention arms)

2. Infant aged birth to 5 months

3. Primary caregiver and head of household (if different from primary caregiver)
available and provides consent for survey

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Serious health problem (for example, HIV/AIDS or congenital defect)