Effect of a Child-Owned Poultry Intervention Providing Eggs on Nutrition Status and Motor Skills of Young Children in Southern Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized and Controlled Community Trial

Abstract

Eggs are highly nutritious foods, yet intake by children in Ethiopia is low. We hypothesized that a nutrition-sensitive poultry intervention improves nutritional status of children 6–18 months using a 6-month cluster randomized controlled community trial. Intervention group (IG) children received a gift of two egg-laying hens in a ceremony where children’s ownership of the chickens was declared by community leaders. Parents promised to add more hens and feed the owner-child one-egg-a-day. Trained community workers reinforced egg feeding, environmental sanitation and poultry husbandry. Control group (CG) mothers received usual nutrition education on child feeding. At baseline 29.6% of children were stunted, 19.4% underweight and 8.6% wasted. Egg consumption significantly increased only in IG, at 6 months. The intervention increased weight-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores by 0.38 (95% CI = 0.13–0.63) and 0.43 (95% CI = 0.21–0.64), respectively. Binary logit model indicated IG children were 54% (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.26–0.84) and 42% (OR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.37–0.91) less likely to be underweight and stunted, respectively, compared to CG. IG children attained the milestone of running (p = 0.022; AHR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.05–1.95), kicking a ball (p = 0.027; AHR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.04–1.87) and throwing a ball (p = 0.045; AHR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.01–1.86) earlier than CG. This nutrition-sensitive child-owned poultry approach should be implemented where animal-source food intake is low.

Child-Owned Poultry Intervention Effects on Hemoglobin, Anemia, Concurrent Anemia and Stunting, and Morbidity Status of Young Children in Southern Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Community Trial

“…The intervention effect on hemoglobin and anemia status was the primary outcome of this study, while morbidity status was measured as a secondary outcome. Effects on child-owned poultry production, egg intake, anthropometry, and gross motor skills development were reported previously [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Except for child sex (X 2 = 8.77; p = 0.003), socio-economic and demographic characteristics including poultry production and husbandry, infant and young child feeding practices and maternal characteristics were not significantly different among the study groups ( Table 1 ). Detailed information has been previously published [ 28 ]. Groups were also comparable at enrollment by their nutritional, malaria, intestinal helminthiasis, total anemia, and morbidity status.…”

“…Poultry husbandry was improved, and egg intake was increased in the intervention group (mean weekly egg intake 4.85 vs. 0.4; p < 0.001) [ 27 ]. In addition, at six months, underweight and stunting reduced; weight for age and weight for height z-scores increased and motor skills (running, kicking ball, and throwing ball milestones) were attained at an earlier age significantly compared to the control group [ 28 ].…”

Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Environmental Factors Influencing Health Benefits

“…Egg consumption is extremely low (17%) in Ethiopia due to economic and other factors, with most diets consisting primarily of cereals and lacking in fruits, veggies, and foods derived from animals. The goal of Omer et al’s research [ 1 ] was to determine whether encouraging egg consumption and good poultry husbandry through a child-owned poultry-nutrition intervention would have a beneficial impact on outcomes for growth and development.…”

“…In particular, in rural areas, backyard poultry can play a significant role in boosting eggs consumption and thereby help to improve the health and nutritional state of infants and young children. This model of nutrition-sensitive poultry intervention, especially in environments where animal source food intake is low, offers a viable option to treat malnutrition due to its potential for sustainability and results in bettering child growth and development [ 1 ].…”