Impact of promotion of mango and liver as sources of vitamin A for young children: a pilot study in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a behaviour change approach, with or without financial support, in improving vitamin A (VA) intake and serum retinol concentration through mango and liver consumption by children. Design: A parallel design (no control area) was used to assess changes in VA intake and serum retinol over a 15-week period. Setting and subjects: A pilot study was implemented in the Department of Kokologho, a rural area in central west Burkina Faso. One hundred and fifty children aged 2-3 years were randomly selected and assigned to two treatment groups: PA$$ (promotional activities and financial support) and PA (promotional activities). Results: The intervention significantly increased (P , 0.001) total VA intake by 56% in PA$$ and by 50% in PA. VA intake from liver increased significantly (P , 0.001) from 12.7^23.5 to 155.3^56.3 mg retinol activity equivalents (RAE) in PA$$ and from 21.6^29.7 to 135.3^44.9 mg RAE in PA. Changes in VA intake from liver were significantly higher (P ¼ 0.004) in PA$$ compared with PA. Mean serum retinol concentration increased significantly by 26% (P , 0.001) in PA$$ and 30% (P , 0.001) in PA. Changes in serum retinol concentration (0.13 mmol l 21 in PA$$ vs. 0.17 mmol l 21 and in PA) did not differ significantly (P ¼ 0.455) between groups over the intervention. Conclusion: Promotional activities on mango and liver intake effectively increased VA intake and serum retinol concentrations. Although an additional beneficial effect of financial support on liver intake was observed, this did not translate into a further increase in serum retinol concentration.

Effect of Moringa Leaves Powder Consumption on Young Children Nutritional and Serum Retinol Status in Burkina Faso Rural Area

“…These results corroborates previous studies [2,23]. It could probably be explained by the duration of the intervention and the poorly controlled feeding of children in both groups.…”

“…There were very high levels of VA deficiency among preschool children up to 56.8% and 53.8% in control Group and treatment group respectively, which is a major public health concern. VA inadequacy levels much higher than the 36.2% low serum concentration reported by Nana in preschool children in rural Burkina Faso [23].…”

Using Agriculture to Improve Child Health: Promoting Orange Sweet Potatoes Reduces Diarrhea

“…For example, Nana, Brouwer, Zagré, Kok, and Traoré (2006) found that promotion of mango and liver consumption increased VA intakes and serum retinol levels among children in Burkina Faso and Low et al (2007) found that promoting orange sweet potatoes had similar effects in Mozambique. This work moves beyond the traditionally examined outcomes of intake, nutritional status, and growth to examine whether diet-based interventions have the potential to improve child health as measured by morbidity.…”

Nutritional and Clinical Rehabilitation of Severely Malnourished Children with <i>Moringa oleifera Lam</i>. Leaf Powder in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

“…In Burkina Faso, malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies are two of the biggest constraints to achieve the millennium development goals. These two problems are widespread and constitute a serious public health problem [3]. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables, which bring good micronutrients and phytochimic compound for health, can be beneficial in the fight against malnutrition and obesity [4].…”