Improving Infant Nutrition in Southern Ethiopia
Improving Infant Nutrition in Southern Ethiopia
This cluster randomized controlled trial will test the effect of the promotion of vitamin
 A-rich orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) production and nutrition education on vitamin A and
 energy intake, including any added value of the Healthy Baby Toolkit.
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)