Original Articles
The Impact of Community-Based Nutritional Intervention on Micronutrient Status and Developmental Outcomes in Children Aged 6-24 Months in Rural Regions | |
Dr. Palak Gelot, Dr. Priyanka Jindal, Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Aqib | |
Background: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a significant public health challenge in rural regions worldwide, particularly affecting children during critical developmental periods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-month community-based nutritional intervention program on micronutrient status and developmental outcomes in children aged 6-24 months in three rural districts. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 156 children (intervention group: n=78; control group: n=78) in rural communities. The intervention comprised multiple components: (1) provision of micronutrient-fortified complementary foods, (2) nutrition education for caregivers, (3) cooking demonstrations, and (4) home visits by community health workers. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators of micronutrient status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, zinc, and vitamin A), and developmental outcomes using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III were assessed at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in hemoglobin levels (+1.2 g/dL, p<0.001), serum ferritin (+15.8 μg/L, p<0.001), serum zinc (+15.4 μg/dL, p<0.01), and serum retinol (+8.7 μg/dL, p<0.01) compared to the control group. Stunting prevalence decreased by 21.8% in the intervention group compared to 5.1% in the control group (p<0.001). Significant improvements were observed in cognitive (mean difference: +8.4 points, p<0.001), language (+7.2 points, p<0.001), and motor development scores (+6.9 points, p<0.001) in the intervention group relative to controls. Maternal knowledge of optimal infant feeding practices increased substantially in the intervention group (mean difference: +42.3%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The integrated community-based nutritional intervention effectively improved micronutrient status, reduced stunting, and enhanced developmental outcomes among children in rural communities. The multi-component approach addressing both immediate nutritional needs and underlying knowledge gaps demonstrates a promising strategy for tackling early childhood undernutrition in resource-limited settings. |
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