(P18-022-23) Association Between Nutrition Social Behaviour Change Communication and Improved Diet Quality Among Households With Children Under Five in Rural Rwanda

Objectives: Improving Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition/Feeding (MIYCN/F) practices for smallholder rural farming households in Rwanda remains a challenge. Only 18% of children meet the minimal acceptable diet. Behavior change communication methods for nutrition can contribute improvements in MIYCN/F indicators for children under 5 years. We assessed the association between community-level nutrition messaging and counseling on caregiver health and nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Methods: Data from community-based cross-sectional and household, seasonal monitoring survey conducted in eighteen CIP project districts in Rwanda, were used. Indices were developed on practices related to household and young child dietary diversity, and vitamin A intakes. Comparison of means and proportions were assessed with Student’s t-test and chi-square test, respectively, between caregivers attending health and nutrition meetings and non-participants. Impact of participation in nutrition meeting on caregiver nutrition practices was examined using multiple regression analyses controlling for potential caregiver socio-demographic confounders such as maternal age, marital status, education, employment, and household size.

Results: Among 1,306 caregivers surveyed, 74% attended at least one health and nutrition meeting where information on nutrition social behavior change communication was given. Overall, 61% of participating women had a moderate level of improved household diet quality, while only 22% had moderate young child dietary diversity. Participation in nutrition group meetings was significantly associated with household and young child vitamin A intake, and household dietary diversity.

Conclusions: This study revealed that participation in nutrition SBCC by caregivers of young children was positively associated with improved household and young child vitamin A intake, as well as household dietary diversity compared to non-participants. Qualitative research is needed in this context to provide an in-depth understanding of determinants of nutrition practices among caregivers of infants and young children.

Funding Sources: Funding support for this work was provided by USAID and UKAID.