Feasibility and Effectiveness of Distributing Micronutrient Sprinkles to Reduce Prevalence of Anemia

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Collaborators:
Cornell University
World Vision
MicroNutrient Initiative
Information provided by:
International Food Policy Research Institute
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00210405
First received: September 13, 2005
Last updated: August 29, 2012
Last verified: August 2012

September 13, 2005
August 29, 2012
March 2005
September 2005   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Prevalence of anemia after 2 months of treatment
Same as current
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00210405 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
Prevalence of symptoms of morbidity at 1 and 2 months after treatment begins
Same as current
Not Provided
Not Provided
 
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Distributing Micronutrient Sprinkles to Reduce Prevalence of Anemia
Assessing the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Distributing Micronutrient Sprinkles Within a Title II Food Aid and Maternal and Child Health Program in Rural Haiti

The objective of this study is to test the feasibility and effectiveness of distributing micronutrient sprinkles to 6-20 month old children participating in an integrated maternal and child health and nutrition program in rural Haiti. The micronutrient sprinkles have been formulated to prevent or treat anemia in 6-23 month old children. Effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of anemia will be assessed.

Anemia is highly prevalent among infants and young children in Haiti and throughout the world. Low intakes of several micronutrients contribute to this problem. It is very difficult to meet the micronutrient needs of infants and young children without substantial amounts of animal-source foods; such foods are not affordable for most families in many poor communities.

Micronutrient sprinkles are a novel approach to meeting children's needs. The sprinkles are packed in sachets containing a daily ration, and are intended to be used in the home and "sprinkled" directly on the children's food. Earlier trials have shown the efficacy of the sprinkles for preventing and treating anemia under controlled conditions.

The current study tests the feasibility and effectiveness when sprinkles are distributed in the programmatic context of a US Title II food aid distribution program, a context that is common in many countries that receive assistance from the United States Agency for International Development and other donors. The study also includes the development and dissemination of educational messages to motivate and enable caregivers to use the sprinkles properly. Based on previous efficacy trials no side-effects are anticipated, but the study also monitors for unanticipated side-effects.

Comparison: Since effectiveness of the sprinkles distributed as part of a take-home ration has not been established, this study employed a randomized controlled design. Randomization occurred at the level of the food distribution point (place where community members gather to receive food rations). Groups were assigned to receive either the take home ration (usual program practice) or the take home ration and the sprinkles. Families receiving only food rations at the control sites will receive sprinkles along with their food ration immediately after data collection is complete. The design was also consistent with the program necessity of a gradual roll-out of this new intervention. The prevalence of anemia among target-age children will be compared between groups that receive a two-month supply of micronutrient sprinkles with their take-home food ration, and those that do not.

Interventional
Not Provided
Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Anemia
  • Dietary Supplement: "Sprinkles" containing mulitple micronutrients
  • Behavioral: Education/communication on use of micronutrient sprinkles
  • Dietary Supplement: Fortified food aid (corn-soy blend)
    This intervention was part of the overall food assisted maternal and child health and nutrition program, and included fortified food aid commodities. Corn soy blend was targeted to the child, while the family also received wheat, lentils and oil.
  • Active Comparator: Food aid only
    Children in this arm received fortified food aid commodities supplied through the maternal and child health and nutrition program implemented by World Vision. They received fortified corn-soy blend, which contained iron.
    Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Fortified food aid (corn-soy blend)
  • Experimental: Micronutrient sprinkles + food aid
    Children in this arm were enrolled in the food assisted program, and therefore received fortified food aid, as well as 60 sachets of a multiple micronutrient powder (Sprinkles) containing iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and folic acid
    Interventions:
    • Dietary Supplement: "Sprinkles" containing mulitple micronutrients
    • Behavioral: Education/communication on use of micronutrient sprinkles
    • Dietary Supplement: Fortified food aid (corn-soy blend)

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Completed
450
September 2005
September 2005   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 6-20 months old at time of recruitment
  • Family receives food rations at World Vision-Haiti's Food Distribution Points

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe anemia at time of recruitment (hemoglobin <7.0 g/dl)
Both
6 Months to 20 Months
Yes
Contact information is only displayed when the study is recruiting subjects
Haiti
 
NCT00210405
10-0460-INTFOO-01-3-IFPRI
Not Provided
Not Provided
International Food Policy Research Institute
  • Cornell University
  • World Vision
  • MicroNutrient Initiative
Principal Investigator: Marie T. Ruel, PhD International Food Policy Research Institute
Principal Investigator: Purnima Menon, PhD International Food Policy Research Institute
International Food Policy Research Institute
August 2012

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP