Dessalegn Tamiru1, Alemayehu Argaw2, Mulusew Gerbaba3, Aderajew Nigussie4, Girmay Ayana5, Tefera Belachew6. 1. Human Nutrition Unit, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia. Electronic address: dessalegn97@gmail.com. 2. Human Nutrition Unit, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia. Electronic address: yemariamwork2@gmail.com. 3. Human Nutrition Unit, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia. Electronic address: mulusew.gerbaba@gmail.com. 4. Human Nutrition Unit, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia. Electronic address: aderajewnu@yahoo.com. 5. Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Electronic address: girmayayana@yahoo.com. 6. Human Nutrition Unit, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia. Electronic address: teferabelachew@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this operational study was to assess the effectiveness school-based health and nutrition intervention supported with backyard gardening on the dietary diversity among school adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1000 school adolescents from 10 to 19years were selected randomly. The intervention involved peer-led behavior change communication and health promotion through school media and health clubs. Data were collected at baseline, midline and end-line using structured questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent effect of interventions. RESULTS: There was a significant increment of proportion of school children consuming diversified diet among the intervention group from 34.8% at baseline through 65.6% at midline to 74.7% at the end-line (p<0.001). Among control group, there was no change from midline (49.4%) to endline (48.8%), though there was a change from baseline (32.1%) to midline (49.4%). A significant difference of dietary diversity intake was observed between intervention and control groups at midline (F=5.64, p=0.042) and endline (F=5.85, p<0.001) survey. Being in the intervention school (OR=2.55 [1.55, 3.50]), being a boy (OR=1.75 [1.91, 2.56]) and having farmer mothers (OR=2.58 [1.01, 6.87]) were independent positive predictors of a diversified diet intake. However, having a mother who attended secondary schools were inversely associated (OR=0.25 [0.06, 0.97]) with consuming a diversified diet. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study demonstrated that there was a significant improvement in dietary diversity of adolescents in intervention schools. The results imply that school based nutrition education should be a part of comprehensive school health programs to reach students and potentially their families. Copyright Â
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this operational study was to assess the effectiveness school-based health and nutrition intervention supported with backyard gardening on the dietary diversity among school adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1000 school adolescents from 10 to 19years were selected randomly. The intervention involved peer-led behavior change communication and health promotion through school media and health clubs. Data were collected at baseline, midline and end-line using structured questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent effect of interventions. RESULTS: There was a significant increment of proportion of school children consuming diversified diet among the intervention group from 34.8% at baseline through 65.6% at midline to 74.7% at the end-line (p<0.001). Among control group, there was no change from midline (49.4%) to endline (48.8%), though there was a change from baseline (32.1%) to midline (49.4%). A significant difference of dietary diversity intake was observed between intervention and control groups at midline (F=5.64, p=0.042) and endline (F=5.85, p<0.001) survey. Being in the intervention school (OR=2.55 [1.55, 3.50]), being a boy (OR=1.75 [1.91, 2.56]) and having farmer mothers (OR=2.58 [1.01, 6.87]) were independent positive predictors of a diversified diet intake. However, having a mother who attended secondary schools were inversely associated (OR=0.25 [0.06, 0.97]) with consuming a diversified diet. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study demonstrated that there was a significant improvement in dietary diversity of adolescents in intervention schools. The results imply that school based nutrition education should be a part of comprehensive school health programs to reach students and potentially their families. Copyright Â