Rajni Gunnala1, Cria G Perrine2, Giriraj Subedi3, Saba Mebrahtu4, Pradiumna Dahal4, Maria Elena Jefferds5. 1. Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA USA. 2. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA. 3. Child Health Division, Nepal Ministry of Health and Population, Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal. 4. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Nepal Country Office, UN House, Pulchowk, Nepal. 5. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA. Email: MJefferds@cdc.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Little is known about purchasing micronutrient powders (MNP) for children 2-5 years. We describe acceptability for purchasing and price points for MNP for children 2-5 years among caregivers living in districts where free MNP are distributed for children 6-23 months. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Crosssectional surveys conducted 3 months after MNP program implementation in 2 districts; 15 months after implementation in 2 different districts. Chi square tests and logistic regression describe associations among sociodemographics and program exposure factors and acceptability of purchasing MNP among 1,261 mothers of children 6-23 months who had heard of MNP. RESULTS: Overall, 77.5% and 86.1% of mothers reported acceptability for purchasing MNP in the 3 and 15 month surveys, respectively. Positive pricing attitude (PPA) about paying 150 Nepali rupees for 60 sachets of MNP was reported by 66.3% and 73.4% of mothers. Acceptability for purchasing MNP in both time periods increased with higher wealth quintile and higher maternal education; PPA increased with higher maternal education. Controlling for socio-demographics, program exposure factors associated with acceptability for purchasing MNP included: lack of perceived barriers to MNP intake and health worker counselling (3 month surveys); knowledge of benefits of MNP intake and lack of perceived barriers to MNP intake (15 month surveys). CONCLUSIONS: Mothers reported acceptability for purchasing MNP and PPA for older children in Nepal. Differences in acceptability were found across socio-demographics and program exposures. Use of these results and further exploration into actual purchasing behaviour can inform future MNP distribution methods in Nepal.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Little is known about purchasing micronutrient powders (MNP) for children 2-5 years. We describe acceptability for purchasing and price points for MNP for children 2-5 years among caregivers living in districts where free MNP are distributed for children 6-23 months. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Crosssectional surveys conducted 3 months after MNP program implementation in 2 districts; 15 months after implementation in 2 different districts. Chi square tests and logistic regression describe associations among sociodemographics and program exposure factors and acceptability of purchasing MNP among 1,261 mothers of children 6-23 months who had heard of MNP. RESULTS: Overall, 77.5% and 86.1% of mothers reported acceptability for purchasing MNP in the 3 and 15 month surveys, respectively. Positive pricing attitude (PPA) about paying 150 Nepali rupees for 60 sachets of MNP was reported by 66.3% and 73.4% of mothers. Acceptability for purchasing MNP in both time periods increased with higher wealth quintile and higher maternal education; PPA increased with higher maternal education. Controlling for socio-demographics, program exposure factors associated with acceptability for purchasing MNP included: lack of perceived barriers to MNP intake and health worker counselling (3 month surveys); knowledge of benefits of MNP intake and lack of perceived barriers to MNP intake (15 month surveys). CONCLUSIONS: Mothers reported acceptability for purchasing MNP and PPA for older children in Nepal. Differences in acceptability were found across socio-demographics and program exposures. Use of these results and further exploration into actual purchasing behaviour can inform future MNP distribution methods in Nepal.
Authors: Katie Tripp; Cria G Perrine; Pascal de Campos; Marily Knieriemen; Rebecca Hartz; Farah Ali; Maria Elena D Jefferds; Roland Kupka Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2011-10 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Parminder S Suchdev; Ami Shah; Maria Elena D Jefferds; Alie Eleveld; Minal Patel; Aryeh D Stein; Barbara Macdonald; Laird Ruth Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 3.092
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