Dairy animals are an important source of income, food and nutrition security at the household level. However, substandard animal husbandry practices and limited understanding of disease prevention and control may limit dairy animal productivity. Interventions to address these issues may enhance milk production, substantially improving the well-being of smallholder farmers. In addition to increasing household income, greater milk production may improve the diet quality of household members, particularly children. Previously, the investigators implemented a program in rural Nepal promoting enhanced animal husbandry practices (GHP), focusing on mastitis control. Concurrently, the investigators found child milk intake was strongly linked to better growth and development. However, milk intake was limited and its availability was not examined. The investigators now propose to build on these prior activities and examine strategies to increase child milk consumption. The investigators plan to introduce a nutrition education program into 200 households (with young children) which previously received GHP training. A comparison group of 200 households will serve as the control. Household surveys will be conducted at baseline and endline to assess (1) household milk production and the sustainability of adoption of GHP routines, (2) the relationship of household milk production to child milk consumption, (3) household factors influencing child milk consumption (participation in nutrition education, mother's education, socioeconomic status, etc.), and (4) longitudinal child growth and development. In addition, a pilot study will determine if households can accurately record milk production and child milk intake. The project is designed to enhance understanding of the links between milk availability and child milk consumption in rural Nepal. It aims to explore whether milk consumption is limited by availability or other factors (nutrition awareness, socioeconomic status, maternal education). Additionally, the investigators will examine if optimization of milk consumption by young children can further boost their growth and development, and whether instruction in good animal husbandry practice and mastitis control is sustainable. These findings could more appropriately and efficiently direct resources to improve child nutrition and development and household dairy practices.
Age range
6 Months – 66 Months
Sex
ALL
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Change in child height from baseline to midline
Timeframe: baseline, midline (0, 6 months)
Change in child height from baseline to endline
Timeframe: baseline, endline (0, 12 months)
Change in child weight from baseline to midline
Timeframe: baseline, midline (0, 6 months)
Change in child weight from baseline to endline
Timeframe: baseline, endline (0, 12 months)
Change in child head circumference from baseline to midline
Timeframe: baseline, midline (0, 6 months)
Change in child head circumference from baseline to endline
Timeframe: baseline, endline (0, 12 months)
Change in child development standardized score from baseline to endline
Timeframe: baseline and endline (0, 12 months)