Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Assessing the Performance of 7-Day vs 1-Day Packaging for Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements in Ghana (SQLNS:7D-1D Comparison)

Ghana500 participantsStarted 2026-01

Plain-language summary

This cluster-randomized crossover trial evaluates the impact of two different packaging formats for small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) on adherence and acceptability among caregivers of young children in Northern Ghana. SQ-LNS are a proven intervention for reducing child malnutrition, but optimizing packaging formats may improve adherence and scalability. Eight health facilities participating in growth monitoring services will each receive both formats: a 1-day sachet (20g daily) and a 7-day bulk container (140g weekly), with the order of delivery randomized. Each packaging format will be distributed for one month before cross-over. The primary outcomes are adherence (measured through caregiver self-report and sachet counts) and acceptability (assessed via caregiver interviews). Secondary outcomes include caregiver preference, ease of use, and qualitative insights into feeding practices, beliefs, and packaging usability. This implementation research study uses a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative adherence and acceptability data with in-depth interviews and structured observations to inform real-world program implementation. Findings will guide policy and program decisions for integrating SQ-LNS into child health platforms in Ghana and other low-resource settings.

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Primary caregiver of a child aged 6-24 months attending growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) services at one of the participating health facilities * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Plans to remain in the area for the duration of the study period * Agrees to participate in surveys and/or interviews related to supplement use Exclusion Criteria: * Caregiver of a child with a diagnosed severe illness requiring hospitalization * Caregiver under the age of 18

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Adherence

Timeframe: Measured twice per participant: at the end of the first 1-month phase and at the end of the second 1-month phase

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07129109

SponsorBoston University Charles River Campus

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03

Contact for this trial

Lindsey M Locks, ScD

617-353-2710 lmlocks@bu.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Child Malnutrition trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.