Makwela, Mashahataba SolomonMushaphi, Lindelani FhumudzaniMakhado, Lufuno2026-08-202026-08-202024Makwela, M.S.; Mushaphi, L.F.; Makhado, L. The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Children 2024, 11, 1425. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121425https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121425https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3423Background: Appropriate complimentary feeding (CF) has the potential to improve growth and development in infants from 6 months to 2 years of age. This study’s aim was to assess the effect of a CF education program on the nutritional status of infants aged 3–12 months in the Polokwane Municipality. Methods: A longitudinal (non-randomized), quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted among 187 caregivers. The caregiver-infant pairs (CIPs) in the intervention group (n = 95) received CF education and a six-month telephone follow-up support. The CIPs in the control group (n = 94) received no intervention. We collected data at baseline and end line using structured questionnaires. Intervention effectiveness was evaluated by comparing mean changes in anthropometric measurements between intervention and control groups using difference-in-difference analysis. Per protocol, analysis was run. Results: The results show that the children in the intervention group gained more weight after the intervention, were taller, and the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) increased more than in the control group. At baseline, the weight of infants was 7.37 ± 0.83 and 6.69 ± 0.13 kg in the intervention and control. At end line, significant weight and length gain were observed in the intervention group (difference-in-difference (DID) = 1.82 kg, p < 0.001) and (DID = 7.78 cm, p < 0.01), respectively. The intervention group showed significant gain in MUAC of 1.68 cm (p = 0.047), with no noticeable effect on the head circumference at end line; DID (0.16 cm; p = 0.950). Conclusions: Community-based nutrition intervention programs can effectively improve the anthropometric nutritional status of children aged 3–12 months.enAnthropometryNutritional statusUCTDComplementary feedingArticleMakwela MS, Mushaphi LF, Makhado L. The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 2024; .Makwela, M. S., Mushaphi, L. F., & Makhado, L. (2024). The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Makwela, Mashahataba Solomon, Lindelani Fhumudzani Mushaphi, and Lufuno Makhado "The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa." (2024)TY - Article AU - Makwela, Mashahataba Solomon AU - Mushaphi, Lindelani Fhumudzani AU - Makhado, Lufuno AB - Background: Appropriate complimentary feeding (CF) has the potential to improve growth and development in infants from 6 months to 2 years of age. This study’s aim was to assess the effect of a CF education program on the nutritional status of infants aged 3–12 months in the Polokwane Municipality. Methods: A longitudinal (non-randomized), quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted among 187 caregivers. The caregiver-infant pairs (CIPs) in the intervention group (n = 95) received CF education and a six-month telephone follow-up support. The CIPs in the control group (n = 94) received no intervention. We collected data at baseline and end line using structured questionnaires. Intervention effectiveness was evaluated by comparing mean changes in anthropometric measurements between intervention and control groups using difference-in-difference analysis. Per protocol, analysis was run. Results: The results show that the children in the intervention group gained more weight after the intervention, were taller, and the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) increased more than in the control group. At baseline, the weight of infants was 7.37 ± 0.83 and 6.69 ± 0.13 kg in the intervention and control. At end line, significant weight and length gain were observed in the intervention group (difference-in-difference (DID) = 1.82 kg, p < 0.001) and (DID = 7.78 cm, p < 0.01), respectively. The intervention group showed significant gain in MUAC of 1.68 cm (p = 0.047), with no noticeable effect on the head circumference at end line; DID (0.16 cm; p = 0.950). Conclusions: Community-based nutrition intervention programs can effectively improve the anthropometric nutritional status of children aged 3–12 months. DA - 2024 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Anthropometry KW - Nutritional status KW - Complementary feeding LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2024 T1 - The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa TI - The Effect of a Community-Based Complementary Feeding Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Infants in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa UR - ER -