Niger

Project Name: Childhood Anemia Reduction and Prevention Project

Start Date: October 2007

Background

In Niger, the prevalence of anemia among children is 84.1%.¹ Although the addition of complementary foods to the diet can help reduce and prevent anemia, previous efforts to provide these foods have been challenged by the high cost and low availability of micronutrient-rich and energy foods. In an effort to improve the nutritional status of children in Niger, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Helen Keller International (HKI) are working to establish an in-home fortification program for children aged 6 to 24 months.

The project has two main phases: a formative phase (phase 1) and a program implementation phase (phase 2).  

During the formative phase of the project, two products will be assessed:

• Sprinkles^TM – A multiple micronutrient powder that can be added to a child's food.
• Nutributter – A peanut-based complementary food product that contains multiple micronutrients, essential fatty acids, and some energy.

CDC is assisting the Government of Niger and its partners in designing and implementing the formative phase, and will provide support for program evaluation during the program implementation phase.

Purposes

The project has the following purposes:

• Determine the acceptability of in-home fortification product(s) among children and their caregivers in two areas of Niger – Dogondoutchi and Niamey.
• Assess the feasibility and sustainability of using a social marketing approach to promote and support the distribution of in-home fortification product(s).
• Implement an in-home fortification program in one district in Niger and evaluate its performance.
• Introduce the in-home fortification program to other areas of Niger.

Target Group(s)

The target group consists of infants and young children aged 6 to 24 months.

Progress

• The protocol for the formative phase of the project has been completed.
• Fieldwork for the formative phase of the project is scheduled to begin in May 2009.

Future Plans

• Complete all activities in the formative phase of the project during 2009.
• Begin the program implementation phase of the project during 2010–
  • Implement the program in one district of Niger.
  • Design the monitoring and evaluation system.

Partners

CDC works with the following partners on this project:

• Helen Keller International (HKI), Niger
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Niger

References

1. Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et Macro International Inc. Enquête Démographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiples du Niger 2006. Calverton, Maryland, USA : INS et Macro International Inc.;2007.p. 188—189.

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