Kenya

Project Name: Effectiveness of Distributing Micronutrient Sprinkles™, a micronutrient powder (MNP), in Western Kenya

Start Date: March 2006

Background

In Western Kenya, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among children is more than 60%.¹ Although previous studies have established the efficacy of using a micronutrient powder (MNP) for in-home fortification of complementary foods to help reduce the incidence of anemia, few studies have been done to determine the best delivery system for promoting the use of MNP in resource-poor communities.

In March 2007, the CDC joined  Kenya's government and its partners to study the effectiveness of combining a social marketing campaign with mobilizing local institutions to promotethe sale of MNP and several other health products.  

Purposes

The project has the following purposes:

• Evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of distributing MNP through community vendors.
• Monitor Sprinkles sales and coverage.
• Measure the impact of MNP use on the incidence of iron deficiency and anemia.

Target Group(s)

The target group consists of children aged 6 to 35 months.

Progress

Researchers' analyses of the first year of data shows that–

• The uptake of MNP is good (approximately 33% coverage) and is associated with reducting iron deficiency and anemia.
• MNP use was not associated with a measureable increase in hospitalization or clinic visits due to malaria or reports of fever.

Researchers have presented their findings at numerous international meetings and are preparing manuscripts.

Future Plans

Future plans include the following activities:

• Conduct a 2-year program evaluation in March 2009.
• Investigate the feasibility of local MNP production and national distribution.

Partners

The CDC works with the following partners on this project:

• Ministry of Health, Kenya
• Medical Research Institute, Kenya (KEMRI)
• Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
• Population Services International (PSI)
• Safe Water and AIDS Project
• Sprinkles Global Health Initiative
• CDC Enteric Diseases Branch

Related Resources

Baseline Data from the Nyando Integrated Child Health and Education Project – Kenya, 2007
October 26, 2007 / 56(42);1109—1113

References

1. Desai MR, Terlouw DJ, Kwena AM, et al. Factors associated with hemoglobin concentrations in preschool children in Western Kenya: cross-sectional studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005;72(1):47–59.

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