Dietary outcomes of moderately wasted children treated in a food voucher program in Cameroon's Far North: a three-month longitudinal study

Top Things to Know

The food voucher program significantly improved dietary diversity among moderately wasted children.

Perception of food safety among mothers was crucial for meeting dietary diversity requirements.

Storing perishable items without refrigeration was problematic, indicating a need for better storage solutions and counseling.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study evaluated the effectiveness of food vouchers as an alternative treatment for moderately wasted children. The findings show that dietary diversity improved significantly with the program, and this improvement was sustained throughout the treatment period. Factors such as the perception of food safety among mothers and not sharing rations with other family members were significantly associated with meeting dietary diversity requirements. The study also highlighted challenges with storing perishable items and the need for counseling to improve the acceptance of vegetables and eggs. Overall, the program was highly acceptable to caretakers and feasible in the emergency context.