Compliance with and acceptability of two fortified balanced energy protein supplements among pregnant women in rural Nepal

Bibliographic Data

ID15535586
AuthorsTsering Pema Lama (0000-0001-6054-4075, Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project—Sarlahi (NNIPS) Kathmandu Nepal, corresponding author), Katie Moore (0009-0008-5860-2860, Anthrologica), Sheila Isanaka (0000-0002-4503-2861, Harvard Global Health Institute), Leslie Jones (0000-0002-5107-2413, Anthrologica), Juliet Bedford (0000-0001-7469-9000, Anthrologica), Saskia de Pee (0000-0002-0138-7118, Milken Institute), Joanne Katz (0000-0002-5997-7823, Johns Hopkins University), Subarna K Khatry (Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project—Sarlahi (NNIPS) Kathmandu Nepal), Steven C Leclerq (Anthrologica), James M Tielsch (0000-0002-1151-060X, Milken Institute)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue2
Pagese13306-e13306
Publication date2021-12-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13306
PMID34908227
OpenAlexW4200409509
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited33

Some evidence suggests that balanced energy protein (BEP) supplements taken during pregnancy and lactation can have positive effects on birth outcomes such as small-for-gestational age and birthweight, but more evidence is needed on the long-term use and acceptability of such supplements. We conducted a mixed-methods formative research study to assess and compare compliance with and acceptability of two BEP supplements, a lipid-based peanut paste and a biscuit, to identify BEP supplements for subsequent inclusion in an efficacy trial. We conducted an 8-week feeding trial of daily supplementation among two groups of 40 pregnant women each in rural Nepal. Compliance data were collected and supplements distributed at the weekly visits. Sensory properties of the supplements were assessed using a 7-point Likert scale. In addition, in-depth interviews with women (n = 16), family members (n = 6) and health workers (n = 6) and focus group discussions (FGDs) (n = 4) were conducted to explore themes related to general use and intention of future use of the supplement. Overall self-reported compliance was high: medians of 91.1% in the lipid-based peanut paste group and 96.4% in the biscuit group. Both supplements were rated highly on overall likability (median score 6/7) and sensory properties. Qualitative findings showed that sustained use of the supplements was attributed to expected health benefits, favourable sensory attributes, and family support. The FGDs suggested providing the option to choose between more than one type/flavour of supplements to improve compliance. Sharing was mostly evident in the first week with higher sharing reported in the biscuit group

Environmental health · Family medicine · Focus group · Likert scale · Pregnancy · Psychological intervention · Randomized controlled trial · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Nursing · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Internal Medicine

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