Browsing by Author "Mosha, Theobald"

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Efficacy of Different Doses of Multiple Micronutrient Powder on Haemoglobin Concentration in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Arusha District
(Hindawi Scientiﬁca, 2019-02-03) Kejo, Dyness; Petrucka, Pammla; Martin, Haikael; Mosha, Theobald; Kimanya, Martin
In Tanzania’s Arusha District, anaemia is a signiﬁcant public health problem. Recently, home fortiﬁcation with multiple micronutrient powder was recommended, and daily use of one sachet has shown to be eﬀective. However, it is a challenge for deprived families with low income to aﬀord the daily sachet. aim of this study was to compare the eﬃcacy of diﬀerent administration frequencies of micronutrient powder in reducing anaemia in children aged 6–59 months. Is research used a community-based, randomized longitudinal trial design with the intent to treat anaemia. Children aged 6 to 59 months (n = 369) were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups which received, on a weekly basis, either ﬁve sachets (n=60), three sachets (n=80), two sachets (n = 105), or one sachet (n = 124) for six months; 310 children completed the study. Using the Hemo Cue technique, a ﬁnger-prick blood was taken at baseline, middle, and end points of the intervention to determine haemoglobin levels. The eﬀect of treatment on haemoglobin was assessed with analysis of covariates with Bonferroni post hoc to test group diﬀerence (p > 0.05) from each other. At the end, haemoglobin levels were signiﬁcantly higher in participants who received three or ﬁve sachets of micronutrient powder per week compared to those who received one or two micronutrient powder sachets per week (p < 0.05). The prevalence of illnesses was reduced from 65% to 30.5% in all groups. This ﬁnding indicates that economically challenged families may opt for three times per week sachet administration rather than a more costly daily administration.
Factors Influencing Willingness to Pay for Multiple Micronutrient Powder (Virutubishi) Supplements for Young Children in Arusha, Tanzania
(Journal of Health & Medical Economics, 2018-11-21) Kejo, Dyness; Martin, Haikel; Mosha, Theobald; Petrucka, Pammla; Kimanya, Martin
Background: Multiple micronutrient powders have shown a positive effect on anaemia prevention in children 6-59 months. For the purposes of uptake and sustainability, we explored ‘‘willingness to pay’’ for these health products at the household level for potential of co-investment in multiple micronutrient powders. Methods: During the intervention (six months), household surveys were conducted once with mothers of children 6-59 months in the Arusha District regarding willingness to pay for the multiple micronutrient powders. Results: Results from the survey show that about 66% of the target mothers are willing to pay for multiple micronutrient powders required for feeding of children at 0.068$ per sachet. Willingness to pay was associated with higher paternal education, higher maternal age, and families which do not keep animals. Conclusion: The results findings help to know the market situation of nutritional products. This information is useful for health policy planners in assessing economic viability and sustainability of the distribution of multiple micronutrient powders to consumers to avert micronutrient deficiencies and their effects on young children.
Prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among underfive children in Arusha District, Tanzania
(Wiley Periodicals, Inc., 2018) Kejo, Dyness; Mosha, Theobald; Petrucka, Pammla; Martin, Haikael; Kimanya, Martin
Childhood undernutrition is a global health challenge impacting child growth and survival rates. This deficit in nutritional status contributes to the increasing chronic disease prevalence and economic burden in individuals and throughout developing contexts. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arusha District of Tanzania to determine the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in 436 children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and socio- economic factors as well as feeding practices and prevalence of preventable childhood diseases. Anthropometric data were collected through the measurement of length/height and weight of all children. The prevalence of undernutrition was estimated based on Z-scores indices below −2SD of the reference population for weight for age (underweight), height for age (stunting), and weight for height (wasting). Fifty percent, 28%, and 16.5% of the children were stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. The age above 2 years and being a male were associated with stunting. The age above 2 years, nonexclusive breastfeeding children, and living at Seliani and Oturumeti were associated with being underweight. Similarly, morbidity, none exclusively breastfed children, living at Oturumeti, and being born to a mother 35 years and above were associated with wasting. In this study, we found the prevalence of child undernutrition in Arusha District is high in comparison with national and regional trends and appears to be associated with being a male. It is recommended that nutritionists and health planners should focus on these key predictors when planning nutrition interventions to address the problem of undernutrition among under-five children in Arusha District.