Science and Technology Intervention Strategy on Complementary Feeding to Improve the Nutritional Status of Young Children in Two Yolanda Disasters Areas in the Philippines: Evidences from the Grounds

The project aimed to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among 6–35-mo-old children, and to determine the implementation of intervention strategy through process evaluation in a disaster area affected by super typhoon "Yolanda". The effects of the intervention on the nutritional status and food intake of children-participants, as well as the nutrition knowledge of their mothers and caregivers in disaster-stricken areas, were determined. The project covered 344 underweight and normal weight-for-age infants and young children 6–35-moold in four barangays each in Jaro, Leyte and Basey, Samar, Philippines. The planning, organizing, implementation, monitoring, and process evaluation phases of implementing a nutrition intervention were documented. Weights and heights/lengths of children and food intake were taken before and after the intervention. The children-participants were fed for 4 mo with complementary foods, while their mothers/caregivers were taught about health and nutrition concepts. A significant increase in the mean weight and height/length of childrenparticipants after 120 feeding days and the improvement in the energy and protein intakes of the children were observed. However, these increases had no significant impact on the overall nutritional status of children living in a disaster area. Likewise, a significant increase in the mean knowledge scores of their mothers/caregivers on breastfeeding and food safety at endline (p < 0.001) was noted. The implementation was closely monitored following some guidelines and its feasibility in a disaster situation. The intervention strategy provided an option of doing nutritional assessment and implementing a food-based and education intervention for mother and child during the rehabilitation phase of a disaster.