Comprehensive Nutritional Support for Children in Zambia (ZamCNC) - A Pilot Investigation

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Malnourished Children; Stunting of Growth

• Registration Number: NCT07153913
• Lead Sponsor: Günther Fink

Brief Summary

In a recently completed intervention study, we found more than 50% of children in Lusaka to be stunted by age two, even when nutritional supplements were provided. We hypothesize that these high rates of stunting are primarily due to inadequate basic nutritional intake, and wish to investigate this through a small pilot study that will be conducted in the urban area of Lusaka.

Detailed Description

This is very small cluster-randomized trial, with 64 families recruited from 4 selected neighbourhoods. 2 of these neighbourhoods will be selected for nutritional counselling and food support.

Children ages 6-12 months old and their caregivers will be included. Exclusion criteria: low birth weight; planning to move; twins.

All families will complete a baseline and endline assessment - each lasting approximately 30-45 minutes.

Children in the two intervention clusters will receive a visit every two weeks to discuss child nutrition, and to monitor height and weight gains. We will also provide additional food/groceries to mothers in the treatment group, i.e. to the 32 families in the two neighborhoods selected for treatment.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Study First Submitted: 2025-08-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-08-26
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-08-26
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-04
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-04
• Study Start: 2025-09-05
• Primary Completion: 2026-07-31
• Study Completion: 2027-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 64

Inclusion Criteria

Only children who are 6-12 months old at the time of recruitment and their caregivers in selected areas will be eligible for the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• expected to move
• no child health card
• participating in cash transfer programs

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Height-for-age z-score	measured approximately 6 months after initiation of intervention	Children's height for age z-score after six months of interventions

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Innovations for Poverty Action Zambia; 🇿🇲 Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia