ACCEPTABILITY OF SPRINKLES IN RURAL BANGLADESH: A NEW HOME FORTIFICATION APPROACH TO DELIVER MICRONUTRIENTS AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN.

S. Hyder, F. Haseen, H. Ip and S.H. Zlotkin

Background: Interventions to control childhood anemia primarily focus on iron drops, which are not well accepted. Sprinkles are a micronutrient powder that contains microencapsulated iron, vitamins A and C, folic acid and zinc. They are packaged in single-serve sachets and are mixed once a day into weaning food. This home-fortification approach can potentially increase the effectiveness of anemia control programs among children.

Objectives: To determine the acceptability of Sprinkles among mothers in a rural setting.

Methods: Two community-based studies were conducted in 2004 over 500 children from 29 villages in Bangladesh. Mothers were supplied with Sprinkles and instructed to give 60 sachets to their children over 2-4 months. Acceptability was determined through surveys and focus group discussions.

Results: 60% of mothers 'extremely liked', 30% 'liked' and 10% 'somewhat liked' the intervention, measured on a four point scale. Mixing of Sprinkles with weaning food did not make an appreciable change in smell (91%), color (98%) or taste (99%), as reported by mothers. Perceived health benefits of Sprinkles included the general improvement of child's health, increased child appetite and playfulness and faster intellectual development. Major reasons for liking Sprinkles are because they 'are easy to use', 'encourage timely weaning practice' and 'encourage a child to eat more'. Sprinkles helped to promote healthier weaning practice in addition to addressing anemia.

Conclusion: Sprinkles were found to be highly acceptable among mothers in rural Bangladesh.