NCT07153913

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

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 64 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Günther Fink · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Months – 12 Months
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In a recently completed intervention study, more than 50% of children in Lusaka were found to be stunted by age two, even when nutritional supplements were provided. It seems likely that these high rates of stunting are primarily due to inadequate basic nutritional intake. The main goal of this project is investigate this conjecture 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.

Conditions

• Malnourished Children
• Stunting of Growth

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Intensive growth support	For women in the intervention group, we will develop a nutritional plan for the child in collaboration with the mother. Mothers will then receive a visit every other week - during this visit, children's health and nutrition will be discussed, and height and weight will be measured by field officers. Detailed food recommendations will be made based on national and international infant and young child feeding guidelines. To ensure appropriate foods are available, field workers will drop off local foods on a weekly basis.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-05
• Primary completion: 2026-07-31
• Completion: 2027-12-31
• First posted: 2025-09-04
• Last updated: 2026-01-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Zambia