Child stunting and vitamin A deficiency are persistent public health problems in Ethiopia.~Quality Diets for Better Health (QDBH) is a European Union-funded project led by the International Potato Center (CIP), in partnership with People in Need (PIN), Emory University and with support of governmental organizations and local universities. The 54 month-project strives to improve diet quality, primarily of women and young children, through the promotion of vitamin A-rich orange flesh sweetpotato (OFSP) production and nutrition education in 41 kebeles (communities) in SNNPR, reaching an estimated 15000 households. In addition, households in a subset of communities will receive a Healthy Baby Toolkit, consisting of a marked bowl, slotted spoon, and illustrated counseling card. The Healthy Baby Toolkit is designed to promote optimal complementary feeding practices of infants and young children 6 to 23 months, namely meal volume, meal frequency, and meal thickness.~As part of this project, Emory University will conduct a longitudinal, cluster randomized controlled trial in 20 kebeles to test the effect of the project on vitamin A and energy intake, including any added value of the Healthy Baby Toolkit.
This cluster randomized controlled trial will test the effect of the promotion of vitamin A-rich orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) production and nutrition education on vitamin A and energy intake, including any added value of the Healthy Baby Toolkit.