Exploring the links between village poultry health and maternal and child diets and nutrition in Timor-Leste
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USyd Access
Type
ThesisThesis type
Doctor of PhilosophyAuthor/s
Wong, JohannaAbstract
In Timor-Leste, one in two children under five years have stunted growth due to chronic undernutrition. Most households raise livestock, however, despite the nutritional value of animal-source food, it is rarely consumed, particularly by infants and young children. There is potential ...
See moreIn Timor-Leste, one in two children under five years have stunted growth due to chronic undernutrition. Most households raise livestock, however, despite the nutritional value of animal-source food, it is rarely consumed, particularly by infants and young children. There is potential for increased consumption to positively impact maternal and child diets, and ultimately, nutrition. In this context, the effect of a community-based Newcastle disease pilot vaccination program for village chickens on maternal and child diets and nutrition was studied. Thermotolerant eyedrop vaccines were administered to chickens by community vaccinators every four months. This two-year, longitudinal, mixed-methods, observational study, enrolled 389 household in the quantitative arm, and conducted a total of 12 semi-structured key informant interviews and 47 sex-disaggregated focus group discussions for the qualitative arm. Consistent participation in the chicken vaccination campaigns led to small but statistically significantly increase in flock sizes, increased consumption of eggs in mothers and children, and of chickens by the household, however, vaccination participation was hampered by changing Government policies. No positive or negative impacts were found on maternal and child dietary diversity or nutrition status. Other key findings of the study include the profound impact of limited nutrition knowledge of parents and carers on infant and young child complementary feeding practices, leading to a grossly inadequate complementary diet and poor nutrition outcomes. Of available animal-source foods, eggs were considered appropriate for infants and young children, and preferentially given to children over adults. To maximise nutritional benefits for children within the first 1000-days window, livestock programs need simultaneously address nutrition knowledge deficits while increasing production of culturally acceptable foods.
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See moreIn Timor-Leste, one in two children under five years have stunted growth due to chronic undernutrition. Most households raise livestock, however, despite the nutritional value of animal-source food, it is rarely consumed, particularly by infants and young children. There is potential for increased consumption to positively impact maternal and child diets, and ultimately, nutrition. In this context, the effect of a community-based Newcastle disease pilot vaccination program for village chickens on maternal and child diets and nutrition was studied. Thermotolerant eyedrop vaccines were administered to chickens by community vaccinators every four months. This two-year, longitudinal, mixed-methods, observational study, enrolled 389 household in the quantitative arm, and conducted a total of 12 semi-structured key informant interviews and 47 sex-disaggregated focus group discussions for the qualitative arm. Consistent participation in the chicken vaccination campaigns led to small but statistically significantly increase in flock sizes, increased consumption of eggs in mothers and children, and of chickens by the household, however, vaccination participation was hampered by changing Government policies. No positive or negative impacts were found on maternal and child dietary diversity or nutrition status. Other key findings of the study include the profound impact of limited nutrition knowledge of parents and carers on infant and young child complementary feeding practices, leading to a grossly inadequate complementary diet and poor nutrition outcomes. Of available animal-source foods, eggs were considered appropriate for infants and young children, and preferentially given to children over adults. To maximise nutritional benefits for children within the first 1000-days window, livestock programs need simultaneously address nutrition knowledge deficits while increasing production of culturally acceptable foods.
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Date
2020Publisher
University of SydneyRights statement
The author retains copyright of this thesis. It may only be used for the purposes of research and study. It must not be used for any other purposes and may not be transmitted or shared with others without prior permission.Faculty/School
Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesAwarding institution
The University of SydneyShare