Comparative Cost-effectiveness of Four Supplementary Foods in Preventing Stunting and Wasting in Children 6-24 Months in Burkina Faso

The study foods included Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+), Corn Soy Whey Blend (CSWB), Fortified Vegetable Oil (FVO), and Super Cereal Plus (SC+). The study was conducted in Sanmatenga Province, Burkina Faso, and involved a total of 1,200 children. The study design consisted of a randomized controlled trial with three arms: CSB+, CSWB, and a control group. The study duration was 12 months, and data collection was conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The study used a variety of data collection instruments, including questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory analyses. The study found that CSB+ was the most cost-effective intervention in preventing stunting and wasting in children 6-24 months in Burkina Faso. The cost-effectiveness of CSB+ was estimated to be $0.35 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, compared to $0.55 for CSWB and $0.65 for FVO. The study also found that CSB+ was associated with significant improvements in child growth and development, including increases in weight-for-height z-score and length-for-age z-score. The study's findings suggest that CSB+ is a cost-effective intervention for preventing stunting and wasting in children 6-24 months in Burkina Faso. The study's results have implications for the design and implementation of supplementary food programs in low-income countries.