Impact of Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP) on Maternal and Child Nutritional Status

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP) which includes specialized nutritious food (SNF) augmented with specific reproductive health interventions during pregnancy on proportion of low birthweight babies and stunting among children, in low income setting of Pakistan. The study aims to answer if:

1. Utilization of Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP) among pregnant women is effective in reducing the proportion of low birthweight babies, compared to pregnant women who are not utilizing the program, among low income setting population.
2. Utilization of Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP) is effective in reducing the proportion of stunting among children, compared to those not utilizing the program, among low income setting population.

Participants who are enrolled in the Benazir Nashonuma Program (receiving intervention) and those who are not enrolled (not receiving intervention) will be followed throughout pregnancy till delivery. After delivery mother-baby dyad will be followed for a period of 12 months. Compliance of supplementation will be measured, and outcomes (low birthweight and stunting) observed throughout the follow up.

Conditions

• Low Birthweight
• Stunting
• Wasting
• Malnutrition, Child
• Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Dietary Habits

Interventions

OTHER

Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP)

Dietary supplement for pregnant women and lactating mothers during the first six months of lactation: Maamta is a 75-gram sachet made from peanut butter with 400 kcal of energy Dietary supplement for children aged 6-23 months: Wawamum is a lipid-based nutrient supplement consisting of skimmed milk powder, micronutrients, vegetable oil, roasted chickpeas and antioxidants. Wawamum covers the recommended daily dose of most micronutrients and 255 kcal of energy (1/4 of daily energy requirements for children in this age range) Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT): This includes stipends of PKR 2000 during pregnancy contingent on three antenatal care visits, consuming SNF, attending awareness sessions on health and nutrition, getting two doses of tetanus toxoid and institutional delivery. After delivery PKR 2000/- for boys and 2500/- for girls are paid as incentives conditioned on getting child's birth registered, routine immunization and consumption of SNF by the child from 6-23 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• International Food Policy Research Institute

  collaborator OTHER

• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Aga Khan University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

49 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2026-09-30

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations