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Effect of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program on Nutritional Knowledge and Food Practices among Caregivers of 3–5-Year-Old Left-Behind Children in the Rural Hunan Province

Author

Listed:
  • Yefu Zhang

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Meimei Ji

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Jiaojiao Zou

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Tong Yuan

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Jing Deng

    (Department of Epidemiology and Statistical Science, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Lina Yang

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Mingzhi Li

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Hong Qin

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Jihua Chen

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

  • Qian Lin

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China)

Abstract

Left-behind children (LBC) are a unique population in China, whose numbers have increased dramatically in recent years. Most caregivers of left-behind children (CLBC) are grandparents who lack knowledge about proper nutrition and food practice, putting LBC at greater risk for malnutrition. A cluster randomized controlled trial was carried to assess the effectiveness of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program. Forty rural villages from Fenghuang County and Pingjiang County of Hunan province were selected. The villages were randomized into the intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, caregivers received a cash transfer conditional on bimonthly health education attendance, bringing LBC in for vaccinations, and on-time annual health checks. The control group received routine health services only. Two rounds of questionnaire surveys were conducted in March 2015 and July 2016. Questionnaires and in-person interviews were used to assess the changes in nutritional knowledge and food practices among CLBC. Among 447 valid subjects, CLBC in the intervention group were significantly more likely to correctly understand the importance of children’s height and weight measurements, food variety, inclusion of eggs and dairy in the diet, and anemia identification and prevention. Intervention group CLBC were also significantly more likely to prepare dairy products and eggs for their children. Generalized liner mixed model (GLMM) analysis showed that CLBC nutrition knowledge was improved significantly in the intervention group (adjusted p value = 0.01), and there were also positive changes in their food practice (adjusted p value = 0.047). This CCT intervention turned to be effective with respect to rural caregivers’ nutritional knowledge and food practice behavior. The findings from this project could be helpful for future health strategies targeting rural children, in particular the LBC group.

Suggested Citation

  • Yefu Zhang & Meimei Ji & Jiaojiao Zou & Tong Yuan & Jing Deng & Lina Yang & Mingzhi Li & Hong Qin & Jihua Chen & Qian Lin, 2018. "Effect of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program on Nutritional Knowledge and Food Practices among Caregivers of 3–5-Year-Old Left-Behind Children in the Rural Hunan Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:525-:d:136408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manley, James & Gitter, Seth & Slavchevska, Vanya, 2013. "How Effective are Cash Transfers at Improving Nutritional Status?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 133-155.
    2. Meimei Ji & Yefu Zhang & Jiaojiao Zou & Tong Yuan & Amber Tang & Jing Deng & Lina Yang & Mingzhi Li & Jihua Chen & Hong Qin & Qian Lin, 2017. "Study on the Status of Health Service Utilization among Caregivers of Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Baseline Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yunwei Chen & Sean Sylvia & Sarah-Eve Dill & Scott Rozelle, 2022. "Structural Determinants of Child Health in Rural China: The Challenge of Creating Health Equity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Jing Luo & Jiaojiao Zou & Meimei Ji & Tong Yuan & Mei Sun & Qian Lin, 2019. "Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among 3- to 5-Year-Olds Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Qiping Yang & Tong Yuan & Lina Yang & Jiaojiao Zou & Meimei Ji & Yefu Zhang & Jing Deng & Qian Lin, 2019. "Household Food Insecurity, Dietary Diversity, Stunting, and Anaemia among Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Qiong Tang & Qian Lin & Qiping Yang & Minghui Sun & Hanmei Liu & Lina Yang, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Adolescent Parents on Free Sugar and Influencing Factors about Recognition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Tanya Nieri & Arianna Zimmer & Jai Mica Vaca & Alison Tovar & Ann Cheney, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Research on Non-Maternal Caregivers’ Feeding of Children 0–3 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Zhang, Ying & Li, Ruotong & Zhao, Qiran & Fan, Shenggen, 2023. "The impact of peer effect on students' consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages- instrumental variable evidence from north China," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).

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