Evaluation of Performance of Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) program in Two Health Care Facilities in Keffi, Nasarawa State Nigeria.

Abstract

The accelerated nutrition results in Nigeria (ANRIN) program aims to accelerate nutrition results in Nigeria. The goal of the accelerated nutrition results in Nigeria (ANRIN) program is to achieve rapid and effective nutritional outcomes among malnourished children. This study evaluates the performance of the ANRIN program in two health care facilities in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 500 children aged 6-59 months were enrolled for a period of 18 months (comprising of 3 semesters). The children were subjected to four nutritional intervention components, namely; Zinc/ORS, Micronutrient powder, Deworming tablet, and Vitamin A supplementation. There was 36% improvement in nutritional status at 3^rd semester compared to 10% at 1^st semester following Zinc/ORS administration.  Moreover, micronutrient powder significantly improved to 103% at 3^rd semester as against 18% and 25% in first and second semesters. For deworming, there was 32% improvement over the first and second semesters. Finally, Vitamin A supplementation showed an elevated level in nutritional status of 250% compared to the 60% and 125% obtained at first and second semesters. The program was found to improved nutrition outcomes in both healthcare facilities in children under 5 years. Additionally, the program was determined to be easily implementable and cost-effective.  Findings of the study have significant impact for Nigerian nutrition initiatives as well as those in other nations dealing with comparable issues. Improved nutrition outcomes and, eventually, greater general health for Nigerian communities can result from more study and the ANRIN program's implementation.
Keywords: Malnutrition, ANRIN, nutritional status, Children, 6-59 months