Tailoring Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) to Improve Child Feeding and Use of Indigenous Preserved Foods in Drought-Affected Kenya: Considerations for Climate Shocks.

Abstract

This program assessment explored the use of indigenous preserved animal-source foods to improve complementary feeding practices, to identify the roles of mothers, fathers, and elder women in supporting infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and to develop recommendations for program implementation. The Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) approach, food frequency, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions methodologies were used to collect information on complementary feeding and use of indigenous preserved animal-source foods during a program assessment. Data was collected during Round 1-dry season and Round 2-prolonged drought. Sixty in-depth interviews were carried out with mothers of children 6-23 months of age, 12 elder women, and six focus groups with 26 fathers for a total of 98 program participants in pastoral communities in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties, Kenya. Program sites were affected by limited access and availability of animal-source foods and worsened household food insecurity. Nearly all mothers introduced camel milk, often fed raw, as a first food, before 1 year of age. Preserved meat and milk products were often prohibited or fed to older children due to cultural beliefs and norms. Most mothers experienced greater success in implementing TIPs recommendations during Round 1 versus Round 2 and stopped chewing food for the child, gave preserved meat, and fed eggs. Gendered divisions of labor and social norms around roles of fathers, elder women and mothers can hinder IYCF. Future programming should plan for climate-induced shocks, including amplifying indigenous food preservation and addressing gender and social norms to improve IYCF.