Effectiveness of Financial Relief Interventions for the Prevention of Wasting in Children Up to 5 Years at Risk of Wasting and Nutritional Oedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Rehana A Salam, Komal A Rahim, Zahra A Padhani, Anna Ali, Jai K Das, Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Zohra S Lassi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Context: Childhood malnutrition persists at alarming rates globally despite the existing preventative and therapeutic evidence-based interventions. Various financial relief strategies such as cash transfers and food vouchers have been evaluated for their effectiveness in improving access to and quality of effective interventions for improving the nutritional status of children.
Objective: In this review, we aimed to assess the impact of community-based financial relief interventions to prevent wasting among children up to 5 years at risk of wasting and nutritional oedema.
Data sources: We searched 9 databases from database conception until April 13, 2023, and included 5 studies (10 articles) evaluating the impact of community-based financial relief interventions for preventing wasting among children up to 5 years.
Data extraction: Two review authors independently extracted data, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion until consensus or by consulting a third reviewer if required.
Data analysis: Three studies assessed the impact of conditional cash transfers; 2 studies evaluated unconditional cash transfers, and 1 study assessed the impact of food vouchers. We found that the impact of conditional cash transfers on the prevalence of wasting, weight-for-height z score (WHZ), weight-for-age z score, and underweight is uncertain; however these cash transfers probably reduce the prevalence of severe wasting (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.0; 1 study; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE]: moderate certainty evidence). The impacts of unconditional standard cash provision on the prevalence of wasting and severe wasting are uncertain; however, unconditional double-cash provisions may reduce wasting with little or no impact on severe wasting, WHZ, and mid-upper arm circumference. For food vouchers, the evidence suggests an uncertain impact on the prevalence of wasting and severe wasting.
Conclusions: Evidence on the effectiveness of community-based financial relief interventions in preventing wasting among children is scarce. Some positive impact of conditional cash transfers and unconditional double cash provision on the prevalence of wasting has been demonstrated; however, relative effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability need further exploration.
期刊介绍:
Nutrition Reviews is a highly cited, monthly, international, peer-reviewed journal that specializes in the publication of authoritative and critical literature reviews on current and emerging topics in nutrition science, food science, clinical nutrition, and nutrition policy. Readers of Nutrition Reviews include nutrition scientists, biomedical researchers, clinical and dietetic practitioners, and advanced students of nutrition.