Background

Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) are food-based supplements aimed at preventing malnutrition in children aged 6-24 months. In areas where vulnerable populations face nutrient deficiencies in their typical diets, these supplements enhance children's health and growth. SQ-LNS for young children typically provide the daily recommended intake of essential nutrients and can be either mixed with home-cooked meals or eaten directly. However, there is limited evidence on the impact of integrated nutritional activities to increase vaccination coverage among young children.

Aim

Our aim is to assess the integrated impact of jointly programming monthly supplementation with small-quantity lipid based nutrient supplements with immunisation services in Chad and Niger.

The OptiMAx project is focused on integrated nutritional activities to increase immunisation coverage in Chad and Niger. We investigate the impact of the OptiMAx programme through process evaluation, gender analysis, infectious disease modelling, and health economic analysis.

Process evaluation

We conduct process evaluation to understand the functioning of the intervention, including how it works, for whom and where. Using mixed methods and a gender lens perspective, we examine the implementation, mechanisms of impact, and contextual factors.

Gender analysis

We assess the gendered perceptions, norms and dynamics of the intervention benefits and gender-related barriers to access, mobility and decision-making on the intervention uptake.

Infectious disease modelling

We develop mathematical models to quantify the impact of small-quantity lipid based nutrient supplements on reducing the burden of both undernutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases by interrupting the cycle of undernutrition and infection.

Health economics

We estimate the implementation costs associated with the intervention and the costs averted due to the intervention’s impact.