Complementary Feeding Social and Behavior Change Communication for Fathers and Mothers Improves Children's Consumption of Fish and Eggs and Minimum Meal Frequency in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Fathers are key influencers of complementary feeding practices, but few studies in low- and middle-income countries have measured the effects of complementary feeding social and behavior change communication (SBCC) targeted at both fathers and mothers. Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure the effects of an SBCC intervention on children's dietary diversity (primary outcome) and other complementary feeding indicators, fathers' and mothers' complementary feeding knowledge, and fathers' support for complementary feeding (secondary outcomes). Methods: The 12-mo intervention in Kaduna State, Nigeria, engaged parents through community meetings, religious services, home visits from community health extension workers (CHEWs), mobile phone messages (fathers only), and mass media. Cross-sectional population-based surveys of cohabiting fathers and mothers with a child aged 6-23 mo were conducted, and regression models were used to compare results at baseline (n = 497) and endline (n = 495). Results: Children's minimum dietary diversity did not change from baseline to endline (62% to 65%, P = 0.441). Children's consumption of fish (36% to 44%, P = 0.012) and eggs (8% to 20%, P = 0.004) and minimum meal frequency (58% to 73%, P