Effectiveness of Community Nutrition Programmes in Reducing Acute Malnutrition Among Children Under Five in Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Acute malnutrition in children under five years of age remains a significant challenge in North East Nigeria, exacerbated by conflict displacement and food insecurity. Community-based nutrition programmes implemented by government and non-governmental organisations have been proposed as cost-effective interventions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of community nutrition programmes in reducing acute malnutrition among children under five in selected local government areas of Yobe State, North East Nigeria. A quasi-experimental design with pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments was used. Two hundred and fifty children aged six to fifty-nine months and their caregivers were enrolled across intervention and comparison communities. Anthropometric data were collected at baseline and at six months post-intervention. Programme activities included ready-to-use therapeutic food distribution, community-based management of acute malnutrition, and caregiver nutrition education sessions. Statistical analysis involved paired t-tests and ANCOVA. Results demonstrated significant reductions in the prevalence of global acute malnutrition in intervention communities compared to comparison communities. Caregiver knowledge and dietary diversity scores also improved significantly. Challenges identified included irregular supply of therapeutic foods and high caregiver attrition. The study recommends integration of community nutrition programmes into primary healthcare structures and sustained funding for therapeutic food supply chains in Yobe State. Keywords: acute malnutrition, community nutrition programmes, children under five, Yobe State, therapeutic feeding