Effectiveness of specialised nutritious food, local diet promotion and social and behaviour change communication in preventing stunting among children in Afghanistan: a mixed-method study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Stunting is a global public health challenge, resulting from chronic undernutrition that begins in utero and continues through the first 2 years of life. In Afghanistan, the burden is severe, with nearly 45% of children under five being stunted. Maternal undernutrition, suboptimal breastfeeding, inadequate complementary feeding and other risks are the major contributors towards stunting. Despite ongoing nutrition interventions, evidence on integrated and context-specific approaches in Afghanistan is scarce. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of specialised nutritious food, promotion of local diets through local nutritious seasonal foods, appropriate maternal, infant and young child feeding practices and social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) to preve

SUBMITTER: Khan GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12911812 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature