Unconditional seasonal cash transfer increases intake of high-nutritional-value foods in young Burkinabe children: Results of 24-hour dietary recall surveys within the moderate acute malnutrition out (MAM'Out) randomized controlled trial

Background: Cash transfer programs have the potential to improve dietary intake by improving accessibility to food. However, quantitative data on the impact of cash transfer programs on children's energy and nutrient intakes are lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of seasonal unconditional cash transfers on children's energy, micro- and macronutrient, and food group intakes during the lean season in Burkina Faso. Methods: Within the framework of the MAM'Out (Moderate Acute Malnutrition Out) cluster-randomized controlled trial, two 24-h dietary recall surveys were conducted in July and August 2014. Daily energy and macro- and micronutrient intakes, breastfeeding practices, and food group consumption were analyzed for 322 children aged 14-27 mo from an intervention group (benefiting from unconditional cash transfer during the lean season in 2013 and 2014) and a control group by using mixed linear, logistic, and Poisson regression models or a γ-generalized linear model with log-link. A dietary diversity score was calculated on the basis of 7 food groups. Results: Unconditional cash transfers during the lean season improved the diets of rural children through a higher consumption of eggs (11.3 ± 1.55 compared with 3.25 ± 0.79 g; P < 0.001), fat (20.6 ± 0.80 compared with 16.5 ± 0.89 g; P < 0.01), and vitamin B-12 (0.40 ± 0.02 compared with 0.34 ± 0.02 mg; P < 0.001) compared with controls and higher proportions of children consuming dairy products (OR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.48, 11.6; P < 0.05), flesh foods (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.70; P < 0.05), and iron-rich or iron-fortified foods (OR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.20, 4.13; P < 0.05). No difference was found in energy intake between the 2 groups. The minimum dietary diversity of two-thirds of the children who benefited from cash transfers was adequate compared with only one-third in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Unconditional seasonal cash transfer increases intakes of high-nutritional-value foods in Burkinabe children aged 14-27 mo. As such, their use can be recommended in actions addressing children's dietary intake during the lean season.