Impact on Health and Nutrition Outcomes in Sindh Province, Pakistan

Abstract

We independently conducted the impact assessment of the Tawana Pakistan Project (a school?based feeding programme to improve the nutritional status of primary school girls in impoverished rural districts of Pakistan). The evaluation was conducted among school?going girls in four districts of Sindh, Pakistan. Pre? and post?intervention data was collected for anthropometric measurements, nutritional status and physical examination. Paired analysis of 1,028 girls (5–12 years) was undertaken using McNemar's test. 1 Our findings revealed a significant association of the school?based nutrition programme with reductions in the proportion of wasting (p<0.0001; CI 12.2%–15.7%) and underweight (p<0.0001; CI 9.2%–14.5%) while no association was established for stunting (p = 0.0817; CI 0.3%–5.5%). The results support the potential for such programmes in improving the nutritional status of primary school girls in impoverished areas and gains in health and improved growth.