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Who we are

With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

Ahmed Akhter

researcher spotlight

Akhter Ahmed

Akhter Ahmed is a Senior Research Fellow in the IFPRI’s Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit and Country Representative for IFPRI Bangladesh. He has worked on strategies for agricultural and rural development, social protection, and women’s empowerment to reduce poverty, food insecurity, and undernutrition in developing countries including Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Malawi, the Philippines, and Turkey.

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Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

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IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

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partnerships

UNICEF, a United Nations agency, is an organization dedicated to saving children’s lives, defending their rights, and to helping them fulfil their potential. UNICEF focuses on such topics as child protection and inclusion, nutrition, education, and more. Their efforts to combat malnutrition include support for breastfeeding, appropriate complementary foods for infants over 6 months, and micronutrient supplementation for women and children.

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Projects

Alive and Thrive

Alive and Thrive

Alive & Thrive is a multi-year initiative that began in 2009 to combat global child undernutrition through interventions to support appropriate infant and young child……

Publications

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

The impacts of task shifting on the management and treatment of malnourished children in Northern Kenya: A cluster-randomized controlled trial

2024
Donfouet, Hermann Pythagore Pierre; Daniel, Tewoldeberhan; Wilunda, Calistus; Mwaniki, Elizabeth; Njiru, James; Keane, Emily; Schofield, Lily; Maina, Lucy; Kutondo, Edward; Agutu, Olivia
…more Okoth, Peter F.; Raburu, Judith; Samburu, Betty; Mwangi, Bonventure; Zerfu, Taddese Alemu; Khamadi, Jemimah Wekhomba; Cuellar, Pilar Charle; Kavoo, Daniel; Karimurio, Lydia; Matanda, Charles; Mutua, Alex; Gichohi, Grace; Chabi, Martin; Codjia, Patrick; Oteyza, Saul Guerrero; Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth
Details

The impacts of task shifting on the management and treatment of malnourished children in Northern Kenya: A cluster-randomized controlled trial

Treating children with acute malnutrition can be challenging, particularly regarding access to healthcare facilities during treatment. Task shifting, a strategy of transferring specific tasks to health workers with shorter training and fewer qualifications, is being considered as an effective approach to enhancing health outcomes in primary healthcare. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating the treatment of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers into integrated community case management in two sub-counties in northern Kenya (Loima and Isiolo). We conducted a two-arm non-inferiority cluster-randomized controlled trial across 20 community health units. Participants were children aged 6–59 months with uncomplicated acute malnutrition. In the intervention group, community health volunteers used simplified tools and protocols to identify and treat eligible children at home and provided the usual integrated community case management package. In the control group, community health volunteers provided the usual integrated community case management package only (screening and referral of the malnourished children to the health facilities). The primary outcome was recovery (MUAC ≥12.5 cm for 2 consecutive weeks). Results show that children in the intervention group were more likely to recover than those in the control group [73 vs 50; risk difference (RD) = 26% (95% CI 12 to 40) and risk ratio (RR) = 2 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.9)]. The probability of defaulting was lower in the intervention group than in the control group: RD = −21% (95% CI −31 to −10) and RR = 0.3 (95% CI 0.2 to 0.5). The intervention reduced the length of stay by about 13 days, although this was not statistically significant and varied substantially by sub-county. Integrating the treatment of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers into the integrated community case management programme led to better malnutrition treatment outcomes. There is a need to integrate acute malnutrition treatment into integrated community case management and review policies to allow community health volunteers to treat uncomplicated acute malnutrition.

Year published

2024

Authors

Donfouet, Hermann Pythagore Pierre; Daniel, Tewoldeberhan; Wilunda, Calistus; Mwaniki, Elizabeth; Njiru, James; Keane, Emily; Schofield, Lily; Maina, Lucy; Kutondo, Edward; Agutu, Olivia; Okoth, Peter F.; Raburu, Judith; Samburu, Betty; Mwangi, Bonventure; Zerfu, Taddese Alemu; Khamadi, Jemimah Wekhomba; Cuellar, Pilar Charle; Kavoo, Daniel; Karimurio, Lydia; Matanda, Charles; Mutua, Alex; Gichohi, Grace; Chabi, Martin; Codjia, Patrick; Oteyza, Saul Guerrero; Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth

Citation

Donfouet, Hermann Pythagore Pierre; Daniel, Tewoldeberhan; Wilunda, Calistus; Mwaniki, Elizabeth; Njiru, James; Zerfu, Taddese Alemu; et al. 2024. The impacts of task shifting on the management and treatment of malnourished children in Northern Kenya: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Health Policy and Planning 39(7): 710–721. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czae036

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Children; Community Involvement; Malnutrition; Policy Innovation; Risk

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czae036 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

A qualitative study of maternal and paternal parenting knowledge and practices in rural Mozambique

2024Ahun, Marilyn N.; Bliznashka, Lilia; Karuskina-Drivdale, Svetlana; Regina, Gino; Yousafzai, Aisha K.; Jeong, Joshua
Details

A qualitative study of maternal and paternal parenting knowledge and practices in rural Mozambique

Background: Providing nurturing care for young children is essential for promoting early child development (ECD). However, there is limited knowledge about how mothers and fathers across diverse contexts in sub-Saharan Africa care for their children and from whom they receive guidance and support in their caregiving roles. We aimed to examine caregivers’ nurturing care practices and sources of parenting knowledge in rural Mozambique. Methods: This is a secondary analysis using data from a qualitative evaluation of a pilot intervention to improve nurturing care for early child health and development within existing health systems. The evaluation was conducted across three primary care health facilities and their catchment areas in Nampula province, Mozambique. For this study, we analyzed data from in-depth interviews conducted with 36 caregivers (32 mothers and 4 fathers) to investigate mothers’ and fathers’ daily caregiving experiences. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Caregivers described various caregiving roles relating to general caregiving of young children (e.g., feeding, bathing, caring for child’s health) and stimulation (e.g., play and communication) activities. Mothers more commonly engaged in general caregiving activities than fathers, whereas both mothers and fathers engaged in stimulation activities. Other family members, including siblings, grandparents, and aunts/uncles, were also actively engaged in general caregiving activities. With respect to sources of parenting knowledge, caregivers received parenting guidance and support primarily from their own mothers/parents and facility-based health providers. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach involving caregivers and their context and reveal potential strategies to promote caregiving and ECD in rural Mozambique and similar contexts.

Year published

2024

Authors

Ahun, Marilyn N.; Bliznashka, Lilia; Karuskina-Drivdale, Svetlana; Regina, Gino; Yousafzai, Aisha K.; Jeong, Joshua

Citation

Ahun, Marilyn N.; Bliznashka, Lilia; Karuskina-Drivdale, Svetlana; Regina, Gino; Yousafzai, Aisha K.; and Jeong, Joshua. 2024. A qualitative study of maternal and paternal parenting knowledge and practices in rural Mozambique. BMC Public Health 24: 1778. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19291-2

Country/Region

Mozambique

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Parental Behaviour; Maternal Behaviour; Child Development; Fathers; Mothers

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19291-2 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Events

Virtual Event - Micronutrients in emergencies: How can we prevent an increase in hidden hunger?
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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June 9, 2020, 9:30 – 10:45 am

Virtual Event – Micronutrients in emergencies: How can we prevent an increase in hidden hunger?

The event video, presenter slides, podcast, and a blog will be available in the days following the event. The COVID-19 pandemic is transforming our world. We are seeing rapid changes in areas such as health care delivery, food security, agriculture, and international aid prioritization. In addition to the immediate impact to health and society, the […]

The changing challenges of hidden hunger: Micronutrients within the nutrition and development landscapes
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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February 3, 2020, 12:15 – 1:45 pm

The changing challenges of hidden hunger: Micronutrients within the nutrition and development landscapes

Current global challenges in malnutrition and other development goals call for integrated, multi-sectoral approaches focusing on the entire food system, leading to healthier and sustainable diets for all. Among these challenges is micronutrient deficiency, known as “hidden hunger.” Micronutrients—vitamins and minerals needed in only very small quantities but with huge impacts on human health and […]

What Lies Beneath: Women’s and Girls’ Wellbeing as a Critical Underpinning of India’s Nutritional Challenge
IFPRI Program/Country Event

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December 10, 2018, 9:00 – 5:00 pm

What Lies Beneath: Women’s and Girls’ Wellbeing as a Critical Underpinning of India’s Nutritional Challenge

In collaboration with BMGF, EPoD India at IFMR, Naandi Foundation and UNICEF, POSHAN (Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in India) will deliberate on the aspects of women’s and girls’ wellbeing that are critical for India’s nutritional challenge and look at the status of their wellbeing, globally and specifically in India. Click […]

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Blogs

What are kids watching online? How digital food marketing shapes children’s and adolescents’ diets
IFPRI Blog
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April 03, 2025

What are kids watching online? How digital food marketing shapes children’s and adolescents’ diets

By Gabriela Fretes and Jef L. Leroy

A study shows the influence of social media.

Reducing intimate partner violence through cash transfers: The next research frontier
IFPRI Blog
 | 
April 09, 2019

Reducing intimate partner violence through cash transfers: The next research frontier

By Angie Lee

Evidence shows cash transfers help to reduce intimate partner violence. A recent UN Women forum explored what comes next—including how to scale up existing programs.