Effect of Household Use of Multiple Micronutrient-fortified Bouillon on Micronutrient Status Among Women and Children in Two Districts in the Northern Region of Ghana

Background: Micronutrient (MN) deficiencies are severe and widespread in West Africa, particularly among young children and women of reproductive age. Bouillon is a promising food fortification vehicle because the product is centrally processed on large scale, consumed by most households in West African countries (even rural, poor households), and consumed by most members of the household in relatively constant amounts. However, several important research questions remain regarding whether the use of fortified bouillon would be feasible and effective for preventing or reducing micronutrient deficiencies in communities where such deficiencies are common. Specifically, no studies have assessed the impacts of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon on micronutrient status. The West Africa Condiment Micronutrient Innovation Trial (CoMIT) Project aims to address this gap, to inform future discussions around fortification of bouillon cubes and related products. Objective: This study aims to assess the impacts of household use of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes (containing iodine in addition to vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc), compared to control bouillon cubes fortified with iodine only, on: 1. Micronutrient status among women 15-49 years of age and children 2-5 years of age after 9 months of intervention 2. Hemoglobin concentrations among women 15-49 years of age and children 2-5 years of age after 9 months of intervention 3. Breast milk micronutrient concentrations among lactating women 4-18 months postpartum after 3 months of intervention Methods: This randomized, controlled doubly-masked trial will be conducted in the Kumbungu and Tolon districts in the Northern Region of Ghana, where prior data indicate that deficiencies in the selected nutrients are common. Potential participants will be: 1) non-pregnant non-lactating women of reproductive age (15 - 49 years old), 2) children 2-5 years of age, and 3) non-pregnant lactating wo