2.7. Outcome Measures and Covariates
MDD
ADVERSE EVENTS, ADVERSE EVENT
Primary outcome: two anthropometric measures were used to assess intervention effectiveness: change in mean LAZ and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) from baseline to 3-month follow-up. FRAs were trained and standardized according to FANTA and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for anthropometric measurements. They measured the recumbent’s length and weight with minimal clothing using standardized techniques [Secondary outcome: We used three measurements that indicated dietary diversity based on a 24 h recall. We used the WHO infant food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), piloted and adapted by the WASH Benefits study [Minimum dietary diversity (MDD): the proportion of children who received food from five or more food categories out of the eight food groups on the previous day. To keep the scores comparable between the groups, the supplied yogurt was not considered while estimating the MDD score for the yogurt-plus group.Minimum meal frequency (MMF): the proportion of children who received solid, semi-solid, or soft foods the minimum number of times or more on the previous day. The minimum acceptable number is two or more times until eight months and three or more times thereafter.Minimum acceptable diet (MAD): the proportion of children who meet both MDD and MMF scores.Covariates: Most covariates, such as child gender, birth outcome, birth order, parents’ education, and household size, were measured at baseline before randomisation. Two modules regarding household food insecurity and wealth assessment, adapted from the WASH Benefits study [Adverse outcomes: Severe adverse events were defined as the hospitalization of index children for any reason. If any index child was found hospitalized during routine study activities or reported to the study staff, a severe adverse event report was submitted to the icddr,b Ethics Review Board within 24 h of the first contact with the research team. After following up on the case, a report was submitted stating the final outcome. 