Study interventions
The details of the interventions, the nutritional composition of the milk–cereal mixes and the implementation strategy have been previously published in detailThe intervention delivery team visited households to provide weekly supplies of milk–cereal sachets to mothers in both the intervention groups. During the weekly visits, this team gathered information on compliance by collecting packets of the mix and reinforced intake. The team collected information on the number of empty sachets and number of sachets with some of the mix remaining. As part of the study processes, the team collected information in their diaries on the consumed amount in the collected sachets, i.e. completely consumed, not at all consumed, half to three-fourth or less than half of the content consumed. This information was used to identify subjects with low compliance, and they were then visited by the team supervisor to discuss barriers to optimal intake. Some measures taken to prevent intra-household sharing were that the milk–cereal mix was promoted for use for young children and not for older children or adults. Further, in order to prevent sharing, biscuits/cookies were provided for other children in the household.