Sampling and randomization
BLIND
We used a multistage sampling technique followed by a systematic random sampling technique to identify mothers with index infants and young children. In the first step, one woreda (district) was selected by simple random sampling (the lottery method). Second, lists of all kebeles (clusters) in the selected districts were compiled from the district administrative offices. A total of 36 non-adjacent clusters geographically accessible from 88 zones (small administrative units) were purposefully selected by listing them in alphabetical order, and a list of random numbers was generated in Microsoft Excel 2016 and fixed by being copied as “value” next to the alphabetical list of zones. According to the production, random numbers were placed in an ascending order. The last 18 zones were chosen as control clusters, and the first 18 served as intervention clusters. Third, 516 mothers were recruited using health extension workers’ family registration books to find mothers who had infants and children less than 24 months of age. An Excel sheet was formed from the logbook, and the households were selected using simple random sampling techniques.Mothers within the zones served as the unit of observation, and zones in the kebeles served as the unit of randomization for the trials. We assigned the zones by simple randomization with a 1:1 allocation to either the control or intervention groups. The intervention assignment was concealed from the interviewers who collected the outcome data. Because of the nature of the intervention, mothers cannot be blind. All mothers, health extension workers, members of the women’s health army, and community volunteers were blind to the study’s hypothesis. The general objectives of the study were described in the agreement for data collection.