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International Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics Volume 4 (2018), Article ID 4:IJCND-138, 7 pages
https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-8171/2018/138
Review Article
Ready-to-Use Therapeutic and Supplementary Foods in Ethiopia from 2006-2018: Scoping Review

Getahun Ersino, Susan J. Whiting* and Carol J. Henry

College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Sciences Building (E-Wing), University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada
Prof. Susan J. Whiting, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Sciences Building (E-Wing), University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada; E-mail: susan.whiting@usask.ca
10 November 2018; 01 December 2018; 04 December 2018
Ersino G, Whiting SJ, Henry CJ (2018) Ready-to-Use Therapeutic and Supplementary Foods in Ethiopia from 2006-2018: Scoping Review. Int J Clin Nutr Diet 4: 138. doi: https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-8171/2018/138
Funding for this study was provided by the Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Ready-to-Use Foods (RUFs) revolutionized treatment of acute malnutrition. Lipid-based Nutrient supplements (LNS) complement diets in the prevention of chronic undernutrition. We conducted a scoping review to understand Ethiopian uses of RUFs to inform future efforts by various parties engaged in formulation, production and delivery of RUFs.
Methods: We searched PUBMED, MEDLINE and GOOGLE for published articles on Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF) or LNS. We included all studies done in Ethiopia and published up to September 2018.
Results: Of 23 studies in this review; 18 had quantitative and five had qualitative or mixed approaches; 9 studies dealt with RUTFs and 9 studies dealt with RUSFs in treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition or in supplementing existing diet to prevent chronic undernutrition. One study explored adherence to nutrition support programs of HIV-infected adults and another assessed supply-chain factors affecting availability of supplies. Three studies dealt with formulation and acceptability of novel RUTF or RUSF products from local ingredients. Fifteen of the 23 studies dealt with children with severe or moderate acute malnutrition whereas seven dealt with HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy.
Conclusions: RUFs are integral to management of acute malnutrition in Ethiopia, particularly among young children. A growing interest in the use of RUFs among HIV positive patients was noted. Challenges included food sharing, trading of RUFs as commodity, high cost of standard RUFs, stigma associated with RUF use, and disliking the taste of RUFs. These issues warrant the attention of nutrition support program providers and of industry in product development.