Community health workers improve child nutrition in the Philippines
Official title: The Impact of Community Health Workers on Child Malnutrition in the Philippines - A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by International Care Ministries, Philippines · NCT05774314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether community health workers can help reduce child malnutrition in very poor households in the Philippines by providing health education and services.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Months to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 7650 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | International Care Ministries, Philippines Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Bohol and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 11, 2023 |
| Main results expected | March 2025 |
| Study ends | May 2025 |
| Registry record updated | February 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05774314 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are families living in ultra-poverty with children who are at risk of malnutrition.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have previously participated in ICM programs, except for savings group members, may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a community health worker (CHW) program called 'Flourish', implemented by the International Care Ministries (ICM) in the Philippines. The program targets households living in ultra-poverty and involves a 15-week poverty alleviation initiative called 'Transform', which provides health and livelihood education. Participants from these households form savings groups and elect a CHW who is trained to provide health services, screen for illnesses, and deliver health commodities to their community. The study aims to assess the impact of these CHWs on reducing child malnutrition in their communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce child malnutrition rates in ultra-poor households in the Philippines.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success with community health worker interventions in improving health outcomes, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants in the study must meet at least one of the criteria: * Transform program participant and member of the savings group formed at the end of Transform * Nominated by a savings group member to participate in the study * Nominated by the local public health unit (based on confirmed malnutrition status) to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Except for members of the savings group, households cannot participate in the study if they have previously received ICM programs.
Where it's running
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Icm
Bohol, Philippines Recruiting -
Icm
Dipolog City, Philippines Recruiting -
Icm
Dumaguete, Philippines Recruiting -
Icm
Koronadal, Philippines Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lincoln L Lau, PhD — University of Toronto
- Study coordinator: Lincoln L Lau, PhD
- Email: lincoln.lau@utoronto.ca
- Phone: 6478520288
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.