Replication Data for: MAMA SASHA Baseline Survey

The Mama SASHA baseline survey is a key part of a project evaluation strategy aimed at assessing the impact of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) on the health and nutritional status of women and children aged between 6 and 23 months and pregnant women. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions with the highest estimated prevalence rates of sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and the risk is greatest among children less than five years of age and pregnant & lactating women. Introducing OFSP as an agriculture and local community action linked to ante-natal health services (ANC) for pregnant women aims at improving and sustaining health and productivity. Past studies have shown potential of the OFSP to improve the vitamin A status of children less than 5 years of age. The baseline survey was conducted from March to May 2011 in Bungoma and Busia counties of Western Province of Kenya. This was a proof-of-concept study in which there were 4 intervention health facility catchment areas and 4 control areas. A list of qualifying facilities for consideration was constructed and facilities randomly selected and assigned to either the control or intervetnion category. This baseline survey presents data on; household demographic and socio economic characteristics, women knowledge and attitudes on vitamin A, nutrition, health care and sweetpotatoes, household farming & crop production, vitamin A rich-food consumption among the women and children aged 6-23 months, ANC and maternity utilization, nutritional status of the women and the children aged 6-23 months.