Impact of Cash Transfers in Health and Nutrition Interventions During the First 1,000 Days of a Child in Mali

Introduction: The first 1,000 days, from conception to the child’s second birthday, represent a critical period for growth, cognitive development, and survival. In a context where child malnutrition remains a major issue in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Mali, this study evaluates the impact of cash transfers on the first 1,000 days of the child.

Methods: The study was conducted among 264 women and 151 children aged 6 to 23 months in Mali (Kayes), selected randomly across four health districts at the household level linked to 87 health centers. The study analyzes the combined impact of healthcare and nutrition services, conditional cash transfers, and distribution of the Plumpy’Doz® nutritional supplement on maternal and child health.

Results: The results show a significant improvement in health practices.

Attendance at community health centers was significantly higher in the Cash groups (p < 0.001) compared with the Plumpy’Doz® group and women’s decision-making autonomy reached 53.4% in the combined group (p = 0.0001).

Vaccination coverage was higher in the Plumpy’Doz® groups (p = 0.001), while nutritional screening rates were significantly higher in the Plumpy’Doz® group (p < 0.0001).

Nutritionally, the study revealed a reduction of over 7% in stunting and a decrease of 7.7% in global acute malnutrition. Analysis of dietary diversity indicated a significant improvement in the Cash and Combination groups, suggesting a direct effect of cash transfers on access to more varied diets.

Conclusion: The combination of financial support and nutritional supplementation produces a synergistic effect that strengthens both healthcare utilization, women’s empowerment, and children’s nutritional status. Integrating cash transfers into health and nutrition interventions during the first 1,000 days of life represents a promising intervention for addressing chronic malnutrition and holds potential for replication in other regions of Mali and similar African settings.