Long-term Effectiveness and Implementation of the Meals, Education, and Gardens for In-School Adolescents Program

Launched by HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH (HSPH) · Jul 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new school program in Dodoma, Tanzania, designed to improve the nutrition and health of teenagers aged 14 to 17. The program includes several supports such as healthy school meals, nutrition education, growing vegetables at school, community workshops, weekly iron and folic acid supplements, and yearly treatment for worms that can affect health. The goal is to see if this program can reduce problems like anemia (a condition where the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells) and underweight in adolescents over one year. The study will compare four schools using the program with two schools that do not, involving about 125 students and their mothers or female guardians from each school.

If you are a student in Form 1 or 2, speak Swahili, and have a parent or guardian willing to give permission, you might be eligible to participate. Mothers or female guardians of these students can also take part. Participants will be asked to complete surveys and may join group discussions or interviews to share their experiences. Teachers, farmers, and school staff involved in the program will also provide feedback to help researchers understand how well the program works and what challenges it faces. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to help improve adolescent health through practical, school-based nutrition support.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• 1. Adolescent Quantitative Survey:
• • 1. Student enrolled in Form 1 or 2 in a participating school
• • 2. Between the ages of 14-17
• • 3. Parent or guardian provides consent for the adolescent
• • 4. Adolescent provides assent
• • 5. Fluent in Swahili
• 2. Adolescent Qualitative Focus Group Discussion (FGD):
• • 1. Student enrolled in Form 1 or 2 in a participating school
• • 2. Between the ages of 14-17
• • 3. Identified by their teacher as a suitable candidate for the focus group
• • 4. Parent or guardian provides consent for the adolescent
• • 5. Adolescent provides assent
• • 6. Fluent in Swahili
• 3. Mother Quantitative Survey and Qualitative FGD:
• • 1. Mother or female guardian of participating adolescent
• • 2. Provides informed consent
• • 3. Fluent in Swahili
• 4. Focal Teacher Qualitative Semi-Structured Interview (SSI):
• • 1. Teacher facilitating the meal, garden, education, and supplementation interventions
• • 2. Provides informed consent
• • 3. Fluent in Swahili
• 5. Smallholder Farmer Qualitative SSI:
• • 1. Farmers involved in the provision of local produce for school feeding
• • 2. Provides informed consent
• • 3. Fluent in Swahili or English
• 6. Agricultural Extension Worker Qualitative SSI:
• • 1. Extension workers involved in school garden and community workshops
• • 2. Provides informed consent
• • 3. Fluent in Swahili
• 7. School Administrator Qualitative SSI:
• • 1. School administrators involved in the intervention
• • 2. Provides informed consent
• • 3. Fluent in Swahili
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Those who do not meet the above listed inclusion criteria.