Table 4 Summary table of study interventions

Identifying AM

CVs identifying children highly susceptible to AM (Bisimwa et al.) [38]

Community-based screening by CHWs for AM (Isanaka et al.) [54]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

HEWs diagnosing MAM, uncomplicated SAM, and complicated SAM using WHO growth standards and definitions (Getachew et al.) [42]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CHWs screening and following up for malnutrition services (Ayoya et al., 2012) [51]

Monitoring AM

cGMP programme delivered by illiterate CHWs (Mayhew et al.) [40]

CVs monitoring the growth of children through conducting community weighting sessions (Bisimwa et al.) [38]

CVs monitoring the growth of children through conducting community weighting sessions (Bisimwa et al.) [38]

CVs monitoring the growth of children through conducting community weighting sessions (Bisimwa et al.) [38]

Managing severe wasting

Community-based management of severe wasting (CMSW) (Renzaho et al.) [52]

Community-based management of severe wasting (CMSW) (Renzaho et al.) [52]

Treating AM

CHWs treating uncomplicated SAM defined as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CBDs adhering to a simplified SAM treatment protocol for uncomplicated SAM (Van Boetzelaer et al.) [50]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CHW-delivered treatment for uncomplicated SAM (Rogers et al.) [53]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CHWs screening for and treating uncomplicated SAM defined by national protocol as MUAC < 11.5 cm, WHZ < −3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2017) [45]

CBDs adhering to a simplified SAM treatment protocol for uncomplicated SAM (Van Boetzelaer et al.) [50]

CHWs treating uncomplicated SAM as defined as children 6–59 months, MUAC < 115 cm, WHZ <  − 3, and/or nutritional oedema (Alvarez Moran et al., 2018) [46]

CBDs adhering to a simplified SAM treatment protocol for uncomplicated SAM (Van Boetzelaer et al.) [50]

CBDs adhering to a simplified SAM treatment protocol for uncomplicated SAM (Van Boetzelaer et al.) [50]

CHWs treating uncomplicated SAM with different levels of supervision (Charle-Cuéllar et al.) [47]

RMNCAH + N community-based services, including community-based referral and treatment of AM (Tappis et al.) [55]

CHW-delivered treatment for uncomplicated SAM (Rogers et al.) [53]

IYCF BCC

VHW-delivered BCC to mothers on EBF, IYCF, & WASH (Desai et al.) [49]

CHWs with enhanced IYCF training conducting outreach counselling on IYCF (Addo et al.) [36]

CHWs and community leaders delivering intensive, community-based BCC on IYCF (Kim et al.) [39]

CHV-led monthly nutrition sessions on breastfeeding, EBF, water treatment, and IYCF for poor women, attendance incentivized with cash (Kurdi et al.) [32]

cGMP programme delivered by illiterate CHWs (Mayhew et al.) [40]

CHWs and community leaders delivering intensive, community-based BCC on IYCF (Kim et al.) [39]

CHWs delivering community-based, complementary feeding BCC (Ayalew et al.) [33]

HEWs delivering a BCC programme on CBN, IYCF, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture (Worku et al.) [41]

cGMP programme delivered by illiterate CHWs (Mayhew et al.) [40]

cGMP programme delivered by illiterate CHWs (Mayhew et al.) [40]

CHWs-delivered complementary feeding BCC (Ayalew et al.) [33]

HEW-delivered BCC programme on CBN, IYCF, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture (Worku et al.) [41]

VHW-delivered BCC to mothers on EBF, IYCF, & WASH (Desai et al.) [49]

CHWs promoting EBF through door-to-door visits and community meetings (Balaluka et al.) [44]

VHW-delivered BCC for complementary feeding and use of locally available complementary foods (Paul et al.) [48]

VHW-delivered BCC for complementary feeding and use of locally available complementary foods (Paul et al.) [48]

CHV-led monthly nutrition sessions on breastfeeding, EBF, water treatment, and IYCF for poor women, attendance incentivized with cash (Kurdi et al.) [32]

VHW-delivered BCC for complementary feeding methods and use of locally availability complementary foods (Paul et al.) [48]

CHWs promoting EBF through door-to-door visits and community meetings (Balaluka et al.) [44]

IYCF BCC & supplementary feeding

VHW-delivered BCC for complementary feeding methods, use of locally availability complementary foods, and use of LNS (Paul et al.) [48]

Facility-based supplementary feeding, plus nutrition counselling on IYCF and cooking by community elders, for children with moderate wasting (Rajabi et al.) [43]

Enhanced IYCF programme including community- and facility-based counseling on WASH, SQ-LNS, and IYCF; SQ-LNS distributions; and additional investments in the CHW platform including improved supervision, training, resources, and role clarity. (Locks et al.) [37]

Enhanced IYCF programme including community- and facility-based counseling on WASH, SQ-LNS, and IYCF; SQ-LNS distributions; and additional investments in the CHW platform including improved supervision, training, resources, and role clarity. (Locks et al.) [37]

RUTF provision, plus antibiotics, plus nutrition counselling on IYCF and cooking by community elders, for children with high-risk MAM (Lelijveld et al.) [35]

Status quo CNW BCC based on standard Madagascan growth monitoring and nutrition education protocol, plus intensive CNW-delivered nutrition counselling, plus CHW-distributed LNS to children, plus LNS to pregnant and lactating women, plus CHW-distributed early children stimulation and parenting messages (Stewart et al.) [31]

Enhanced IYCF programme including community- and facility-based counseling on WASH, SQ-LNS, and IYCF; SQ-LNS distributions; and additional investments in the CHW platform including improved supervision, training, resources, and role clarity. (Locks et al.) [37]

Integrated management of AM through mother peer-counseling care groups with nutrition counselling on-site and at home visits, treatment of MAM with fortified blended flour, and treatment of SAM with RUTF (Maust et al.) [34]