Evaluation of school meal coverage in 4 departments of Paraguay. During 2016-2018

Introduction: The school meal contributes to nutrition and school performance, it is important to know its reach. Objective: To evaluate school meals in Concepcion, Cordillera, Paraguari and Central, in terms of implementation and reach. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive, observational study of awarded contracts for school meals between 2016-2018 in Concepcion, Cordillera, Paraguari and Central. We characterized the included institutions, covered days of the school calendar (180 days) and number of beneficiaries. Results: 15 contracts were included. In Concepcion, 90% of schools were public institutions, 6% private, 3% without data; in Cordillera 88% were public, 8% private, 4% without data; in Paraguari 91% were public, 3% private, the rest without data; in Central 12% were private, 11% without data, the rest public. In Concepcion there were 30,112 beneficiaries in 2016/2017 and 27,514 in 2018, in Cordillera it increased from 37,167 (2017) to 44,375 (2018); in Paraguari it varied from 30,339 (2016) to 29,761 (2018), in Central there were 180,535 beneficiaries in 2017-2018. In Concepcion in 2016/2017 meals were planned for 80 days, 133 days in 2018, in Cordillera 160 days in 2017, 117 days in 2018; in Paraguari in 2016 there were 122 days, 110 in 2017 and 117 days in 2018; In Central there were 216 days in 2017-2018. The beneficiaries covered according to the Single Student Registry in 2018 were 78.5% in Concepcion, 87% in Cordillera, 90% in Paraguari, 75% in Central. Conclusions: In the provision of school meals, the majority of schools were public institutions, there was a decrease in beneficiaries in 2018 except in Cordillera. 2/3 of the registered beneficiaries were included and meals were provided for just over half the school year.