STUDY PROTOCOL Open Access The MAM’Out project: a randomized

controlled trial to assess multiannual and seasonal cash transfers for the prevention of acute malnutrition in children under 36 months in Burkina Faso Audrey Tonguet-Papucci1,2,3,4*, Lieven Huybregts2,5, Myriam Ait Aissa1, Jean-François Huneau3,4 and Patrick Kolsteren2,6 Background: Wasting is a public health issue but evidence gaps remain concerning preventive strategies not primarily based on food products. Cash transfers, as part of safety net approach, have potential to prevent under-nutrition. However, most of the cash transfer programs implemented and scientifically evaluated do not have a clear nutritional objective, which leads to a lack of evidence regarding their nutritional benefits. Methods/Design: The MAM’Out research project aims at evaluating a seasonal and multiannual cash transfer program to prevent acute malnutrition in children under 36 months, in terms of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in the Tapoa province (Eastern region of Burkina Faso, Africa). The program is targeted to economically vulnerable households with children less than 1 year old at the time of inclusion. Cash is distributed to mothers and the transfers are unconditional, leading to beneficiaries ’ self-determination on the use of cash. The study is designed as a two-ar