Impact assessment of social behavioral change activities on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) of the nutrition program in the host community

AimsThe purposes of the impact assessment for the Social Behavioral Change (SBC) activities in the nutrition program in the host community were: to measure the impact of the Social Behavioral Change (SBC) activities to ensure the optimum infant and young child feeding (IYCF), especially on the pregnant and caregiver of under 2 years children on IYCF activities and to provide recommendations based on an overall assessment. Study designThe study was designed to review the secondary nutrition program performance data and conduct a cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection to gain deep insight into the impact of the SBC activities on changing the behavior of the target population. Place and Duration of StudyData was collected in the host community, where the coastal & the poorest people from the host community were staying and getting nutrition support in Moheshkhali and Pekua of Coxs Bazar district of Bangladesh. MethodologyA household survey was conducted to collect quantitative data from the project beneficiaries. This survey was tailored to gather relevant indicators and assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Quantitative data were collected from the beneficiaries through household surveys. We included 224 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and 227 caregivers of 0-59-month-old children (4 males and 447 females). Qualitative data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs-8; 8-10 females) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs-8; MtMSG members, nutrition and health staff, and participants from cooking demonstrations). ResultsA complete package of SBC approach to breaking the social stigma and barrier targeting the audience through different methods; for example, to improve the Infants and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators by providing IYCF messages through health and nutrition education, group messaging at IYCF corner, Community sensitization, meetings and workshops, mother-to-mother support groups, and IYCF counseling from health facilities. Complementary feeding cooking demonstration for hands-on learning can change the negative behavior of the targeted audience in a positive direction. In this study, we found that 61.2% of mothers changed one of the negative behaviors related to IYCF in a positive direction. All mothers knew the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, and 73.0% of mothers practiced it properly, which is higher than the current exclusive breastfeeding rate of 62.1% (IYCF Survey 2022 by ACF) (11). 52.8% of mothers ensured the minimum dietary diversity, and 35.8% ensured the Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) of complementary feeding for children 6-23 months, which came from the complete SBC approach to IYCF practices. ConclusionThis comprehensive study of secondary data review and qualitative findings with validation through the quantitative survey finds that a comprehensive nutrition activity engaging the target population in the SBC activities changes the social stigma and barrier. All mothers who attended the study expressed proper knowledge of IYCF and also emphasized their physical and mental health to ensure proper IYCF practices for children 0-23 months, such as exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, starting complementary feeding after six months, and ensuring the minimum food diversity to ensure proper nutrition of the young children. This group of mothers can work and support other mothers in the best practices of IYCF and break the social stigma and barriers of IYCF practices.