"programme_id","programme_title","programme_language","programme_type","other_program","iso3code","country_name","program_location","area","status","start_date","end_date","brief_description","references","related_policy","new_policy","partner_gov","partner_government_details","partner_un","partner_un_details","partner_ngo","partner_ngo_details","partner_donors","partner_donors_details","partner_intergov","partner_intgov_details","partner_national_ngo","partner_nat_ngo_details","partner_research","partner_research_details","partner_private","partner_private_details","partner_other","partner_other_details","cost","fsector_0","fpartner_0","fdetails_0","fsector_1","fpartner_1","fdetails_1","fsector_2","fpartner_2","fdetails_2","fsector_3","fpartner_3","fdetails_3","fsector_4","fpartner_4","fdetails_4","fsector_5","fpartner_5","fdetails_5","fsector_6","fpartner_6","fdetails_6","fsector_7","fpartner_7","fdetails_7","fsector_8","fpartner_8","fdetails_8","fsector_9","fpartner_9","fdetails_9","fsector_10","fpartner_10","fdetails_10","fsector_11","fpartner_11","fdetails_11","fsector_12","fpartner_12","fdetails_12","fsector_13","fpartner_13","fdetails_13","fsector_14","fpartner_14","fdetails_14","fsector_15","fpartner_15","fdetails_15","fsector_16","fpartner_16","fdetails_16","fsector_17","fpartner_17","fdetails_17","fsector_18","fpartner_18","fdetails_18","fsector_19","fpartner_19","fdetails_19","fsector_20","fpartner_20","fdetails_20","fsector_21","fpartner_21","fdetails_21","fsector_22","fpartner_22","fdetails_22","fsector_23","fpartner_23","fdetails_23","fsector_24","fpartner_24","fdetails_24","fsector_25","fpartner_25","fdetails_25","fsector_26","fpartner_26","fdetails_26","fsector_27","fpartner_27","fdetails_27","fsector_28","fpartner_28","fdetails_28","fsector_29","fpartner_29","fdetails_29","fsector_30","fpartner_30","fdetails_30","fsector_31","fpartner_31","fdetails_31","fsector_32","fpartner_32","fdetails_32","fsector_33","fpartner_33","fdetails_33","fsector_34","fpartner_34","fdetails_34","fsector_35","fpartner_35","fdetails_35","fsector_36","fpartner_36","fdetails_36","fsector_37","fpartner_37","fdetails_37","fsector_38","fpartner_38","fdetails_38","fsector_39","fpartner_39","fdetails_39","fsector_40","fpartner_40","fdetails_40","fsector_41","fpartner_41","fdetails_41","fsector_42","fpartner_42","fdetails_42","fsector_43","fpartner_43","fdetails_43","fsector_44","fpartner_44","fdetails_44","fsector_45","fpartner_45","fdetails_45","fsector_46","fpartner_46","fdetails_46","fsector_47","fpartner_47","fdetails_47","fsector_48","fpartner_48","fdetails_48","fsector_49","fpartner_49","fdetails_49","action_id","theme","topic","new_topic","micronutrient","micronutrient_compound","target_group","age_group","place","delivery","other_delivery","dose_frequency","impact_indicators","me_system","target_pop","coverage_percent","coverage_type","baseline","post_intervention","social_det","social_other","elena_link","problem_0","solution_0","problem_1","solution_1","problem_2","solution_2","problem_3","solution_3","problem_4","solution_4","problem_5","solution_5","problem_6","solution_6","problem_7","solution_7","problem_8","solution_8","problem_9","solution_9","other_problems","other_lessons","personal_story","language" "11473","A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project","English","Multi-national","","TZA","United Republic of Tanzania","Dar es Salaam, Tanzania","Urban|Rural|Peri-urban","completed","01-2006","01-2011","
A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project consolidates, builds, and expands on USAID's long-term investment in micronutrients, child survival, and nutrition. A2Z takes proven interventions to scale, introduces innovation, expands services, and builds sustainable programs to increase the use of key micronutrient and blindness interventions to improve child and maternal health. With work in vitamin A supplementation of children, newborn vitamin A, food fortification, maternal and child anemia control, monitoring and evaluation, and health systems strengthening, A2Z's focus countries have included Bangladesh, Cambodia, the East, Central and Southern Africa region, India, Nepal, Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda and West Bank.
","While Tanzania has achieved high vitamin A supplementation coverage over the past few years, there is concern that this achievement is fragile because of decentralization. A2Z is supporting national, zonal, regional, and district health teams to institutionalize twice-yearly distributions through ongoing advocacy and routine planning and budgeting. This activity is conducted in collaboration with the National Program for Extension of Tools and Strategies, the Tanzania Essential Health Interventions Project, Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre, the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center (TFNC), and UNICEF. To foster sustainable vitamin A supplementation, the A2Z project is supporting behavior change communication through community workers and a popular radio serial. Based on information gathered on sustainability indicators by TFNC with support of A2Z and HKI, those districts that have not yet integrated funding for vitamin A supplementation in their plans are receiving additional technical support. Several resources developed in Tanzania are available to ensure program sustainability.
","Given the twice-yearly nature of the VAS program as well as its historic evolution from immunization campaigns, it is easy for district staff to see the program as separate from their regular day-to-day work. Considering the program to be part of the routine work for the district is critical for sustainability, and is reflected in both attitudes and the support provided to the program. Ninety-one (76%) of the 119 districts regarded implementation of the twice-yearly VAS and deworming program to be a routine activity. About 84% considered VAS and deworming a very important service, and 99% thought the service should continue. Although the majority of the districts viewed VAS/deworming as a routine activity, more than half (55%) had not yet included VAS/deworming services in their routine supervision checklist. Moreover, payment of allowances to staff for VAS/deworming while at their normal duty stations implies that these services were viewed as special rather than routine. The allowance scheme in particular, with an excessive number of supervisors at some distribution sites and inadequate supervision at other sites, may increase a district’s vulnerability to a decline in coverage. Overall, 11 districts (9%) were judged vulnerable with low sustainability related to supervision and monitoring
","Those districts that have not yet integrated funding for vitamin A supplementation ","","","","","Vulnerable groups","","Vitamin A supplementation in neonates>>>Vitamin A supplementation in neonates>>http://www.who.int/elena/titles/vitamina_neonatal","Others, please specify below","For an activity to be sustained, it must be considered part of the district’s regular activities, and thus must be included in the annual planning process.","Management","The VAS program requires clear management for effective and efficient implementation, and thoughtful management also reflects the value placed on the program. Poor management may make the program vulnerable, and less likely to be sustained in an effective fashion.","Supplies","The VAS program depends on effective logistics, and capsule and promotional materials must reach distribution sites on time and in adequate quantities for the program to be effective. Poor logistics supply management makes the program vulnerable. Adequate communication between programs and departments within district councils facilitated effective use of available resources in 117 (98%) of the districts assessed.","Financial resources","Ensuring adequate provision for the VAS/deworming program within the basket fund can improve the financial sustainability of the program.","Insufficient staff","Twice yearly VAS distribution involves extended outreach to communities, and thus requires significant mobilization of both health staff and community volunteers. Failure to plan for adequate human resources is likely to place districts at risk of not sustaining their coverage achievements.","","","","","","","","","","","","Planning
Districts should be encouraged to budget for the program in their own CCHP budget including the basket fund which is considered the most reliable source of funds. Once basket funds are planned, they cannot be reallocated
Advocacy and community ownership
The program is more likely to continue effectively if it is understood and valued by community members who are involved with planning and implementation.
Management and Leadership
Efforts should be made to protect the current best practices in management and leadership reported in most of the districts.
Logistics Supply
Key actors at the national level need to ensure timely procurement and delivery of supplies to the districts
Supervision and Monitoring
Districts should determine the appropriate number of site supervisors to contain costs and include VAS/deworming in the routine supervision checklist to ensure that children missed during the twice-yearly events are reached through “mop up” actions.
Advocasy and Community Ownership
The successful efforts to date should continue to build community ownership of the program through well-designed, regular sensitization meetings and advocacy to engage the community, mobilize participation, and raise the profile of VAS/deworming events.
Availability of Financial Resources
Ensuring adequate provision for the VAS/deworming program within the basket fund can improve the financial sustainability of the program.
Availability of Human Resources
Local councils and the central government need to fill staff positions and find secure mechanisms to ensure mobilization of adequate human resources to sustain service delivery.
Programme Effectiveness
Efforts should be made to maintain the high performance of the majority of districts and help the few low performing districts improve their coverage.
","","English" "11473","A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project","English","Multi-national","","TZA","United Republic of Tanzania","Dar es Salaam, Tanzania","Urban|Rural|Peri-urban","completed","01-2006","01-2011","A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project consolidates, builds, and expands on USAID's long-term investment in micronutrients, child survival, and nutrition. A2Z takes proven interventions to scale, introduces innovation, expands services, and builds sustainable programs to increase the use of key micronutrient and blindness interventions to improve child and maternal health. With work in vitamin A supplementation of children, newborn vitamin A, food fortification, maternal and child anemia control, monitoring and evaluation, and health systems strengthening, A2Z's focus countries have included Bangladesh, Cambodia, the East, Central and Southern Africa region, India, Nepal, Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda and West Bank.
","With advocacy from A2Z/HKI and other donors, the Government of Tanzania in December 2006 adopted a policy for the use of zinc for the treatment of diarrhea. A2Z/HKI provided technical support to the National IMCI coordinator to incorporate zinc therapy as part of diarrhea management and developed modified IMCI guidelines. Zinc treatment and low osmolarity solution oral rehydration salts (ORS) have been incorporated into the National Standard Therapeutic Guidelines. The project facilitated formative research to learn about the health-seeking practices of the community around diarrhea by Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre and Johns Hopkins University. The formative research also tested the acceptability of zinc treatment for diarrhea among mothers and caretakers. The findings of the study are expected to be used to assist in the development of health worker training modules and behavior change communication materials for use by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the community.
","Under-five mortality rate
","","","","","","","Vulnerable groups","","Zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhoea>>>Zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhoea>>http://www.who.int/elena/titles/zinc_diarrhoea","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","","The project facilitated formative research to learn about the health-seeking practices of the community around diarrhea by Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre and Johns Hopkins University.
","","English" "11489","Nutritional Improvement for children in urban Chile and Kenya (NICK) Project","English","Multi-national","","KEN","Kenya","Mombasa, Kenya","Urban","on-going","01-2010","01-2013","NICK (Nutritional Improvement for children in urban Chile and Kenya) is a three year study that started in October 2010 with funding from the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) through the Economic and Social Research Council. This study helps the cities of Mombasa in Kenya and Valparaíso in Chile reduce child malnutrition using participatory action research to broaden stakeholder participation at municipal level to change the social determinants. These determinants control the everyday conditions in which people are living and include education, income, working conditions, housing, neighbourhood and community conditions, and social inclusion. It is envisaged that this study will contribute to existing knowledge and also serve as a useful guide for action not only in Kenya and Chile but also in other countries with high levels of child malnutrition.
The NICK project is being implemented in one Mombasa informal settlement (with one matched control settlement). The project, which started on October 1st 2010 and ends on September 30th 2013, is guided by the following central question: Can child malnutrition amongst families living in poverty in informal settlements and slums in Mombasa and Valparaíso be reduced through broadening community and stakeholder participation to change the social determinants of nutritional status?
The project seeks to address the following research questions:
Given the recognition that the determinants of child malnutrition are systemic and require multi-disciplinary concerted efforts to address, the Kenyan research team decided to explore ways of ensuring that the project is integrated into the national efforts that focus on child nutrition. The initial steps, therefore, involved holding discussions with the Nutrition Division in the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS). During these discussions (in January 2011), it emerged that there are multiple efforts being put in place to strengthen interventions on child malnutrition and related problems among the urban poor. One such initiative was the proposed formation of Urban Nutrition Working Groups (UNWG).
The Kenyan NICK team considered that establishing an UNWG in Mombasa was critical entry point that would help to make NICK activities an integral part of local initiatives with a high possibility of sustainability. This UNWG would function as the participatory action research (PAR) group that was needed for the NICK Project. The team, therefore, sought the support of the national nutrition office to do the following:
Following the granting of permission to work with the Provincial Nutrition Officer, several meetings were held in Mombasa to plan for an initial meeting with local stakeholders to introduce the project and form a Participatory Action Research (PAR) group. The agreement was that the UNWG would also serve as the PAR group. The research group also met with Dr. Shariff,3 the Director of Medical Services, in the Ministry of Public Health and sanitation (MOPHS) who was supportive of NICK and emphasized the need for the project to enhance the implementation of national nutrition priorities. The team also met with members of the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) who had just completed a national survey on Urban Food Security.
The preparatory phase was also utilized to carry out literature reviews and interviews to consolidate the situational analysis. A research permit was acquired, which was granted by the National Council for Science and Technology. With this permit, the Kenyan research team was able to plan for the baseline survey.
(i) Formation of the Provincial Nutrition Technical Committee and UNWG
This meeting was held in Mombasa on April 29th 2011. It brought together 24 participants who were drawn from the participating government departments and other partners. During this meeting, the team agreed to form the Provincial Nutrition Technical Committee under the leadership of the Provincial Nutritionist. Thirteen members were also nominated to form the UNWG under the leadership of the District Nutrition Officer. The members were supportive of this group due to the potential to have a coordinated approach to addressing child nutrition in the region.
(ii) Conduct of the baseline survey
During the initial meeting, it was agreed that the UNWG would be involved in carrying out the baseline survey. As part of community service, the members agreed that anthropometric measurements would be done for every child up to 5 years in the two study sites of Chaani (intervention) and Kongowea (control). Over 900 children were weighed and measured. Data from children 12-59 months indicate higher than national averages for stunting, with Chaani worse off than Kongowea.
The KDHS indicates high levels of stunting and underweight in the Coastal Province.
A household baseline survey was conducted (between June and July 2011) during which over 800 households were interviewed. The main issues addressed were child nutrition, health seeking behaviour and coping mechanisms. Data analysis is ongoing. The Kenyan team is now facilitating the UNGWA through three 6-monthly cycle of action and reflection to develop, implement and improve a range of small scale multisectiorial action to change the social determinants of child undernutrition.
(iii) 1st UNWG/PAR workshop – July 2011
This was a three-day meeting that was attended by 16 participants including the London-based researchers. A follow-up meeting for the UNWG was held on 20th July during which the first multisectorial action plan was finalised.
(iv) Community level activities
Community sensitization is ongoing. The UNWG has held meetings with health officials and village elders in Chaani (the intervention site). A public meeting was held with the community members on 7th November 2011, which was attended by over 250 people. So far 17 formalized groups have been identified and the next steps are to assess the training and research needs of these groups. Support for this group, in the form of training and provision of seed funds will be initiated in January 2011.
","
","","","Over 800 households; Over 900 children","","Anthropometric measurements","","Vulnerable groups","","Complementary feeding>>>Complementary feeding>>http://www.who.int/elena/titles/complementary_feeding","Others, please specify below","Competing interestsThe UNWG members are very busy with multiple responsibilities, which limits the amount of time they have for NICK activities, which are seen as not being directly part of their mandates. The implementation of national level campaigns, such as the polio campaign, interfered with planned programme activities.","Others, please specify below","Time constraints among Government officialsIt was difficult for the research team to interview the district level officers as key respondents for the baseline survey due to time constraints. Although some of them are interested in research they are hard pressed to put aside an hour for an interview.","Management","Managing expectationsIt has been difficult due to the low project budget. In Kenya, there is a tendency for officers to be given allowances when they attend meetings. Doing this would deplete the project budget completely. The research team has shared the project budget with the UNWG and an agreement has been reached to facilitate travel but not to provide ‘sitting allowances’ as a compromise.","Adherence","Balancing between studies and field activitiesCombining the field activities and the research activities of the extension research project on domestic violence and child undernutrition led to some delay in the implementation of community level activities and the 2nd PAR workshop. These activities will be initiated in earnest in January 2012. The PAR workshop will be held in February 2012","","","","","","","","","","","","","","
The current project implementation process introduces a different mechanism of working in partnership at the community level for the implementation partners. Although the project has experienced some challenges, the achievement to-date indicates that with more support and additional training, the UNWG is in a position to implement sustainable interventions to address the social determinants of child nutrition. The baseline survey tools that will be used at the end of the project will be a good measure of whether this approach will have borne the anticipated outcome of multiple implementers working together for the common good.
","","English"