Baseline for Monitoring and Evaluation of a Micronutrient IEC Program

Abstract

• Name: Baseline for Monitoring and Evaluation of a Micronutrient IEC Program
• Purpose: To collect semi-quantitative baseline information on key aspects related to a micronutrient IEC program, as a point of departure for subsequent program monitoring and evaluation.
• Type of Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive
• Sample Size: The baseline assessment is carried out in a representative sample of mothers with children within the age range specified by the program, from different geographic regions in the country (1650 women in six districts in Nicaragua).
• Where Used: Nicaragua

To survey tool

Basic Information

Name: Baseline for Monitoring and Evaluation of a Micronutrient IEC Program

Origin: Developed by OMNI and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MOH)

Source: OMNI, Nicaraguan MOH

Basic Description: The instrument is used prior to initiating IEC programs to collect semi-quantitative information on knowledge, attitudes and practices on vitamin A and iron. Data are used as a baseline for subsequent program monitoring and evaluation.

Country Applications: Prototype tool developed, field-tested and used in Nicaragua.

Language: Spanish

Technical Scope: The tool covers specific areas of knowledge, attitudes and practices on vitamin A and iron normally targeted by an IEC intervention program, including supplements, dietary diversification, mother's exposure to counseling and edu cational materials, and experience in the use of supplements.

Purpose: IEC program monitoring and evaluation.

Type of Methods: Semi-quantitative and qualitative information to be gathered through household interviews with mothers to be targeted by the IEC program.

Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive. The baseline assessment is carried out in a representative sample of mothers with children within the age range specified by the program, from different geographic regions in the country.

Frequency of Administration: Before IEC program implementation is initiated and, subsequently, during program implementation for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Key Users of Information

Primary Users: Micronutrient deficiency prevention and control program planners and implementers, including NGOs/PVOs, particularly those responsible for IEC program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Secondary Users: Community development agencies and projects.

Objectives and Scope of Tool

Objective: To collect baseline information related to IEC program development and implementation which could be used as a point of departure for future program monitoring and evaluation.

Scope: The tool is context specific, that is, tailored to the particular content and objectives of the IEC program. General topics relate to changes in mother's knowledge, attitudes and practices on vitamin A and iron deficiency, use of supplements, feeding practices and dietary diversification, as well as delivery of counseling and educational messages and materials to women.

Key Monitoring Needs and Evaluation Questions Tool Seeks to Address

• Baseline knowledge of mothers regarding vitamin A and iron deficiency in general, as well as anemia during pregnancy; the importance of vitamin A and iron supplements; food sources of vitamin A and iron.
• Prevalent attitudes of mothers regarding anemia during pregnancy, vitamin A and iron deficiency in children; and prospects for improvement through dietary changes and use of micronutrient supplements.
• Current mother's practices regarding child's feeding; use of iron supplements during pregnancy and childhood, potential side effects and how to control them; feeding practices, consumption of vitamin A and iron rich foods; and use of vitamin A supplements.

Key Indicators

Quantitative indicators are derived for each of the following types of information collected:

• Frequency of food consumption by the target child (checking list of foods rich in vitamin A and iron) and forms of preparation, including types of fats (vegetable oil, lard, margarine).
• Specific fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and iron that are cultivated by the family.
• Administration of vitamin A supplements to the child, dates and sources of supply.
• Mother's knowledge and beliefs about vitamin A, food sources and the use of supplements.
• Recent exposure to information/counseling about vitamin A (radio, health personnel) reported by mother.
• Type and source of counseling/education given to mother on vitamin A and attitude of health care personnel.
• Mother's knowledge about iron, anemia, iron supplements and sources of supply.
• Administration of iron supplements to the child, dates and sources of supply.
• Child's compliance with iron supplements, dosage and side effects.
• Type and source of counseling/education messages and materials on vitamin A and iron for children remembered by mothers.
• Type of educational materials on vitamin A and iron supplement for children remembered by mothers.
• Knowledge about iron, food sources, anemia and iron supplements during pregnancy.
• Use of iron supplements during pregnancy, dates and sources of supply.
• Mother's compliance with iron supplements in last pregnancy, dosage and side effects.
• Mother's report on type and source of counseling/education messages and materials on iron supplements for the child.
• Mother's report on type and source of counseling/education messages and materials on anemia and iron during pregnancy.

Research Design

Information collected is mostly semi-quantitative. It is collected through personal interviews, using a standardized questionnaire, from either convenience or representative samples of women with children from randomly selected communities in the target areas. Persons to be interviewed are selected by or in collaboration with local health services. To reduce cost, exist interviews may be conducted at health services rather that at randomly selected households. Data collection questionnaires should be field-tested.

Implementation

Data collection is usually conducted by primary health care personnel specially trained in the use of the instruments for KAP surveys. A study in six health districts in Nicaragua, covering 550 pregnant women and 1100 mothers with children under five years of age was completed in about two months by 12 interviewers (two per district) and two supervisors.

Analysis

Data analysis is relatively simple using EPI-INFO. Frequency distributions are presented.

Reporting

The report of the baseline assessment is used as a point of departure for future information, education and communication (IEC) program monitoring and evaluation. It may also provide useful information on the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices that are relevant for fine tuning implementation of the IEC intervention.

Dissemination of Results

Although there is often some dissemination of the results to a larger audience, the specific users of the information are often restricted to program planners and implementers responsible for IEC activities.

Manuals and Guidelines

Available in Spanish.

References

OMNI/Nicaragua. Estudio de linea de base para la campaia de informacion, educacion y comunicacion en micronutrientes impulsada por el Ministerio de Salud y el Ministerio de Accion Social en Nicaragua. Formulario de Ninos y Ninas. Managua, junio de 1998.

OMNI/Nicaragua. Estudio de linea de base para la campana de informacion, educacion y comunicacion en micronutrientes. Plan de Muestreo. Managua, junio de 1998.