Lao PDR World Food Programme Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) Programme Review (supported by the UN World Food Programme)
Our team conducted an evaluation of the country’s maternal and child health and nutrition (MCNH) programme. This programme was initiated by the UN World Food Programme in 2011 to respond to the poor nutrition situation in the country.
OUTCOME(S):
- Prevent stunting in children under 2 years of age through provision of nutritional support and nutrition education at the community level encompassing the first 1,000 days of life
- Increase utilization of health facilities by pregnant and lactating women for antenatal care, post natal care and facility based deliveries
- As part of the assessment, the Nourish team carried out quantitative and qualitative research as well as a cost-effectiveness study to determine programme effectiveness and to make recommendations for programme improvement. Our team designed, conducted and reported on the endline survey to assess how effective the MCHN programme has been in implementing its activities and assess the following:
- Stunting prevalence in Luangnamtha province before and after the MCHN programme.
- The uptake of antenatal care attendance, facility based delivery and post-natal care services before and after the MCHN programme in target districts.
- Knowledge and behavior related to food, nutrition, hygiene, and child care in target districts before and after the MCHN programme in target districts.
- Barriers and enabling factors influencing child and maternal nutrition in MCHN target provinces before and after programme implementation.
- Internal and external factors influencing programme implementation and effectiveness.
- Programme implementation costs (nutrition supplementation, procurement, transportation, training, monitoring, staffing)