Capacity building of Government extension and community volunteers in data collection and tracking of Nutrition behaviours and practices for households

Project details

For decades now, the nutrition situation for Malawi has been characterised by undernutrition for children aged less than five years. For instance, stunting remains very high (according to MICS report) at 35.5%, wasting 2.6%, and underweight at 12.8%. and 13.9% children born at a low birth weight (National Statistics Office, 2021). Micronutrient disorders, especially Vitamin A and Iron, are of public health concern. 58% and 25% of primary school children suffer from vitamin A deficiency and anaemia respectively (National Statistical Office (NSO) [Malawi] and ICF., 2017). To address the situation, the Government of Malawi, in collaboration with FAO and UNICEF, is implementing the Afikepo project funded by the European Union in order to enhance the nutrition security through increased availability of diversified foods and improved dietary intake of safe and nutritious foods to achieve optimal nutrition for women of childbearing age, adolescent girls, infant and young children. In order to track food consumption behavioural changes happening in the communities the University of Malawi (UNIMA) has been working with district councils and community structures to facilitate and strengthen community level tracking of MIYCN practices through community behaviour tracking tool (CBTT). To achieve this objective, UNIMA is working with Government extension staff and the relevant community level structures in collecting data, analysis and disseminating the results collected through engagement with communities and relevant community and district structures. UNIMA has been collecting data since 2020 and the results so far are showing improved trends in the following indicators: exclusive breastfeeding, consumption of animal source foods and legumes among pregnant women, lactating mothers, children aged 6 months to two years and adolescent girls. There has also been reduced cases of severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition among children under five.