Journal article

Can complex programs be sustained? A mixed methods sustainability evaluation of a national infant and young child feeding program in Bangladesh and Vietnam (Moucheraud, C., 2020. BMC Public Health)

08 Dec 20
Topic(s): Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Newborn Health, Research
Location: Bangladesh, East Asia Pacific
Language(s): English
Audience: Program designers and implementers
Programs: Mass communication, Strategic use of data

This study evaluates the sustainability of activities introduced during A&T implementation (2009–2014) in Bangladesh and Vietnam, revealing that multiple activities, such as mass media campaigns, policy and advocacy activities, and social mobilization activities were integral to the program’s success but also made it difficult to sustain. While quantitative data show a persisting modest intervention effect in areas including health worker knowledge, other elements such as training, monitoring, and evaluation were eliminated. The authors conclude that future complex programs must plan institutionalization and complementary roles for stakeholders in advance to improve sustainability. 

 
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