Journal article

A program impact pathway analysis identifies critical steps in the implementation and utilization of a behavior change communication intervention promoting infant and child feeding practices in Bangladesh (Avula R., 2013. Journal of Nutrition)

25 Sep 13
Author(s)Rasmi Avula, Purnima Menon, Kuntal K. Saha, Mahbubul Islam Bhuiyan, Anita S. Chowdhury, Saiqa Siraj, Raisul Haque, Chowdhury S. B. Jalal, Kaosar Afsana, Edward A. Frongillo
Topic(s): Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Research
Location: Bangladesh
Language(s): English
Audience: Program designers and implementers
Programs: Social and behavior change, Strategic use of data

Mapping pathways of how interventions are implemented and utilized enables contextually grounded interpretation of results, differentiates poor design from poor implementation, and identifies factors that might influence the utilization of interventions. Few studies in nutrition have comprehensively examined the steps of implementation and utilization in behavior change communication (BCC) interventions, thus limiting the interpretation of variable impacts of BCC interventions. In this study, a program impact pathway (PIP) analysis was used to study a BCC intervention implemented in Bangladesh to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Using a PIP analysis identified critical issues pertaining to implementation (e.g., the role of paid and volunteer staff) and utilization (e.g., resource and time constraints that require complementary interventions) and the need for further research and programmatic attention. In conclusion, the findings from this study emphasize the need for research on how programs are implemented and utilized so as to identify bottlenecks and facilitate interpretation of impact-limiting factors. This study provides an example of a process evaluation conducted using a PIP as a guiding framework for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

 
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