Alive & Thrive's implementation research shows that maternal nutrition interventions can be successfully integrated into ANC platforms leading to improved MIYCN practices.
During a thematic session and two scientific presentations, Alive & Thrive delved into this research at the 2023 IMNHC conference.
For more information about our participation at IMNHC, please contact Emma Feutl Kent, Associate Director, Programs and Projects.
Integrating Maternal Nutrition into Antenatal Care Platforms:
Feasibility, Scale Up, and Implications for Policy and Advocacy
Thursday, May 11, 10:45-11:30 a.m. SAST - Protea Room
Speakers
- Sandra Remancus, Director of Alive & Thrive
- Tina Sanghvi, Senior Technical Advisor, Alive & Thrive
- Binu Anand, Country Director, Alive & Thrive/India
- Dr. Abdulaziz Ali, Country Director, Alive & Thrive/Ethiopia
- Deborah Ash, Director, Women's Nutrition Initiative/FHI Solutions
During this Thematic Session, speakers discussed Alive & Thrive’s implementation research on integrating a tailored package of maternal nutrition interventions into antenatal care (ANC) platforms, and the potential for ANC platforms to serve as a vehicle for bringing the interventions to scale. Alive & Thrive’s research in two countries, Ethiopia and India, formed the basis of our discussion.
The session also featured information on the Action Agenda for optimizing and safeguarding women's and girls' nutrition by Deborah Ash, Director of the Women's Nutrition Initiative. The Action Agenda demands rapid and urgent change to the global systems generating unfair outcomes for women and girls. We want to see powerful leadership and sustained investment so that all women and girls – and their potential – are nourished.
Steps for operationalizing global guidance on nutrition interventions in ANC
Summary
May 9, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Room 1.41-1.42
In Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and India, Alive & Thrive adapted and integrated nutrition interventions into antenatal care platforms based on WHO’s 2016 guidelines. This session described the steps taken to operationalize the global guidance and the lessons learned from the four countries.
Presented by Tina Sanghvi, Senior Technical Advisor
Demand-side interventions improve adherence to iron and folic acid (IFA)
supplements in pregnancy
Summary
May 9, 1:15-2:30 p.m., Room 1.61-1.62
In Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and India, Alive & Thrive developed and operationalized demand-side interventions that improved IFA adherence. This presentation explained the rationale underlying the interventions, how they were implemented and the ways in which IFA adherence improved.
Presented by Tina Sanghvi, Senior Technical Advisor