Background

Data and information collected has identified the nutritional status of children under five as very poor in the target villages. Insufficient food sources, lack of food diversity knowledge, lack of information or referrals to MCH services as well as a limited understanding of the importance of healthy diets (including breastfeeding) for early childhood development, maternal health and in-utero growth has led to a high incidence of clinically identified malnutrition. Currently, there is little understanding of nutritious food sources among the communities. Additionally, pregnant women have limited access to prenatal care and low awareness of health and nutrition resources available at the local health centre and/or at the district health division.

This project builds on an existing nutrition and MCH projects currently being implemented by ChildFund Laos in Nonghet, Xieng Khouang Province. This project aims to increase knowledge of and access to nutritious food sources and overall nutrition for mothers, children (under 5) and pregnant women in 12 villages in Nonghet District and a further 10 villages in Khoun District. This project also aims to improve referral pathways for women to antenatal services and to improve the capacity of village health volunteers (VHV), village authorities and District level staff to provide nutrition instruction to pregnant women. These aims will be achieved via two key interventions. Firstly, by increasing community knowledge surrounding the importance of, and access to nutritious food and health, focusing on mothers and children and pregnant women. Secondly, by increasing accessibility to maternal and child health (MCH) services (including peri-natal care) for pregnant women and improving the capacity of VHV’s and village authorities at District level to provide nutrition advice and information to pregnant women, mothers and children.

Project Description

Project Goal

Increase knowledge of and access to nutritious food for mothers, children and pregnant women and improve referral pathways of women to access antenatal services, whilst improving the capacities of village health volunteers and other village authorities.

Project Objectives

• To increase knowledge about the importance of, and access to nutritious food and health for the community, especially mother and child and pregnant women.
• To increase accessibility to MCH services (including peri-natal care) for pregnant women and to improve the capacity of VHV, village authorities and District level to provide nutrition instruction to pregnant women.

Key Outputs: FY 2019-2020

• 22 villages received training (40 parents and caregivers per session) for improving nutritional status of undernourished children 0-5
• Production of 2,000 IEC materials to support training and follow-up activities for parents and caregivers for parents and caregivers of children 0-5 and pregnant women in 22 villages
• 132 local campaigns conducted to promote positive practices around peri-natal nutrition, IYCF and hygiene infection for mothers and children 0-5
• 144 radio broadcasts delivered on nutrition for children under 5 and pregnant women
• 26 Health Centre and District Health staff workers receive training on clinical skills for MCH (eg: safe motherhood, newborn care or IMCI)