| Indicator ID | H17 |
|---|---|
| Indicator full statement | The number of individuals from the target population group who have received preventive messages about Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices during a specified period. |
Purpose
| Importance | This indicator measures the reach and effectiveness of IYCF messaging programs aimed at improving feeding practices among infants and young children where Tdh is conducting related activities. Effective and individualized IYCF messages promote optimal feeding practices and help prevent malnutrition and related health issues. |
|---|---|
| ToC pathway | This indicator directly refers to the Tdh Theory of Change (ToC) as it aims to contribute to 3the three inter-related pathways of change, namely 1) local health system, 2) communities, and 3) mothers, children, and their families. |
| Related services | It is used depending on the service provided by Tdh. |
Definition
The total count of individuals (caregivers, parents, and community members) who have been exposed to IYCF preventive messages where Tdh is conducting related activities. These messages typically include 1) exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, 2) appropriate complementary feeding starting at six months, 3) continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond, 4) hygiene and safe feeding practices.
The channel of IYCF messages considered in this indicator do include individual or targeted group health education sessions (i.e., paediatric consultation, caregivers’ group at the nutrition centre), community outreach programs (i.e., CHW outreach education sessions), under-5 growth consultation, nutrition consultation; and does not include printed materials (i.e., leaflets distribution, billboard), mass media campaigns (i.e., local radio spot, social media messaging).
How to collect & analyse the data
| What do we count? | Individuals who have received IYCF preventive messages. |
|---|---|
| How to calculate the indicator's value | Sum of individual |
| Data sources | Routine facility data sources: Facility-based data on patient educational consultation from nutrition treatment programs, where available, including via DHIS. Program and event reports: Data from IYCF programs on outreach and educational activities, attendance records from health education groups sessions or community events (i.e., CHW reports). |
| Data collection methods and tools | Secondary data / document review of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting from health facilities and/or DHIS, IYCF program reports and community-based activities reports. Annual community survey to assess the overall reach and impact of IYCF messages. |
| Disaggregation | Data should be disaggregated by type of individual (i.e., caregivers, community members), type of target group (i.e., pregnant women, new mothers), geographic location (i.e., GIS if conducted during outreach consultation by trained Community Health Workers (CHW), health facility) and district, type of communication channel (i.e., health facility-based, community-based), where appropriate depending on the data source. |
Limitations and precautions
While this indicator measures the number of individuals reached by IYCF preventive messages, it doesn’t assess the effectiveness nor impact of the health messages provided on the target population health outcomes. More qualitative indicators would better evaluate health behaviors changes (i.e., improved nutritional practices, perception, understanding and adherence to the proper nutritional practices recommendations).
Data accuracy might be a challenge if reported from the community level without the use of digital tools to register the participants (i.e., paper attendance sheets during outreach activities). More so, since health facility and outreach activities record of the IYCF program have the same population target, it is likely that individuals are counted twice. Nevertheless, since the data are disaggregated, and different messaging sessions can be beneficial to the same individual/family and double count doesn’t affect the analysis of this indicator.
This indicator doesn’t consider the quality of the messages nor the relevance to different target audience. Program’s effort should be given to the quality of the messages, which should align with the latest evidence-based recommendations and best practices, and adequate technical training and supervision. Further studies could estimate the messages retention and impact as seen above.
What further analysis are we interested in?
This indicator analyses the extent to which IYCF preventive messages reach targeted populations. It can provide relevant information to further evaluate which channels are most effective in disseminating IYCF messages (i.e., nutrition consultation, health education groups sessions) and support the assessment of whether receiving IYCF messages correlated with improved feeding practices. Indeed, cross analysing this indicator with other nutrition outcomes indicators (i.e., number of discharged GAM children without complications, number of nutrition programs defaulters) provides direct insights on the impact of such messages alongside with the quality of the healthcare provided.
Additional guidance
Under the technical assistance of HQ, Tdh M&E and operational teams in each delegation should work closely with health authorities, Nutrition working and coordination group, if relevant in the context, and DHIS providers to collect and interpret the data.
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World Health Organization. (2009). Infant and young child feeding: model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/44117 (Accessed 16 September 2024)
Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, Definitions and measurement methods, UNICEF, 2021. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/indicators-for-assessing-infant-and-young-child-feeding-practices/ (Accessed 16 September 2024)
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