Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya
Abstract Background Kenya is faced with a triple burden of malnutrition which is multi-faceted with health and socio-economic implications. Huge geographical disparities exist, especially, in the arid and semi-arid lands exacerbated by inadequate resource allocation to the nutrition sector and chall...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14627-2 |
| _version_ | 1797985506546417664 |
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| author | Patrick Codjia Edward Kutondo Penjani Kamudoni Judith Munga Aneesha Ahluwalia Indrani Sharma Yvon de Jong Tom Amolo Lucy Maina-Gathigi Victoria Mwenda Hemant Chaudhry Zipporah Bukania |
| author_facet | Patrick Codjia Edward Kutondo Penjani Kamudoni Judith Munga Aneesha Ahluwalia Indrani Sharma Yvon de Jong Tom Amolo Lucy Maina-Gathigi Victoria Mwenda Hemant Chaudhry Zipporah Bukania |
| author_sort | Patrick Codjia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Kenya is faced with a triple burden of malnutrition which is multi-faceted with health and socio-economic implications. Huge geographical disparities exist, especially, in the arid and semi-arid lands exacerbated by inadequate resource allocation to the nutrition sector and challenges in multi-sectoral coordination and nutrition governance. UNICEF’s Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme is a four-year (2018–2022) resilience-building, multi-sectoral program focused on pregnant and lactating women, mothers of children under five years and children under five years. The objective of the mid-term evaluation was to establish the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme. Methods The field evaluation conducted between June and July 2021, adopted a concurrent mixed-methods approach, where qualitative information was gathered through 29 key informant interviews and 18 focus group discussions (6 FGDs per population group; women of reproductive age, adolescent girls and men). Quantitatively, data were obtained through desk review of secondary data from programme reports, budgets, and project outputs where descriptive analysis was undertaken using Excel software. Qualitative information was organized using Nvivo software and analyzed thematically. Results The findings provide evidence of the relevance of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme II to the nutrition situation in Kenya and its alignment with the Government of Kenya and donor priorities. Most planned programme targets were achieved despite operating in a COVID-19 pandemic environment. The use of innovative approaches such as family mid-upper arm circumference, integrated management of acute malnutrition surge model, Malezi bora and Logistic Management Information Management System contributed to the realization of effective outputs and outcomes. Stringent financial management strategies contributed toward programme efficiencies; however, optimal utilization of the resources needs further strengthening. The programme adopted strategies for strengthening local capacity and promoting ownership and long-term sustainability. Conclusion The programme is on track across the four evaluation criteria. However, a few suggestions are recommended to improve relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. A formal transition strategy needs to be developed in consultation with multi-stakeholder groups and implemented in phases. UNICEF Nutrition section should explore a more integrated programming mode of delivery through joint initiatives with other agencies under the Delivery as One UN agenda, along the more gender transformative approaches with more systematic involvement of males and females in gender-based discussions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:18:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d0d63f653de14547a4db9c2daade9a71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:18:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-d0d63f653de14547a4db9c2daade9a712022-12-22T04:37:51ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-11-0122111710.1186/s12889-022-14627-2Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in KenyaPatrick Codjia0Edward Kutondo1Penjani Kamudoni2Judith Munga3Aneesha Ahluwalia4Indrani Sharma5Yvon de Jong6Tom Amolo7Lucy Maina-Gathigi8Victoria Mwenda9Hemant Chaudhry10Zipporah Bukania11United Nations Children’s FundUnited Nations Children’s FundUnited Nations Children’s FundKenyatta UniversityIQVIA (India)IQVIA (India)IQVIAUnited Nations Children’s FundUnited Nations Children’s FundUnited Nations Children’s FundIQVIA (India)Kenya Medical Research InstituteAbstract Background Kenya is faced with a triple burden of malnutrition which is multi-faceted with health and socio-economic implications. Huge geographical disparities exist, especially, in the arid and semi-arid lands exacerbated by inadequate resource allocation to the nutrition sector and challenges in multi-sectoral coordination and nutrition governance. UNICEF’s Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme is a four-year (2018–2022) resilience-building, multi-sectoral program focused on pregnant and lactating women, mothers of children under five years and children under five years. The objective of the mid-term evaluation was to establish the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme. Methods The field evaluation conducted between June and July 2021, adopted a concurrent mixed-methods approach, where qualitative information was gathered through 29 key informant interviews and 18 focus group discussions (6 FGDs per population group; women of reproductive age, adolescent girls and men). Quantitatively, data were obtained through desk review of secondary data from programme reports, budgets, and project outputs where descriptive analysis was undertaken using Excel software. Qualitative information was organized using Nvivo software and analyzed thematically. Results The findings provide evidence of the relevance of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme II to the nutrition situation in Kenya and its alignment with the Government of Kenya and donor priorities. Most planned programme targets were achieved despite operating in a COVID-19 pandemic environment. The use of innovative approaches such as family mid-upper arm circumference, integrated management of acute malnutrition surge model, Malezi bora and Logistic Management Information Management System contributed to the realization of effective outputs and outcomes. Stringent financial management strategies contributed toward programme efficiencies; however, optimal utilization of the resources needs further strengthening. The programme adopted strategies for strengthening local capacity and promoting ownership and long-term sustainability. Conclusion The programme is on track across the four evaluation criteria. However, a few suggestions are recommended to improve relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. A formal transition strategy needs to be developed in consultation with multi-stakeholder groups and implemented in phases. UNICEF Nutrition section should explore a more integrated programming mode of delivery through joint initiatives with other agencies under the Delivery as One UN agenda, along the more gender transformative approaches with more systematic involvement of males and females in gender-based discussions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14627-2NutritionMid-term evaluationEvaluationMaternal and child nutritionUNICEF |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Codjia Edward Kutondo Penjani Kamudoni Judith Munga Aneesha Ahluwalia Indrani Sharma Yvon de Jong Tom Amolo Lucy Maina-Gathigi Victoria Mwenda Hemant Chaudhry Zipporah Bukania Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya BMC Public Health Nutrition Mid-term evaluation Evaluation Maternal and child nutrition UNICEF |
| title | Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya |
| title_full | Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya |
| title_short | Mid-term evaluation of Maternal and Child Nutrition Programme (MCNP II) in Kenya |
| title_sort | mid term evaluation of maternal and child nutrition programme mcnp ii in kenya |
| topic | Nutrition Mid-term evaluation Evaluation Maternal and child nutrition UNICEF |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14627-2 |
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