Improving women and children nutrition through targeted capacity building interventions: Experience from Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, , progress in nutrition outcomes have been made with as 14 percent point reduction in stunting (2000-2011) and 10 percent point reduction of anemia (2005-2011) (Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys). The USAID funded, Integrated Family Health Program (IFHP) supports Ethiopia strategic objective and goal of improved family health, and includes nutrition as one of its key interventions. The project covers 33.4 million people in 292 Woredas The project integrates and harmonizes all its plans with the ministry of health The activities includes: building the capacity of health workers, health extension workers, post training follow up and logistic support . The Essential Nutrition Actions(ENA) framework training materials as well as the “family Health Card” was used to implement the high impact nutrition interventions through strengthening nutrition health service delivery, counseling, communication skills and management of severe acute malnutrition. Achievements were assessed by comparing representative household surveys in 2008 and 2012. Significant improvements included 50% of pregnant women received iron/folic acid during the last pregnancy compared to 18%, 76% of newborns started breastfeeding within the first hour compared to 62% and introduction at 6 months of complementary food increased from 54% to 63%,Vitamin A supplementation to children 6-23 months also increased from 66% to 87%. Using multiple existing contacts and platforms, high impact nutrition interventions can be effectively delivered to contribute to the improvement women and children nutrition.