Application of benefit-cost analysis to nutrition program planning

THE REPORT GIVES THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS WHICH CONSIDERS PRIVATE BENEFITS AND SOCIAL RETURNS - MONETARY AND NONMONETARY. IT DESCRIBES THE PROGRAMS UNDER CONSIDERATION: (1) THE PROVISION OF VITAMIN A CAPSULES EVERY SIX MONTHS TO THE SAMPLE OF 1800 CHILDREN, AGED 1 TO 16 YEARS, ABOUT 40% OF WHOM WERE AFFECTED BY XEROPHTHALMIA; (2) A NUTRITION EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH PLUS HOME GARDENING APPROACH TO PROVIDE NUTRITION AND GARDEN INFORMATION, AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION (PHI); (3) AND THE FORTIFICATION WITH VITAMIN A OF A MAJOR FOOD IN THE DIET OF A TARGET POPULATION. THE REPORT DETAILS THE EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS -- OF PRIVATE BENEFITS, OF SOCIAL BENEFITS, OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ELIMINATING XEROPHTHALMIA, AND OF PROGRAM COSTS. IT INCLUDES AN IN-DEPTH PROGRAM ANALYSIS. TABLES ILLUSTRATE EARNINGS FUNCTIONS, ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM THE ELIMINATION OF THE AFFLICTION, BENEFIT-COST RATIOS, AND SOCIAL BENEFIT-COST RATIOS. THE GOAL OF THE ANALYSIS WAS TO SELECT THE PROGRAM MOST MEANINGFUL TO THE PHILIPPINES. APPLICATION OF THE BENEFIT-COST RATIOS SHOWED THAT IF THE MAXIMIZATION OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS WERE THE SOLE GOAL OF THE ENDEAVOR, THE MASS CAPSULE PROGRAM SHOULD BE SELECTED. HOWEVER, IF OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS ARE CONSIDERED, SUCH AS THE PARTICIPATION OF THE POPULATION IN THE PROGRAM, CHANGES IN VALUES AND ATTITUDES ACCOMPANYING THE MORTALITY DECLINE, OR THE HEALTH AND NUTRITION BENEFITS, THE PHI APPEARS TO BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE PROGRAM.