Estratégia de Comunicação para a Mudança Social e de Comportamento para a Prevenção da Desnutrição em Moçambique 2015-2019

Promoters of health acknowledged that simply transmitting messages and communication approaches for individual and collective behavior change would not achieve the desired results. People interpret messages and act based on various socio-cultural factors, including norms, beliefs, values, taboos, and their economic and financial situation. The Mozambican government implemented the Plano de Acção Multissectorial para a Redução da Desnutrição Crónica (PAMRDC) in 2011-2015/20. However, interventions to promote key nutrition practices did not reflect the desired outcomes. To address this, the Ministry of Health developed an approach to social and behavior change communication (CMSC) to influence existing socio-cultural factors in communities and improve nutrition behaviors at individual and collective levels. The Estratégia de Comunicação para a Mudança Social e de Comportamento para a Prevenção da Desnutrição em Moçambique (2015-2019) aims to guide implementers of CMSC programs for preventing malnutrition. The strategy follows a harmonized approach and best practices in nutrition and CMSC globally. It provides technical content, contextualized messages, and guidance for implementing CMSC programs in Mozambique. The strategy focuses on three key areas: (1) promoting key nutrition practices, (2) addressing barriers to change, and (3) developing effective communication channels. The approach is based on a socio-ecological model of behavior change, which considers individual, community, and environmental factors that influence behavior. The strategy identifies four key objectives: (1) to promote key nutrition practices, (2) to address barriers to change, (3) to develop effective communication channels, and (4) to implement the strategy. The strategy also outlines the principles guiding CMSC, including research, creativity, planning, and operationalization. The strategy provides resources for research, planning, and implementation of CMSC, including examples of research approaches with specific audiences. The strategy also includes an inventory of documents related to CMSC and nutrition in Mozambique. The strategy aims to improve the quality and impact of programs for preventing malnutrition in Mozambique. It provides a valuable tool for implementers of CMSC programs to promote key nutrition practices and address barriers to change. The strategy's approach is based on a socio-ecological model of behavior change and considers individual, community, and environmental factors that influence behavior. The strategy's implementation will involve the development of specific CMSC plans for programs, research, creativity, planning, and operationalization. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of formative research, creativity, planning, and operationalization in the implementation of CMSC programs. The strategy's success will depend on the effective implementation of its principles and guidelines. The strategy's impact will be measured through the improvement of nutrition behaviors and the reduction of malnutrition in Mozambique. The strategy's implementation will require the collaboration of various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders. The strategy's resources, including research approaches, planning tools, and implementation guidelines, will be essential in the successful implementation of CMSC programs in Mozambique. The strategy's approach will provide a valuable framework for promoting key nutrition practices and addressing barriers to change in Mozambique.