Evaluation of the Nigeria Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (C-IYCF) Counselling Package

The evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness of the C-IYCF counselling package in improving infant and young child feeding practices in Nigeria. The package was implemented through a network of community volunteers (CVs) who provided counselling and support to pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers. The evaluation used three monitoring forms: the CV Monthly Summary Form, the Facility-Level C-IYCF Monthly Summary Form, and the LGA-Level C-IYCF Monthly Summary Form. These forms collected data on the number of support group meetings held, the number of people counselled one-on-one, the number of people referred to the primary healthcare centre (PHC), and other key indicators. The CV Monthly Summary Form was used to collect data from community volunteers at the facility level. The form recorded the number of support group meetings held, the number of people counselled one-on-one, and the number of people referred to the PHC. The form also collected data on the number of people who attended a support group meeting for the first time and the number of people counselled one-on-one for the first time. The LGA-Level C-IYCF Monthly Summary Form was used to collect data from local government areas (LGAs) at the state level. The form recorded the number of support groups managed by CVs that met at least once in the month, the number of people counselled one-on-one, and the number of people referred to the PHC. The form also collected data on the number of people who attended a support group meeting for the first time and the number of people counselled one-on-one for the first time. The evaluation data showed that the C-IYCF counselling package was effective in improving infant and young child feeding practices in Nigeria. The package reached a large number of people, with over 10,000 people counselled one-on-one and over 5,000 people referred to the PHC. The package also showed a high level of adoption, with over 80% of people counselled one-on-one reporting improved feeding practices. The evaluation also highlighted the importance of community volunteers in implementing the C-IYCF counselling package. The CVs played a critical role in providing counselling and support to pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers, and in promoting the adoption of improved feeding practices. The evaluation recommended that the CVs be supported and empowered to continue their work in promoting improved infant and young child feeding practices in Nigeria. The evaluation was conducted by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. with partners Helen Keller International, the Manoff Group, Save the Children, and the International Food Policy Research Institute. The evaluation was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of the Cooperative Agreement AID-OAA-A-11-00031 (SPRING).