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 among Nigerian mothers. The evaluation focused on households in various locations, including Kajuru LGA, and collected data on household characteristics, women's characteristics, child characteristics, and exposure to nutrition support and the C-IYCF counselling program. Household characteristics were assessed through a series of tables, which provided information on household members, assets, toilet facilities, and wealth. The data showed that households in Kajuru LGA had limited access to toilet facilities, with only 22% of households having access to improved toilet facilities. Additionally, the data revealed that households in Kajuru LGA had limited wealth, with 71% of households having a monthly income of less than N50,000. Women's characteristics were also assessed through a series of tables, which provided information on respondents' age, religion, language, residence, marital status, and household head. The data showed that the majority of respondents (85%) were between the ages of 20 and 39 years, and 62% of respondents were Muslim. Additionally, the data revealed that 71% of respondents were married, and 55% of respondents were household heads. Child characteristics were assessed through a series of tables, which provided information on background characteristics of children, exposure to nutrition support, and the C-IYCF counselling program. The data showed that 85% of children under 2 years of age were exposed to nutrition support, and 75% of children under 2 years of age were exposed to the C-IYCF counselling program. Additionally, the data revealed that 60% of children under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed, and 80% of children under 2 years of age were continued breastfeeding. The evaluation also assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to maternal nutrition, breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and continued breastfeeding. The data showed that 85% of respondents had knowledge about maternal nutrition, and 75% of respondents had knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, the data revealed that 60% of respondents had confidence in their ability to breastfeed for two years, and 80% of respondents intended to breastfeed for two years. Overall, the evaluation found that the C-IYCF counselling package was effective in improving infant and young child feeding practices among Nigerian mothers. The data showed that households in Kajuru LGA had limited access to toilet facilities and wealth, but the C-IYCF counselling package helped to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to maternal nutrition, breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and continued breastfeeding.