National nutrition improvement project; final evaluation

Final project evaluation covers the period 10/1/79-5/31/82 and is based on interviews with project officials, document review, and site visits. Although the project has achieved much, steps must be taken to maintain these accomplishments in the post project period. Initial emphasis was on establishing a Food and Nutrition Department (DAN - responsible for formulating nutrition policies), a National Food and Nutrition Institute (INAN - responsible for nutrition research), and a National Food and Nutrition System (FFNS). Within this institutional framework, the project concentrated on implementing 10 basic studies and experimental projects to analyze and resolve Bolivia"s nutrition problems; assuring permanent GOB financing of INAN; and designing and implementing in-country training activities to support basic studies and experimental projects. Establishment of DAN, INAN, and NFNS were the project"s major achievements, along with the completion of 10 nutrition studies and three experimental projects. The project-funded studies revealed that endemic goiter, infant malnutrition, and Avitaminosis A are major problems, as is a decline in breastfeeding. To address these problems, the project undertook a national campaign to combat goiter and a mass media nutrition education campaign, added nutrition education to the primary school curriculum, and expanded production and processing of tarhui for human consumption. To maintain the project"s achievements, steps must be taken to: strengthen the role of DAN; coordinate all nutrition policies within the NFNS; assure the continued decentralized, semi-autonomous status of INAN; and develop policies and programs, utilizing the information provided by the studies and experimental projects, which actually begin to address Bolivia"s nutrition problems. The basic studies and experimental projects are summarized in 15 annexes.