Report on first evaluation of health education project

Special evaluation covers the period 10/79-1/81; no methodology is indicated. Project staff positions have been filled by retaining staff from a previous project and recruiting additional teaching, clerical, and medical personnel. In-service training included courses in the three program phases. Staff from 49 of a projected 60 charitable societies (CS) in Nablus, Jenin, Jerusalem, and Hebron attended first aid classes, with the number of graduates (107) exceeding the target by 17. Lesson plans in all three project areas were developed or revised, but expansion, simplification, and translation into Arabic are needed. To date, 4,242 versus a targeted 2,500 mothers have participated in nutrition classes; P.L. 480 Title II commodities were distributed to mothers; and 1,290 children were weighed monthly, showing annual weight increases. CS teachers kept accurate weight records and made home visits to seriously underweight children. Of 3,760 mothers interviewed before and after the course, 80% had changed their food habits. A total of 2,044 (versus an overambitious target of 7,500) mothers completed or are attending first aid classes. Responses to a pre-course questionnaire were used to help determine course content and will be compared to post-course answers to assess course impact. Child development courses for a targeted 1,500 mothers will begin mid-1982. The health classes have been popular with mothers, doctors, and government/community leaders, resulting in unexpected spinoffs: several mothers were offered jobs in day-care centers; food served in schools improved; several CS centers were enlarged to accomodate more mothers and additional services. It is recommended that: (1) CS staff training be increased to allow continuance/expansion of mothers" nutrition classes; (2) nutrition and first aid refresher courses emphasizing hygiene and sanitation be organized for instructors; (3) Catholic Relief Services (CRS) consider extending the project 1-2 years to allow expansion of activities to Gaza; and (4) AID/W and CRS continue to strongly support the project.