Evaluation of the Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1000 Days Project in Ghana
Authors: Konlan Maxwell B , Habib Helen H , Kushitor Sandra B , Addy Paulina , Dadzie Awurabena Q , Mulder-Sibanda Menno , Aryeetey Richmond Nii Okai 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundSub-optimal nutrition during the first 1000 days of life can impair the physical andcognitive development of children, as well as limit their health and wellbeing. Theimproved feeding practices for the first 1,000 days (IFP) project aimed to improve thedietary practices of women of reproductive age (pregnant and lactating) and children belowages two years in three selected districts (Kassena-Nankana West [KNW], Sekyere East[SE],and Kintampo South[KS]) in Ghana. This integrated project combined interventions onmicronutrient powder (MNP) distribution, social behaviour-change communication, andnutrition-sensitive agriculture to catalyse enhanced awareness and consumption ofnutrient-rich foods in selected communities.ObjectiveThis paper evaluates the IFP project based on measures associated with relevance,effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods design, data from in-depth interviews of project beneficiaries, andkey community-based actors involved in the project’s implementation were triangulatedwith routine project monitoring data, and documentation to answer the evaluationquestions. The evaluation questions and our analyses were guided by the DevelopmentAssistance Committee evaluation criteria. Interviews with key stakeholders wereconducted in June 2023. Key project data were compared between baseline and endlineassessments to ascertain the extent to which the project met its intended objectives andtargets.ResultsThe project demonstrated high relevance of the proposed project among the target groups;for example, nearly half the children were eating low quality, non-diverse diets (49% inKNW, 46% in KS and 35 in SE). The project enabled almost 14,000 children to be reachedwith MNP. While 96,000 eggs were produced, <10% was consumed at home. About 35,000kilograms of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) were produced, resulting in improvedaccess to the nutrient-rich foods produced. Nutrition messages were disseminated widelyand were reported to have contributed to improved awareness of nutrition amongcaregivers. Data-based and reported evidence both indicated there was improved childdietary diversity between baseline and endline of the project; in KNW, 90% of children metminimum dietary diversity at endline compared to 75% at baseline. In KS and SE, theendline estimates of dietary diversity were 71% and 70%, up from 65% in both districts atbaseline, respectively. Multiple strategies aiming to support project sustainability thatwere built into the project design were implemented. Additional sustainability strategiesevolved during the project’s lifetime, including crossbreeding of project chickens withhardier local breeds, continued multiplication of OFSP vines, and transfer of VillageSavings and Loans Association funds accumulated from MNP sale to Village-BasedEntrepreneurs to sustain MNP supply.ConclusionsIFP project delivered interventions successfully, leading to improved awareness andpractices related to diets of women in reproductive age and young children, in projectcommunities. These strategies can be extended to women and children living in similarsettings to improve the diet quality of women and children.