DOI: 10.7910/dvn/tfhy5k
title: Reporting data on implementation of nutrition education using the Community Health Promoters’ cascade model in urban informal settlements in Kisumu (2023-2025)

description: This data was collected through the HealthyFoodAfrica Project (https://healthyfoodafrica.eu/), a research and innovation initiative aimed at improving nutrition in Africa by enhancing the diversity, sustainability, resilience, and connectivity of food systems. The project seeks to effectively reconnect food production and consumption. It was implemented in 10 cities across six African countries.

A core component of the project was conducting nutrition education to raise consumer awareness and promote the consumption of nutritious foods. We collected the data here as part of our routine reporting on the progress of nutrition education activities within the community.

The dataset includes information on:
• Names of community units and villages where nutrition education sessions were conducted
• Number of households reached
• Gender of community members reached
• Duration of sessions
• Ages of children
• Nutrition topics covered
• Educational materials used
• Questions raised by community members
• Main challenges encountered during implementation

Data collection was essential for answering the following key questions:
• Was the nutrition education intervention implemented as intended?
• What key factors influenced the implementation of the nutrition education intervention?
• What gaps exist within the implemented nutrition education model?
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Methodology:Data for this study were collected as part of a nutrition education implementation activity conducted between July 2023 and June 2024 in two urban informal settlements in Kisumu, Kenya: Manyatta A and Obunga. The participants included households with women of reproductive age and children aged 6–23 months who were engaged in the nutrition education program.

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) were responsible for delivering the nutrition education and collecting data to monitor the activity's progress. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using paper-based reporting forms, which CHPs completed during every interaction with community members—either during household visits or group education sessions. These forms (first visit, group sessions and follow-up visits) were later entered into the FormShare platform by data entry clerks.

We implemented the nutrition education intervention in three distinct phases:
• Mobilization Phase: CHPs conducted initial household visits to introduce the project, provide basic nutrition education, and encourage households to attend group education sessions. Data during this phase were collected using the First Household Visit Reporting Form.
• Group Education Phase: Mobilized households participated in group nutrition education sessions held in community spaces such as churches, community halls, or the homesteads of community members. CHPs used the Group Sessions Reporting Form to document participation and session details.
• Follow-up Phase: CHPs revisited households to assess the adoption of nutrition practices taught during the group sessions and to reinforce key messages. During this phase, data were collected using the Follow-up Household Visit Reporting Form.

Justification for Selecting the Two Informal Settlements.
The two informal settlements were purposively selected due to their status as some of the most densely populated areas within Kisumu City. These settlements are characterized by inadequate housing, limited access to basic infrastructure, high poverty levels, food insecurity, and poor health and nutrition indicators. Previous assessments have reported high rates of household food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children under five years and women of reproductive age, making these communities a priority for nutrition interventions.