USAID’s Improving Nutrition through Community based Approaches (INCA) Activity. Report for 25th Bangladesh BCC Working Group Meeting Date: 10 September 2018 Caritas Bangladesh www.inca-bd.org

Basic information: Project title: Supported by: USAID’s Improving Nutrition through Community based Approaches (INCA) Activity Supported by: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Implementing Organization: Lead organization: Caritas Bangladesh Partner organization: United Purpose (UP) Project duration: 3 years, from May 15, 2017 to May 14, 2020

Basic information cont.… INCA Goal To improve the nutritional status of women and children in selected undernourished and rural areas of Bhola, Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts. INCA Objectives To improve nutritional practices during the first thousand days of life. The objective will be achieved through two intermediate results in select Feed the Future rural areas: Improved knowledge of communities on proper nutritional requirements during the first thousand days of life Increased access to and use of health and nutrition services at community based health facilities

Working area: District Sub-district (Upazila) Bhola All sub-district Laxshipur 2, Ramgati & Kamalnagar Noakhali 2, Subarnachar & Hatiya

Targeted beneficiaries 1000’ day Households Pregnant Women Lactating Mother, and Children under 2 years Husband/father/ in-laws Adolescents girls Members of Community Nutrition Support Group of Community Clinic Health and Nutrition Service Providers of Community based Health Facilities Local Service Providers (LSP): SBA, Village Doctor, Agriculture & Livestock Service Providers, Teachers, Village leaders etc.

Key interventions: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) Maternal nutrition Adolescent nutrition Promotion of handwashing Strengthening community based health facility Community nutrition support group (CNSG) Women information center (WIC)

Counselling on IYCF with PW& LM 167,862 HH and community level SBCC activities # of active. Total part. venue Input Output Modality-partnershipcoordina. Counselling on IYCF with PW& LM 167,862 HH and community level Individual and family counselling Informed MIYCN Self Session with mothers groups 13,234 185,276 Do Courtyard Session Session with fathers groups 4,331 43,310 Session with mother-in-laws group 4,845 58,140 Session with adolescents girls group 2,554 20,432 Informed nutrition personal hygiene

SBCC activities # of active. Total part. venue Input Output Modality Food plate distribution to PM 11,627 Household level Food Plate received by Pregnant mothers Informed balanced food and food diversity and practicing Shared with partners Nutrition Calendar distribution 13,903 Do Calendar Aware maternal nutrition DO Billboard established, installation 40 Strategic location at Community level Bill board Mass awareness on IYCF Involved local administration National Nutrition Week celebration 1,525 25,637 Community, sub-district, district and national level Events Mass awareness on basic nutrition Jointly celebrated

Distribution of SBCC materials

Use of SBCC materials at community level

Some photographs of SBCC activities

Results Increased willingness to know about nutrition among the mothers and other household members. Increased knowledge and practices of nutrition related behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers. Engagement of husband and mother in laws of pregnant mother has been increased in care of pregnant mother Increased demand for nutrition services at community based health facility. Govt. Front line health workers oriented on nutrition and started counselling on maternal and infant child nutrition using SBCC materials. CNSG Work Plan help to identify problems on health and nutrition of the community.

Lesson Learned Nutrition calendar for pregnant women has engaged pregnant women and family members to track, monitor and assist in positive nutritional practices at the household level. Mobile video demonstration during counseling is an effective method for increasing awareness regarding nutrition and food. Food bowl is a unique counseling and demonstration tool for complementary feeding among CNPs, CHCPs, FWVs and other community based health and nutrition service providers. Community Nutrition Support Groups (CNSG) have been formed a space at Community Clinics to discuss matters concerning nutrition services as well as influencing CG, CSG and local health and nutrition authorities to ensure nutrition services at the community level.

Question, please. Thank You Thank You Please visit www.inca-bd.org for more details