Project Overview
This project explores how nutrition-sensitive social protection programs (SPPs) can be enhanced through the integration of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) to address persistent malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Bangladesh and Pakistan. While SPPs play a vital role in supporting food security and reducing poverty, nutrition-sensitive interventions aim to address the underlying determinants of malnutrition by promoting positive health and nutrition behaviors. SBCC has shown promise in improving practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and hygiene, particularly when paired with cash transfer programs. However, the evidence on how best to integrate SBCC within SPPs remains limited. This study pilots a formative research approach that incorporates co-design sessions with program beneficiaries to ensure culturally relevant and community-informed SBCC strategies. The study objectives include: (1) assessing current knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to nutrition-sensitive SPPs; (2) identifying key messages, communication channels, and actors to improve SBCC delivery; and (3) defining effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure the inputs, outputs, and impact of SBCC within SPPs. By centering the voices of stakeholders and beneficiaries, the project aims to strengthen the behavioral impact of nutrition programming in low- and middle-income country contexts.
Data and Data Collection Overview
This study employed a mixed-methods qualitative approach to explore nutritionsensitive SPPs in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Data collection began with a systematic literature review and landscape analysis to assess the effectiveness of SBCC strategies within existing SPPs. To gain culturally grounded insights, a needs assessment was conducted with key stakeholders and program beneficiaries in both countries. Semi-structured interviews were used with SPP stakeholders who due to their professional roles and schedules could serve as key informants (KIs), allowing researchers to probe complex, context-specific challenges and opportunities for program improvement. Among community beneficiaries, data were collected 2 through focus group discussions (FGDs), which facilitated open dialogue in a non-threatening environment, encouraging participants to share their KAP related to nutrition. Moderators, trained in ethical and rigorous qualitative techniques, followed a standardized discussion guide and integrated a 30-minute co-design session within each FGD to promote participatory input on SBCC messaging. All qualitative research followed the COREQ 32-item checklist for best practices. Data were analyzed using grounded theory and thematic analysis, supported by NVIVO 14 software, to generate themes from participant responses and uncover social dynamics influencing nutrition outcomes. Ethics approval was secured from relevant institutional review boards in both countries.
Selection and Organization of Shared Data
The data files shared here include de-identified transcripts from focus group discussions (8 beneficiary groups in Bangladesh, including 2 reference groups of service providers, and 4 beneficiary groups in Pakistan - a total of 12 FGDs with 134 participants). The Pakistani FGD transcribes are labelled PU for urban groups and PR for rural groups. There are also 30 total semi-structured key informant interviews (20 KIIs from Bangladesh and 10 KIIs from Pakistan). The documentation files provided consist of the original informed consent form, the interview guides for the FGDs and the KIIs, this Data Narrative, participant demographics list for Pakistani FGDs, both countries’ KIIs, and an administrative README file. The participant demographic lists for each Bangladeshi FGD transcript are included at the beginning of the respective files. |
