Project Overview
Undernutrition reduction requires coordinated efforts across sectors to address its causes. A multisectoral approach is important in diagnosing the problem and identifying solutions that would be implemented across different sectors.
This study aimed to explore the experience of health-extension workers (HEWs) and agriculture-extension workers (AEWs) in integrating nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions provided to households with children under two years of age at community level.
A qualitative study was conducted at the community level in rural / agrarian areas of Ethiopia following the completion of a multi-sectoral program that integrated health and agriculture interventions, in 2021. The program’s goal was to reduce stunting and improve the dietary diversity of young children. It was implemented by the Ethiopian federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. Evaluation of the program was the responsibility of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute.
Data and Data Collection Overview
Data were collected using key informant interviews (KIIs) at the community level in three regional states in Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromia and what was then known as the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. Topic guides for the different types of respondents were developed by the research team and training on how to conduct KIIs was provided to data collectors and supervisors. Supervisors were assigned to each region to coordinate the interviews and ensure that all procedures were followed to obtain accurate and relevant information.
In total, 28 KIIs were conducted with health- and agriculture-extension workers and mothers. All participants took part in a face-to-face interview. The interview began with demographic questions about schooling, experience, and professional background. All the interviews were conducted in a private space and were audio recorded. The participants were interviewed in their local languages. The audio recordings were then transcribed and translated by the regional coordinators of the data collection. Qualitative data analysis software NVIVO version 12 software was used in coding and constructing thematic areas from the collected data.
Selection and Organization of Shared Data
The data files shared here consist of 23 de-identified interview transcripts labeled by participant category (8 HEWs, 8 AEWs, 7 Mothers). Five transcript files could not be located by the depositor at the time of data deposit and might be added later if found.
The documentation files shared consist of the original informed consent used, the interview questionnaires (one file combining both sets of topics for mothers, on the one hand, and for extension workers, on the other), this Data Narrative and an administrative README file. |
