Objectives
According to the Pakistan NNS 2011, 63 % children <5 have anemia and 33% have iron deficiency anemia. The objective of the project was to test the feasibility of delivering multiple micronutrient powders (MNP) to children 6-24 months in 40% of population not covered by LHWs in Khushab and Rawalakot Districts of Pakistan through MI funding
Methods
The project implementation was preceded by formative research and IEC material was developed in light of the findings. MNPs were delivered through a network of community resource persons (CRPs), who received ad hoc training. The intervention was to provide 180 MNP sachets to each of 17,215 children 6-24 months in three cycles of 6 months over 18 months. CRPs visited children regularly and recorded MNP consumption. Tools were developed for monitoring of the project and end line survey conducted
Results
Through this collaboration with CRPs in areas not covered by LHWs, we reached nearly all children. In Rawalakot district overall, 99% of the children 6-24 months registered in the project area received 180 sachets of MMNPs of which, 20% consumed all 180 while 94% consumed at least 80% sachets (145+). In Khushab overall, 99% of children received 180 MMNPs sachets, of which 25% consumed all 180 while 98% consumed at least 80% sachets (145+)
Conclusions
This operational research practically demonstrated that the 40% Pakistans children not reached by LHWs can be reached by partnering with a large community based organization
