Pastoral community platforms as channels for behavioural change for nutrition
This publication (PDF) by Transform Nutrition and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse explores the potential of pastoral-community platforms to channel maternal, infant and young-child nutrition messages to community members. A seven-month behavioral change intervention assessed the ability of pastoral-community platforms to increase awareness on optimal practices to promote positive behavioral changes in the communities. The goal was to assess the potential of using Pastoral Field Schools (PFS) and Village Community Banks (VICOBA) groups for social behavioral change communication. The study found that these platforms have potential for channeling messages on key maternal, infant and young-child nutrition practices. It was found that some perceptions on these practices, income and educational status were among the factors that can influence them. The authors recommend that these platforms could be used in other pastoral areas where use of the usual health extension package can be challenging. VICOBA, as one of the rural financial institutions in remote pastoral areas, can be considered as a means to promote optimal nutrition through improved household income. However, there should be explicit nutrition objectives incorporated into the VICOBA to ensure that nutrition will be improved.
Complementary to this publication are some case studies (PDF) which provide an insight into the perceptions of the participants of the study.