1. Nutri-action analysis as a research strategy to improve nutrition information, education and communication interventions in Asia.
- Author
-
Smitasiri S and Dhanamitta S
- Subjects
- Asia, Community Participation, Humans, Nutritional Status, Research Design, Communication, Information Services, Nutritional Sciences education
- Abstract
What is lacking in nutrition information, education and communication (IEC) work today is accurate knowledge about the processes which bring about beneficial nutritional behavior changes. In this paper, Nutri-action Analysis is proposed as a mechanism for nutrition planners to gain this knowledge and seek ways to improve the effectiveness of nutrition IEC interventions. It suggests that a more holistic and dynamic approach is necessary to conceptualize nutrition IEC and increase its effectiveness in bringing about changes in behaviors which lead to nutritional status improvement. Nutri-Action Analysis, as a research strategy, is illustrated by a three-stage procedure: (i) pre-action, (ii) action, and (iii) post-action. This process leads investigators to begin conducting a macro-analysis of nutrition IEC in general and within their specific contexts in order to understand the system and identify the best approach to be adopted for a nutrition IEC intervention in their particular context. What is discovered should then be tested in a community-based operational research study using both quantitative and qualitative data so that it is possible to subsequently conduct a synthesis focusing on process determinants.
- Published
- 1996