Summative evaluation of the 'Promote Good Nutrition' training program

Malnutrition continues to be prevalent among Filipinos, especially children. The Promote Good Nutrition (PGN) is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) which was started in 2007 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and continued under Aquino administration and made a regular program of the National Nutrition Council (NCC). The general objective of the PGN was to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of families to demand adequate nutrition and safe foods. The project aims to assess the extent to which outputs and outcomes were achieved, the quality of the documentation program, assess the process of implementation, efficiency of the program inputs in relation to the accomplishment of desired outcomes, to evaluate the PGN program in terms of relevance and objectives in relation to AHMP context of LGUs, and identify important lessons for recommendation to future activities. A mix quantitative (survey) and qualitative techniques such as focus group discussion and key informant interviews (FGD, KII) was used in data collection. The PGN conducted a total of 4,776 batches of training, involving 138,257 city/numicipal and barangay implementers from 80 provinces and the National Capital Region. The PGN increased the number of 0-6 months old infants that are exclusively breastfed and increased the number of children 6-24 months given complementary foods. The PGN also helped decrease the number of pre-school children with below normal low weight for their age, and increased the consumption of vegetables and eggs. The PGN training generally resulted in the enhancement of health-seeking behavior among mothers, in more responsible parenting as well as greater consciousness about good health for themselves and their family. PGN trainings aim to enabling people to manage their own limited resources and break the cycle of nutrition problems. However, problems and solution need to be contextualized, because problems evolve and people move on. It is recommended that PGN training be sustained. For its sustainability, the following are recommended: 1.Institutionalize PGN trainings from the National to the local levels; 2.Build in continuing quality improvement of training content and processes; 3.Explore the use of multi-media and blended channels of training; 4.Develop an evaluation scheme across levels.