Following a baseline study which identified high rates of malnutrition among children (0 to 3 years) in Nampulla Province, Transforming Nutrition (TN) and USAID Advancing Nutrition collaborated to integrate responsive care and early learning (RCEL) and monitoring for child development into TN’s community-based activities, including support for the widely used multi-sectoral nutrition intervention package (Pacote de Intervenções de Nutrição (PIN)) for community-based services. The initiative also helped create an enabling environment for these services by engaging policymakers, government technicians, and other stakeholders at the provincial and national levels in multi-sectoral coordination to ensure the sustainability of these efforts. Trained volunteers delivered the content to caregivers through community-based nutrition groups and home visits.
 
Using a mixed methods study, USAID Advancing Nutrition examined the implementation experience, feasibility and acceptability of the integrated program, and impact of the integrated program on children’s development. Findings from qualitative data showed integration was feasible and acceptable; however, researchers only observed limited increases in caregiver engagement in early learning activities and no effects on child development (full study results are detailed in a forthcoming manuscript anticipated in mid-2024).

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Related links:
• RCEL Resource collection
• RCEL Video series
• Mozambique nurturing care case study

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Organization: USAID Advancing Nutrition and Transform Nutrition
Year: 2024
Languages: English and Portuguese
Web link: https://www.advancingnutrition.org/what-we-do/activities/integrating-responsive-care-and-early-learning-mozambique