Dl. Pelletier et R. Shrimpton, THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION OFCOMMUNITY NUTRITION-PROGRAMS, Health policy and planning, 9(2), 1994, pp. 171-184
Protein-energy malnutrition has many diverse location-specific causes
which make if difficult to solve through uniform interventions impleme
nted through vertical programmes. This paper investigates the role of
information in the planning, management and evaluation of several comm
unity nutrition programmes judged to be successful. The programmes com
e from Tanzania (Iringa), India (Tamil Nadu), Dominican Republic and C
olombia. The review finds that the initial conceptualization and desig
n of these programmes benefited from the results of earlier surveys an
d experience with similar programmes in the same or other countries. S
trong capacity for operations research is important to assist with a m
yriad of small but important programme design details and larger mid-t
erm re-orientations. The impact of this information depends upon the f
lexibility of the programme and receptivity of its management towards
a learning-by-doing approach. Information for on-going programme manag
ement differs widely and conforms to the overall character of the indi
vidual programme. Thus, Iringa employs a simple system based on commun
ity growth monitoring, primarily to catalyze intervention planning and
action at household and community levels. Tamil Nadu's system is far
more complex and is primarily intended to assist in the delivery of ce
ntrally planned interventions. Programme evaluation benefited from inf
ormation generated within the programme, but more rigorous impact eval
uation requires stronger designs and more in-depth analysis than is us
ually provided. Overall, the review suggests that characteristics like
community participation, empowerment and growth monitoring are less i
mportant in the short/medium term than strong management, a learning-b
y-doing approach, and the existence of some method for informing progr
amme design and management about community needs and responses to the
programme. The former characteristics may well be important for the lo
nger-term sustainability of programmes.