Impact Assessment of a Behavior Change Communication Program in Niger
Objectives: This study assesses the impact of behavior change communication on early initiation of breastfeeding in Niger. Study Design: A secondary analysis of a post intervention survey conducted in Niger in 2011. The study population includes 2,091 women aged 15-49 years with children less than 23 months. They are categorized into an intervention group exposed to the communication program and control groups not exposed to the intervention. Outcome, Measures and Analysis: The outcome vari- able is early initiation of breastfeeding, which is defined as putting a child to breast within 1 hour of birth. Independent variables include different types of communication program activities. Other variables include socio-demographic, economic, environmental and health seeking behavior related in- dicators. Chi-square tests identify the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding based on the entire population of the study sample. Stratified bivariate analysis and multivar- iate logistic regression examine the influence of the communication program on initiation of breastfeeding. Results: Based on the entire population, home visits by trained community volunteers to mothers showed slight but positive influence on improved initiation of breastfeeding which increased by 15% compared to mothers who have not received home visits (95% CI: -11, 34). Regardless of socio-economic vulnerability, mothers' involvement in breastfeeding promotion increased by 99% their early initiation of breastfeeding compared to those not involved in any health promotion activities (95% CI: 39, 185). Conclusions: The study suggests that a community based participatory approach could be an equity-focused model for behavior change in early initiation of breastfeeding.
Annual Conference (Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior)