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Success and challenges of measuring program impacts: an international study of an infant nutrition program for AIDS
Deborah Sturtevant1, Jane S Wimmer
1Sociology and Social Work, Hope College, 41 Graves Place, Holland, MI 49423, United States.
Insights
The Milk and Medicine (M&M) program in Zambia provides vital support to families affected by HIV/AIDS. This study highlights the program
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
Background:
- The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia significantly impacts maternal survival and family well-being.
- Families face multifaceted hardships including hunger, unemployment, and disease.
- The Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ) initiated the Milk and Medicine (M&M) program to provide essential resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes and impact of the M&M program.
- To identify areas for program improvement based on family feedback and data analysis.
- To refine data management protocols for ongoing program evaluation.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining on-site family interviews with longitudinal data analysis.
- Qualitative data from interviews provided insights into family experiences and program perceptions.
- Quantitative analysis of longitudinal data informed recommendations for data management and future growth rate comparisons.
Main Results:
- Families participating in the M&M program continue to experience significant hardships.
- Families expressed gratitude for the program and offered constructive suggestions for enhancement.
- The study identified needs for improved data management to support future evaluations.
Conclusions:
- Mixed-methods research is effective for evaluating emerging programs in complex settings.
- Programmatic and data management improvements are recommended for the M&M initiative.
- Further evaluations are needed to determine specific program impacts on child growth and development.
Abstract:
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia threatens maternal survival and jeopardizes the ability for families to care for their children. The Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ) operates a program called Milk and Medicine (M&M) that distributes food, formula, and medicine at churches in the compounds. This article reports on a mixed methods study to evaluate the outcomes of the M&M program. On-site interviews with families combined with an analysis of a longitudinal data set were the methods used. The results of the study showed families face continuous hardship including hunger, unemployment, disease, and loss. Families expressed appreciation for the program and its staff and suggested improvements. The longitudinal data review helped researchers to recommend an improved protocol for data management. Improved data will assist researchers in an on-going evaluation to compare the growth rates of children in the study to the Zambian normal growth charts. Lessons learned from this evaluation validated the use of mixed methods design for exploratory research on an emerging program. Lessons were also learned about the difficulty of working in natural settings with political and cultural variations. Future evaluations of the M&M program are expected to shed light on more specific program impacts.
