Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Sociology

Background:

• Madagascar's strategies to combat maternal malnutrition lack effective implementation evaluation.
• Maternal malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in Madagascar.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe beneficiary perceptions of interventions targeting maternal malnutrition.
• To identify beneficiary expectations for improved maternal nutrition programs.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing thematic analysis was conducted in Madagascar's Amoron’i Mania region.
• Data were collected through six focus groups and 16 individual interviews with mothers, pregnant women, and community members.

Main Results:

• Food supplementation, agricultural/livestock improvements, and nutrition education by NGOs are recognized interventions.
• Beneficiaries perceive intervention effectiveness based on personal benefits; project-based interventions are seen as unsustainable.
• Key challenges include insufficient agricultural production hindering access to nutrition education ingredients and low intervention coverage.

Conclusions:

• Existing maternal malnutrition interventions in the region are deemed insufficient by beneficiaries.
• Improving agricultural production is the primary suggestion for combating maternal undernutrition.