[Descriptive study of 43 nutritional education programs in Venezuela]

This study aimed to determine the existing resources and specific characteristics of non-formal nutrition education programs in Venezuela. Of the 174 institutions initially contacted, 43 were involved in these activities-22 official and 21 private institutions. The bulk of the programs fell under the official health sector and the private food industry. While objectives of the former were to motivate and educate the audience, the latter's goal was basically commercial. Forty-three per cent of the program content dealt with basic nutrition concepts; only 19% of programs included information on breast feeding, and maternal and child nutrition. There is a significantly greater use of interpersonal communication (65%) as compared to mass media (35%), irrespective of the type of institution. In the majority of programs, the nutritionist-dietitians and medical doctors carry out their activities, primarily oriented towards homemakers and school-age children. The official health sector gears its programs toward the poor, while the main interest of private industry are the middle and upper class communities. A total of 46% of the official programs and 55% of the private institutions do not include an evaluation component. It is concluded that the nutrition education programs in the country appear to follow traditional concepts as far as objectives, program content, media and target groups are concerned. This could have contributed to the apparent lack of impact of non-formal nutrition education in the country; thus the re-planning of existing programs, is suggested. This should be based on well-defined and measurable objectives: include messages geared toward the practical solution of specific nutrition problems, and the use of combined techniques of social communication with as much participation of the community as possible, not only in program implementation but also in its conception and planning.