Summits - SBCC and C4D
Gathering in person to advance informed and engaged societies
Summits - SBCC and C4D
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
Time to read
1 minute
Print
a- a+
Published 13 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
Read so far

Impact of pilot project of Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) on destitute women: CARE, Bangladesh

0 comments

Roy, S. K., F. Bilkes, et al. (2008) Impact of pilot project of Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) on destitute women: CARE, Bangladesh. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 67-75

BACKGROUND: The rate of malnutrition among women in Bangladesh is high, but historically there has not been a specific program focusing on the improvement of the nutritional status of Bangladeshi women.

OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in the nutritional status of destitute women of the Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) by incorporating a health and nutrition intervention package with RMP ongoing activities.

METHODS: An intervention study involving 1,275 poor destitute women was conducted from July 2004 to June 2005 in 17 districts in Bangladesh under two field offices, Mymensingh and Jessore, covering 8 and 9 districts, respectively. The respondents were divided into intervention, comparison, and control groups. All participants in the intervention and comparison groups were paid as part of the RMP and received weekly 30-minute nutrition interventions for 7 weeks in addition to routine training. The comparison group also received RMP training. The control group consisted of women with similar demographic characteristics to the intervention and comparison groups who did not receive pay or any intervention. The intervention was a unique combination of the three components of the UNICEF triangle model (food security, caring practices, and disease control). Data on socioeconomic and anthropometric characteristics, immunization, and vitamin A capsule intake were also collected with the use of a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean body weight had significantly increased by 1,333 g in the intervention group and had decreased by 277 g in the control group and 147 g in the comparison group. The body mass index of women in the intervention group had also significantly increased at the end of the study (p < .001). There was a significant increase in the intake of iodized salt in the intervention group as well as increased immunization coverage in all groups. Intake of the first vitamin A capsule by children increased (from 60% to 97%) in the intervention group only.

CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition pilot intervention was highly effective in improving the nutritional status of women in the RMP.