A Fast Track article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
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Authors:

Neda Ezzeddin
Naser Kalantari
Farid Zayeri
Parisa Amiri
Morteza Abdollahi

Objective:

A nutrition-sensitive agriculture program was developed and implemented in Iran, to improve the nutrition status of rural and nomadic women. We conducted a process evaluation to show the program implementation status.

Methods:

This is a mixed-methods cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran Province. We acquired qualitative data from documents, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. We collected quantitative information through program reports and a cross-sectional study. We performed a thematic content analysis to analyze the qualitative data using MAXQDA software and used SPSS to analyze the quantitative data.

Results:

Program implementation was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the pandemic, context evaluation also recognized other barriers including recourse and structural-cultural constrains. The previous knowledge and experience of rural women and their readiness to accept the program were some facilitators of the program implementation. Based on the cross-sectional study results, about 21% and 23.8 % of women definitely received both trainings (nutrition and vegetable gardening) and vegetables seeds respectively.

Conclusions:

Our results provide evidence for policymakers and planners that could be effective in program redesign or improving the implementation process.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_1014