Advancing Use of Nutrition Knowledge to Improve Practice by Policy and Program Communities in India During a Political Transition.

Jessica L Escobar-Alegria,Edward A Frongillo

doi:10.1093/cdn/nzab120

Abstract

ABSTRACTModels are needed for how to advance use of knowledge by programs and policy officials to make evidence-based decisions about nutrition. How to advance use of nutrition knowledge in India from 2011 to 2015 during a political transition was investigated through studying a knowledge initiative led by the International Food Policy Research Institute. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 37 diverse participants, and 1091 news articles, 318 Twitter and 175 Facebook posts, 12 YouTube events, 65 knowledge products, and 130 engaging events were assessed. Open-axial coding, content and themes analysis, triangulation, and process tracing were used. The knowledge initiative analyzed the landscape, made knowledge available, mobilized it, and engendered its use. After political transition, knowledge was readied for the reassembled nutrition technical community, including timely responses to governmental information needs. Making nutrition knowledge available, mobilizing it, and engendering its use can be advanced through knowledge initiatives in large, complex countries during political transitions.

Highlights

Malnutrition has large social and economic consequences affecting most countries [1]
Analyzing the landscape and making knowledge available Preceding POSHAN’s design, initial inception activities assessed the landscape of nutrition stakeholders for addressing undernutrition in India, identified actors and their influence power at national and state levels, and developed strategic priorities for making knowledge available, mobilizing it, and engendering its use (Figure 1)
POSHAN made knowledge available (Box 1) by creating multiple forms of knowledge products to be disseminated on virtual platforms and during in-person events

Summary

Introduction

Malnutrition has large social and economic consequences affecting most countries [1]. Nutrition is affected through multiple sectors, levels, and systems that together create an environment that influences household and individual decision-making, provision and access to services, and resources [1]. Reducing malnutrition in all forms requires promoting environments that enable “political and policy processes which build and sustain momentum for the effective implementation of actions that prevent or reduce malnutrition” [2]. Enabling environments have “(a) knowledge, data, and evidence and its effective framing and communication; (b) political commitment, effective governance, and sound policy; and (c) leadership, capacity, and financing” [1]. Data, and evidence, what is most needed is that knowledge is available, accessible, and used regarding how to catalyze and implement what works at scale in a sustainable way in countries. Making knowledge readily available increases access and use of evidence [4].

Methods

Results

Conclusion