Nutrition Information Systems in Ethiopia: Strengths and Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The success of a nutrition program heavily relies on availability of information for measuring changes in nutrition outcomes and tracking progress in the implementation of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. This study examined the nutrition information systems that capture nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive data in the context of the second National Nutrition Program (NNP II) implemented by the Government of Ethiopia since 2013 with particular focus on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN). Methods Conducted at both national and regional levels, the study employed a cross-sectional study design pursuing a qualitative data collection method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 134 participants selected from 70 national and regional institutions including ministerial and regional offices of selected sectors, special programs and non-governmental organizations. In each organization, NNP II focal persons and Monitoring and Evaluation or Health Management Information system (HMIS) focal persons were purposively selected for interviews. In addition, desk reviews constituted secondary data. The data was thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti version 8. Results The study revealed that the individual sectors and nutrition programs have information systems that capture nutrition data, either alone or as part of systems gathering data on multiple programs and interventions. The findings also show that, except for the health sector, the nutrition information systems in three NNP signatory sectors (education, women children and youth and water irrigation & energy) are in their infancy and are not collecting nutrition-sensitive indicators as required by the NNP II. Important indicators on critical nutrition interventions are lacking in the HMIS. Health workers and managers needed much more information than what the systems currently provide. Conclusions Except the HMIS, the nutrition information systems in place are sub-national and program specific, thus cannot complement the HMIS. Besides, some key MIYCN indicators are missing from the HMIS. Currently, there is no single unified functional national nutrition information system in Ethiopia to inform the NNP II. Funding Sources The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.