ProPAN 2.0 (Process for the Promotion of Child Feeding): a Tool for Infant and Young Child Feeding Programming

Abstract

Setting‐specific program guidance on infant and young child feeding, particularly complementary feeding continues to be a challenge. To address this, we developed ProPAN, a step‐by‐step tool aimed at ministries of health, NGOs and international organizations. ProPAN consists of a field manual and software based on Epi Info™ for data entry and analysis. Its features include 1) A process for identifying specific nutritional and dietary problems and understanding the context in which these occur; 2) A method for identifying, ranking and selecting practices that are practical, feasible and acceptable; 3) Electronic templates for rapid data collection, and software for statistical analysis and standardized reports; 4) Joint consideration of breastfeeding and complementary feeding; 5) Integration of quantitative and qualitative methods and instructions for their analysis; and, 6) Guidance on how to convert data into an implementable program. ProPAN 2.0 incorporates the WHO Child Growth Standards, WHO/UNICEF Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators, a method to measure responsive feeding, questions on HIV and infant feeding, MUAC for use in emergency settings, and outputs to use with WHO's Optifood program. The updated version is based on lessons learned from global implementation. Developed by PAHO/WHO and UNICEF with support from the US CDC and Emory University, ProPAN 2.0 is freely available in English, French and Spanish at www.paho.org/ProPAN. This work was funded in part by GAIN.