Evaluation of REACTS-IN Program to Improve Nutrition, Gender Equality, and Health Services for Women, Children, and Adolescents in Rural Bangladesh, Kenya, and Tanzania

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating World Visions 7-year intervention called Realizing Gender Equality, Attitudinal Change and Transformative Systems in Nutrition REACTS-IN, aimed at improving nutrition, nutrition-related rights, and gender equality for women, adolescent girls, and children under five years old in rural Bangladesh, Kenya, and Tanzania. This multi-sectoral approach integrates nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health system strengthening to improve access to quality, gender-responsive health services focusing on malnutrition prevention and treatment at the primary care level. The evaluation examines changes in child growth, dietary habits, womens empowerment, and equitable access to health services for nutrition and sexual and reproductive health, considering gender differences. The intervention includes nutrition-specific activities like school-based iron-folic acid supplementation for adolescent girls and nutrition-sensitive activities such as water, sanitation, and hygiene education, delivered through local health systems, schools, and communities. The evaluation compares intervention areas receiving these programs to comparison areas with no intervention but standard care available. Data will be collected at baseline, midpoint, and end-line from households, schools, and health facilities to assess changes over approximately five years. Participants will be surveyed on demographic, economic, and environmental factors, as well as knowledge and practices related to nutrition, hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health. Health staff and community leaders will provide qualitative data on gender-equitable service access. The primary outcomes measured include gender equality and child anthropometry changes, with additional outcomes covering maternal and child dietary practices, health service use, adolescent knowledge, and family planning. This evaluation spans about five years to capture the total impact of the intervention.

Evaluation of REACTS-IN, an Intervention to Improve Nutrition, Hygiene, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Services