Impact Evaluation of a Social Franchise Model for Improving Infant and Young Child Feeding and Child Nutrition in Vietnam

Summary

Alive \& Thrive is an initiative that aims to improve infant and young child feeding practices and reduce childhood stunting. In Vietnam, Alive \& Thrive's primary intervention is implemented through a social franchise linked with the government's health system. The impact evaluation is conducted using a cluster-randomized design in which 20 commune health centers (CHC) were assigned to the social franchise model, and 20 CHC were assigned to routine government services. Repeated cross-sectional baseline and endline surveys will be used to assess the public health impact of this intervention. The baseline was in 2010 and an endline survey in the same communities will be conducted in 2014. Mixed methods process evaluation will be conducted in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to study the pathways through which the program impact is achieved.

Conditions

• Child Nutrition
• Stunting
• Exclusive Breastfeeding
• Complementary Feeding

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standard government health services

This intervention will be basic preventive and curative health services provided by the commune health centers. This includes antenatal care, postnatal care and basic nutrition related counseling.

BEHAVIORAL

Alive & Thrive IYCF franchise services

This intervention includes intensive behavioral counseling to improve infant and young child feeding. A package of 15 counseling contacts that are quality assured and branded will be offered to families of infants and young children. Services might also include user fees.

BEHAVIORAL

Mass media campaign

Alive \& Thrive is implementing a nationwide mass media campaign in 2011, 2012 and 2013, with a focus on improving breastfeeding practices. The mass media intervention includes TV and radio spots as well as an internet site and a telephone hotline.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• FHI 360

  collaborator OTHER

• International Food Policy Research Institute

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Purnima Menon, PhD · International Food Policy Research Institute

• Rahul Rawat, PhD · International Food Policy Research Institute

• Phuong Nguyen, PhD · International Food Policy Research Institute

• Marie T Ruel, PhD · International Food Policy Research Institute

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Max Age

60 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-04-30

Primary Completion

2014-07-31

Completion

2014-12-31

Countries

• Vietnam

Study Locations