Successful nutrition programs in Africa : what makes them work?

Little of the literature on nutrition between 1960 and the 1980s included assessments of effective nutrition programs. In this important study, the author focuses on factors associated with successful nutrition programs in Africa. This report concentrates on summarizing the information received from a mail survey, telephone and personal interviews and in-depth case studies. Seven factors were mentioned repeatedly as important to the success of nutrition programs: (a) community participation; (b) program flexibility; (c) institutional structure; (d) recovery of recurrent costs; (e) multifaceted program activities; (f) well-trained and qualified staff; and (g) infrastructure. The author concludes that these findings are preliminary and require further validation.