Abstract
A study was carried out in St. Elizabeth during the period July to December 1991 to evaluate the effectiveness of two communication channels on mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding food and nutrition. Five communities with high levels of malnutrition and similar socioeconomic and geographical characteristics were selected for the study and assigned to three experimental conditions: a group that was not exposed to any communication channel (group 1); another group that was exposed to group discussion and facilitator (group 2); and a third group that was exposed to facilitator only (group 3). In all, fifteen mothers were assigned to group 1, another fifteen to group 2, and nineteen to group 3. The results showed that positive changes in mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices occurred in all three groups during the period between the baseline and the end of survey evaluation. However, these changes were more substantial in groups 2 and 3, particularly group 2. Although all groups showed improvement in nutritional status the facilitator-only group made the most improvement. Consideration should therefore be given to both communication channels when planning nutrition education programs, especially for underweight children. The type of facilitator may be critical in terms of outcome (nutritional status).
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