The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Nutrition and Health Behaviour Change Communication, along with Home Visits - 15.9 Percentage Point Reduction in Diarrhoea

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Strategy researched

Agriculture production activities integrated with nutrition and health behaviour change communication (BCC), along with home visits by either an older woman leader or health committee member

Impact achieved

The study found statistically significant (P < 0.05) impacts on diarrhoea (difference-in-difference (DID): -15.9 percentage points (pp); P = 0.00) among children aged 3-12.9 months and on anaemia (DID: -14.6 pp; P = 0.03) and mean hemoglobin (Hb) (DID: 0.74 grams per decilitre (g/dL); P = 0.03) among children aged 3-5.9 months in intervention communities compared with control villages. It also found marginally significant (P < 0.10) impacts on mean Hb (DID: 0.51 g/dL; P = 0.07) and wasting (DID: -8.8 pp; P = 0.08).

Country of study

Burkina Faso

Research methodology

Cluster RCT

Journal

Journal of Nutrition; 2015

Journal paper title and link

A 2-Year Integrated Agriculture and Nutrition and Health Behavior Change Communication Program Targeted to Women in Burkina Faso Reduces Anemia, Wasting, and Diarrhea in Children 3-12.9 Months of Age at Baseline: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Excerpt from Abstract

"HKI [Helen Keller International]'s 2-y integrated HFP [homestead food production] +BCC program (HC group) significantly improved several child outcomes, including wasting (marginal), diarrhea, Hb, and anemia, especially among the youngest children. This is the first cluster-randomized controlled trial of an HFP program that documents statistically significant positive effects on these child nutrition outcomes."

Summary at this link