Holly McKee, of Bioanalyt, tells of her experience supporting data collection to evaluate Helen Keller International’s Enhanced Homestead Food Production (EHFP) program in Indonesia. The EHFP Indonesia program addresses micronutrient deficiencies among children by educating families on nutrition, diet, and farming practices. During the program, over 4,000 households began growing their own gardens and teaching others in their community to do the same. To measure impact, researchers collected blood samples and data on participants’ nutritional status, but study participation was low. As an incentive, cards were provided to participants that detailed the results of the nutritional assessment, increasing participation to almost 100%, and allowing implementers to provide timely feedback to families.
HKI, September 2016