Stakeholder Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators on the Implementation of the 1000 Days Plus Nutrition Policy Activities in Ghana

Anne Galaurchi, Samuel T. Chatio, Paula Beeri, Abraham R. Oduro, Winfred Ofosu, Mark Hanson, Marie-Louise Newell, Shane A. Norris, Kate A. Ward, Engelbert A. Nonterah, Regien Biesma and on behalf of the INPreP Study Group
Additional contact information
Anne Galaurchi: Global Health Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
Samuel T. Chatio: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo 00233, Ghana
Paula Beeri: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo 00233, Ghana
Abraham R. Oduro: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo 00233, Ghana
Winfred Ofosu: Upper East Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Bolgatanga 00233, Ghana
Mark Hanson: Institute of Developmental Sciences and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, Southampton SO17 1 BJ, UK
Marie-Louise Newell: Department of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1 BJ, UK
Shane A. Norris: SAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
Kate A. Ward: SAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
Engelbert A. Nonterah: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo 00233, Ghana
Regien Biesma: Global Health Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
on behalf of the INPreP Study Group: INPreP Study Group

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Optimizing nutrition in the preconception and 1000 days periods have long-term benefits such as higher economic productivity, reduced risk of related non-communicable diseases and increased health and well-being. Despite Ghana’s recent progress in reducing malnutrition, the situation is far from optimal. This qualitative study analyzed the maternal and child health nutrition policy framework in Ghana to identify the current barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nutrition policies and programs relating to the first 1000 days plus. Data analyzed included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Ghana between March and April 2019. Participants were composed of experts from government agencies, civil society organizations, community-based organizations and international partners at national and subnational levels. Seven critical areas were identified: planning policy implementation, resources, leadership and stakeholders’ engagement, implementation guidance and ongoing communication, organizational culture, accountability and governance and coverage. The study showed that, to eradicate malnutrition in Ghana, priorities of individual stakeholders have to be merged and aligned into a single 1000 days plus nutrition policy framework. Furthermore, this study may support stakeholders in implementing successfully the 1000 days plus nutrition policy activities in Ghana.

Keywords: maternal child health; nutrition; first 1000 days; 1000 days plus; qualitative research; Ghana; Sub-Saharan Africa; health policy implementation; barriers; stakeholder analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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