A Feasibility Study of Integrating Maternal Nutrition Interventions Into Antenatal Care Services in Ethiopia

"1. Intensified counselling on dietary diversity and increased meal frequency during pregnancy.~2. Strengthened government distribution of IFA supplies with counseling about its importance, managing side effects, and reminder about subsequent supplies.~3. Weight-gain monitoring with messaging to mothers about healthy diet and adequate rest; excess weight gain as a danger sign.~4. Intensified counseling on importance, benefits, and how-tos of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding."

"1. Home visits to pregnant women by HEWs to discuss maternal nutrition (dietary diversity, adequate food intake, IFA supplementation, and weight gain), early breastfeeding practices, provide ANC and Pregnant Women Conference referrals, and engage husbands.~2. HEWs use A\&T intervention tools (e.g. posters and maternal nutrition follow-up card) at Pregnant Women Conferences/ Mother Support Groups to reinforce maternal nutrition messages, encourage ANC attendance, distribute IFA tablets, measure and track weight gain, promote early breastfeeding practices, and encourage husband participation.~3. HEWs and community volunteers (Women's Development Army (WDA), imams, etc.) deliver maternal nutrition messages and encourage ANC visits at kebele and community meetings."

"1. Trainings on the maternal nutrition interventions for health center heads, nurse-midwives, HEWs, community volunteers (WDA, imams, etc.), woreda health officers, and other key actors.~2. Supportive supervision of maternal nutrition activities conducted by woreda nutrition officers, woreda health officers, TDA or A\&T."