Multi-stakeholder’s Analysis of Micronutrient Intervention Strategies and Public Health Measures to Prevent Micronutrient Deficiencies in South East Asia (SMILING Project)
Yves Kameli *
Institute of Research for Development, Montpellier, France.
Mary Chea
Ministry of Health National Maternal and Child Health Centre, Phnom Phen, Cambodia.
Pattanee Winichagoon
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sengchanh Kownnavong
National Institute of Public Health, Vientiane, Laos.
Siti Muslimatun
SEMEO-Recfon, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Le Bach Mai
National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
Tran Thi Lua
National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
Airin Roshita
National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: The SMILING EU project aims at introducing state-of-the-art knowledge into policy to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition in women of reproductive age (WRA) and young children in five SEA countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. The objective of the present study was to appraise multi-stakeholders viewpoints on intervention strategies to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.
Methods: Multi criteria mapping (MCM) was used to evaluate stakeholder’s point of views on asset of priority interventions for an appropriate, timely, feasible and effective prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. MCM technique was realized through a face-to-face computer-assisted interview. Twenty interviews have been conducted in each 5 SEA countries. Stakeholders were selected: government, academic, civil society, NGO, private sector and international institutions.
Results: The number of interventions presented to stakeholders differed between SEA countries (6 in Indonesia, 8 in Lao PDR, 9 in Cambodia and Thailand and 11 in Vietnam) and was country specific. Interventions were grouped into 6 clusters; supplementation, fortification, food based approach, educational initiatives, indirect interventions and global strategies, allowing comparison among countries. Cambodia included specific options on education; Lao PDR appraised the homestead food production system and Vietnam the intermittent supplementation.
Conclusions: Each SEA country had specific approach and focused on different strategies to prevent micronutrients deficiencies. Stakeholder’s analysis allowed to underline consensus and differences between the different groups of stakeholders and to define the best strategy to be implemented in each of the five SEA countries.
Funding: European Commission, FP7, GA-2896-16.