Evaluating IYCF Education Program for Infant Mortality in Nepal

This project proposal outlines a randomized controlled study to evaluate the impact of an Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) education program on reducing infant mortality in rural Nepal. The study aims to assess the relationship between maternal education, early breastfeeding initiation, and neonatal mortality. The research will involve 500 women, with an intervention group receiving IYCF training from retired healthcare professionals, and a control group receiving standard Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the IYCF program on exclusive breastfeeding rates, breastfeeding duration, child health, and mortality rates. The project anticipates that the intervention group will exhibit higher breastfeeding rates, contributing to the development of sustainable strategies to improve breastfeeding and achieve child survival and malnutrition Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ethical considerations, data collection methods, statistical analysis, and anticipated outcomes are comprehensively detailed in the proposal, highlighting the potential for public health promotion not only in Nepal but also in other South Asian countries.