Barriers and Facilitators to Effectiveness of Nutrition and Health Education in Reducing Child Malnutrition in India.

OBJECTIVE

To identify perceived barriers to and facilitators of Nutrition and Health Education (NHE) implementation to address malnutrition through qualitative interviews with key stakeholders.

METHODS

Eight key stakeholders were purposively sampled for virtual, semi-structured interviews, each averaging 50 minutes, in May-June 2023. Thematic data analysis was applied.

RESULTS

NHE implementation is weakened by inadequate infrastructure, delayed funds, workforce shortages, and low community trust. Anganwadi workers remain overburdened and rely on limited participatory approaches. Digital tools add to reporting burdens without improving data use. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a supportive but fragmented role.

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: A bottom-up approach that strengthens skills, supervision, data use, and behavior change evaluation alongside structured roles for NGOs could improve NHE implementation. This study provides policymakers and public health professionals with a conceptual framework of barriers and facilitators across the health system. Broader qualitative inquiries that engage NGOs and government actors could support evidence-based reforms and strengthen NHE delivery.