An outcome and process evaluation of the PAMSCAD supplementary food program at Ayeredee in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana, West Africa

Abstract

This research was an evaluation of the impact of a nutrition program on women at Ayeredee in the Nkoranza district of the Brong—Ahafo region of Ghana, west Africa. As a part of Ghana\u27s emphasis on primary health care, the program is aimed at improving children\u27s nutritional status and preventing malnutrition, disease and death. Specifically, the Program of Action to Mitigate the Social Cost or Adjustment (PAMSCAD) supplementary food program was examined to determine whether the goals of the program are being met. An empowerment agenda which focused on both process and outcome was used as the conceptual framework for the evaluation. The objectives were to collect descriptive data on both empowerment outcomes and processes, to determine the relationship between the former and the latter, and to understand in more depth the context, process, and outcomes of the program through qualitative interviews and observations. A total of 66 mothers and nine service providers were involved. The results indicated that the respondents evaluated outcomes more positively than the processes. In terms of process, the majority of the women were satisfied with the location and services of the centre; but they women had mixed feelings about the technical quality and conduct of the service providers; and they did not have much control over the planning and the implementation of the program. In terms of outcome, the women were confident about the health and nutrition skills that they had acquired; they had improved access to food; they showed a strong sense of confidence; and they were satisfied with the program. In terms of the relationship between process and outcome, the processes of Provider Conduct and Self-determination were most strongly related to the outcomes. In order to improve the efficiency of the services at the centre, 1 identified appropriate roles for community psychologists which entail engaging in genuine community involvement