Author(s): Seid Kassaw Yimer1*, Tesfahun Asmamaw Kasie2
Introduction: Malnutrition is a complex problem related to various factors and there is need for nutrition specific interventions as well as nutrition-sensitive programs, the latter through a multi-sectoral approach. Global experience and evidence show that improvements in nutrition security will require a multi-sectorial and coordinated response. One of the five objectives of national nutrition program II for malnutrition reduction in Ethiopia is multisectoral nutrition coordination. To implement this objective effectively, there is a designed coordination mechanism from national up to community level.
Experiences of multisectoral collaborations from South America, Asia, Africa and Europian region showed that the most important barriers to multisectoral, implementation were poor political commitment, poor communication among key individuals and sectors, lack of political, financial and administrative accountability.
Methods: Qualitative study design has been used with semi structured open ended questions to collect information from woredas key informants and kebeles focus group discussion participants. Framework data analysis approach has been used with all five stages.
Results: The result showed multisectoral nutrition coordination program was not properly coordinated on both woredas. The key challenges identified on both districts were absence of regular monitoring and evaluation, lack of communication, absence of accountability mechanisms, structural problem and lack of line item budget specific for coordination activities.
Conclusion: From findings of both districts, multisectoral nutrition interventions are not effectively coordinated in both districts. Over the past years, the integrated supportive supervision, review meeting, regular report, feedback mechanisms and program evaluation were poorly coordinated at each level.
