Role of schools in community mobilisation to improve IYCF practices in 6-24-month-old tribal children in the Banswara district, India: findings from the qualitative PANChSHEEEL study

Objective India has been struggling with infant malnutrition for decades. There is a need to identify suitable platforms for community engagement to promote locally feasible, resource efficient Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) interventions. This study aims to explore if and how schools could represent a site for community engagement in rural India, acting as innovation hubs to foster positive change in partnership with the Angawadi centres. Design Five-phase formative study; A parallel mixed methods approach structured by a socioecological framework was used for data collection at individual, household and community levels. This paper focuses on the qualitative findings. Setting This study was undertaken in nine villages within two blocks, 'Ghatol' and 'Kushalgarh', in the Banswara district of Rajasthan, India. Participants 17 schools were identified. Interviews were conducted with local opinion leaders and representatives in the education sector, including principals, schoolteachers, block and district education officers. Across the nine study villages, information was gathered from 67 mothers, 58 paternal grandmothers using Focus Discussion Groups (FDGs) and 49 key respondents in Key Informant Interviews. Results Schools were considered an important community resource. Challenges included limited parental participation and student absenteeism; however, several drivers and opportunities were identified, which may render schools a suitable intervention delivery site. Enrolment rates were high, with schools and associated staff encouraging parental involvement and student attendance. Existing initiatives, including the mid-day meal, play opportunities and education on health and hygiene, further highlight the potential reliability of schools as a platform for community mobilisation. Conclusions Schools have been shown to be functional platforms frequently visited and trusted by community members. With teachers and children as change agents, schools could represent a suitable setting for community mobilisation in future wider scale intervention studies. Expanding the supportive environment around schools will be essential to reinforce healthy IYCF practices in the long term.

Automated summary

India has been struggling with infant malnutrition for a long time. This study explores the potential of schools as sites for community engagement and positive change in rural India. Schools are considered important community resources, but there are challenges such as low parental participation and student absenteeism. However, schools have the potential to be intervention delivery sites and mobilize the community. This research suggests that schools, with teachers and children as change agents, could be suitable settings for future intervention studies.