title: What works and why? Evaluation of a community nutrition programme in Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the nutritional impact of a community-based programme that focused on social cohesion and action.
  
  
  METHODS
  The change in nutritional status of children aged 12–60 months was examined over a period of 3 years in Makueni District in Eastern Province of Kenya in six communities in which an intervention programme of Participatory Learning and Action was introduced and in ten communities in which only basic preparations were made but no intervention was started.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention was part of the Government of Kenya Community Based Nutrition Programme and was supported by the Government of Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 12–60 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among communities without intervention there were similar levels of underweight (mean Z-score: −1·63 v. −1·50 (NS); % with Z-score<–2: 36·6% v. 34·5% (NS)) and stunting (mean Z-score: −2·0 v. −1·99 (NS); % with Z-score<–2: 44·3% and 47·4% (NS)) at baseline and after 3 years. By contrast, among communities who had received interventions, there were significant improvements after 3 years in the levels of underweight (mean Z-score: −1·66 v. −1·37 (P<0·02); % with Z-score <–2: 42·9% v. 31·4% (P<0·035)) and stunting (mean Z-score: −2·05 v. −1·59 (P<0·05); % with Z-score<–2: 52·7% v. 39·7% (P<0·02)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate considerable potential for using Participatory Learning and Action as a community-based approach to effectively address child undernutrition. It is suggested that these interventions are developed, implemented and evaluated more widely as a mean of tackling childhood undernutrition and improving child survival and development.
authors.affiliation: Avenida Julius Nyerere, Maputo, Mozambique. kristinegarn@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Havemann
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomkins
authors.forename: Kristine Dandanell
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Garn
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*