In February 2025, Datametrics Associates Limited successfully concluded an endline evaluation for the Behavioral Barrier Analysis (BBA) on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices across five conflict-affected LGAs in Borno State – Gwoza, Damboa, Dikwa, Konduga and Monguno. This essential study was contracted by Mercy Corps under their Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts (BEGE) program, which aims to combat malnutrition through nutrition-specific interventions and behavior change strategies in Northeast Nigeria’s crisis-affected communities.
Project Overview
Prior to fieldwork, Datametrics trained twenty-five Research Assistants in Maiduguri from November 13-15, 2024. The intensive training equipped the fieldwork team with skills in Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) techniques, ethical data collection protocols, the study protocol and quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. This preparation ensured standard and quality data collection process across all study locations despite the challenging security and environmental conditions in Borno State.
The study employed a mixed-methods approach to thoroughly analyze barriers to optimal nutrition practices among doers and non-doers of exclusive breastfeeding, complimentary feeding, daily consumption of at least five out of eight defined food groups, equitable allocation of intra-household responsibilities and decision making and daily consumption of at least five out of ten defined food groups. Quantitative data was collected from 1,800 respondents across four key demographic groups: mothers of children aged 6-9 months, mothers of children aged 6-23 months, pregnant/lactating women, and fathers of children under two years. Each of the five LGAs contributed 360 quantitative respondents, evenly distributed across these categories.
Complementary qualitative data was gathered through 35 Focus Group Discussions (5 per LGA) and 35 Key Informant Interviews with community leaders, religious figures, nutrition officers, CBO representatives and healthcare workers. This dual approach provided both statistical evidence and contextual understanding of the socio-cultural factors influencing feeding practices.
Efficient Field Implementation
Field teams, each comprising four Research Assistants and one supervisor, worked efficiently across the LGAs for nine days per location. The teams leveraged Mercy Corps’ local networks for community entry and respondent mobilization, while using CAPI devices for real-time data capture. Despite challenges like network connectivity issues and security concerns in some of the LGAs, the teams successfully completed all planned interviews while maintaining strict ethical standards.
Contributing to Nutrition Solutions in Crisis Settings
This comprehensive study provides Mercy Corps and other stakeholders with critical insights into the behavioral and structural barriers affecting appropriate maternal and child nutrition in Borno State. The findings will inform more effective programming to address malnutrition in this fragile context, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for vulnerable women and children.
Datametrics remains committed to delivering high-quality research that informs impactful interventions in Nigeria’s most challenging humanitarian contexts.
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