The USAID Jordan Community Health and Nutrition (CHN) activity works to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of 2 by achieving measurable improvements in key behaviors related to maternal, infant and young child nutrition, as well as postpartum family planning. CHN is implemented by a consortium led by FHI 360 that includes three local partners: the Health Care Accreditation Council (HCAC), King Hussein Foundation’s Institute for Family Health (IFH), and Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS).
Working with the Jordan Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders, the project addresses supply- and demand-related constraints using a comprehensive, systems approach. Based on a socioecological model for change, the project engages with communities as champions of their own health. For example, FHI 360’s social and behavior change expertise was crucial in supporting the MOH’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CHN launched five national TV, radio and social media campaigns on adopting COVID-19 preventative measures and encouraging vaccine uptake in Jordan. CHN also collaborated with RHAS to roll out COVID-19 community awareness activities.
CHN also developed a lactation counselor certification program in Jordan — the first of its kind in the country. The project aims to create a cadre of lactation support specialists across Jordan and the region more broadly. Furthermore, CHN translated the widely utilized global infant and young child feeding e-learning package, Investing in Child Nutrition, into Arabic, and adapted it for use in the Middle East. CHN, working closely with IFH, has also developed a classroom-based course to strengthen providers’ counseling skills.
Additionally, CHN is establishing a model service of maternal, infant and young child nutrition and postpartum family planning services in 21 health facilities across the continuum of care. The project worked closely with HCAC on a certification process to standardize maternal, infant and young child nutrition and postpartum family planning services at selected health facilities.