O-34 Improving household nutrition security and public health in the CARICOM: project overview
Author(s):
W Jones , MM Murphy , FJ Henry , L Dunn , TA Samuels
Country(ies) Of Focus:
- CARPHA Member States
- CARICOM Countries
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: To provide an overview of the ‘Improving Household Nutrition Security and Public Health in the CARICOM’ (Food and Nutrition: FaN) project’s objectives, design and methods, and summarize some of its core activities and achievements.
Methods: The three project countries were Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To answer the research question, “What are the most effective, gendersensitive ways to improve food sovereignty, household food security, and nutrition in CARICOM states?”, there were four objectives - two research objectives including scoping reviews and stakeholder engagement; and two objectives to design and assess interventions. The project was originally planned for execution January 2018 to January 2022. However, a 6-month no-cost extension was granted due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related project delays.
Results: Thirteen COVID-modified interventions were pursued under the categories schools, communities, and CARICOM supports and included revision of Primary and Secondary school curricula and development of school nutrition standards. Regional capacity was strengthened through community interventions, two Master of Public Health scholarships, and upgrading of lab equipment to test foods for fats, sodium, and sugar in Jamaica, among others. Dissemination was undertaken under the re-branded slogan and logo, “Food 4 Change Caribbean”. The project website (www.food4changecaribbean.org) hosts reports and videos to ensure that resources can be accessed beyond the project time frame.
Conclusion: Despite challenges precipitated by the COVID19 pandemic, including tabling of planned in-person activities, the project team was able to re-group and re-design interventions to accommodate the new reality.