Infant and young child feeding in Vietnam

In numerous developing countries, a large proportion of preschool children suffer from chronic malnutrition that leads to higher mortality, stunting and, later, learning difficulties and a lower capacity to participate in the development of their countries. Unsuitable food practices during the first two years of life, in particular the too early introduction and poor nutritional and sanitary quality of foods used in addition to breastmilk, are one of the primary reasons for the appearance of chronic malnutrition that is still today prevalent in some regions of Vietnam.

In order to contribute to a sustainable reduction of infant malnutrition in this country, an action research project, Fasevie, was established jointly by the IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) and GRET (the Research and Technological Exchange Group) and conducted in partnership with various Vietnamese organisations of national (NIN, the National Institute for Nutrition) and provincial (People's Committees, Preventive Health Services, Women's Union, and private or public companies) scope. Fasevie is part of the Nutridev programme conducted by GRET and the IRD in various developing countries.

In this book, the Fasevie team recounts the experiences of this program initiated in 1994. In so doing, it intends to share the programme's accomplishments and the lessons learnt—both successes and failures—from the actions conducted.

After a detailed presentation of the initial context and an explanation of the strategic and technical choices made, the authors describe the actions undertaken and the results obtained. Methodologicalsupplements explain and propose more general methods and their interest and limitations. The practical tools used by the programme (survey techniques, marketing strategies, etc.) are also discussed.

This book is therefore written for all those active in the field of nutrition in developing countries who wish to learn about the know-how that has been tested and validated by Fasevie so as to apply this know-how when setting up or expanding their own programmes, in Vietnam or elsewhere.