Reduction in Anemia through Normative Innovations ( RANI )

Funded by: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Partner: Milken School of Public Health,The George Washington University

About the Project:

Using an innovative package of interventions, RANI Project aims to increase the number of women in Orissa (India) who regularly take IFA supplements and thereby reduce anaemia. Orissa has anaemia prevalence of 51% among non-pregnant women (15- 49 Years old) and 48% among pregnant women between (15- 49 Years old), NFHS 4. We seek to promote changes in social norms, knowledge attitudes and behaviours of WRA (Women of Reproductive Age) and pregnant women in Orissa that will increase Iron and Folic acid supplement consumption and reduction in Anaemia. The project has 3 Phases.

• Mixed Method Formative Research (Qualitative, Quantitative, Rapid Peer method)
• Behaviour change Interventions (Adaptive, Participatory, Cost effective)
• Evaluation (Randomized Control Trial Approach)

Geographical Location:Athmallik and Kishorenagar Blocks, Angul, Orissa.

Achievements till Date:The Formative Research part of the project has just been completed and Qualitative analysis has surfaced interesting problem areas regarding understanding Anaemia and IFA.

• Women donot have a clear understanding of Anaemia and its symptoms leading to lack of awareness that they are suffering from a treatable disease.
• Belief that IFA leads to unusual growth of the unborn child inside the womb, which eventually leads to a complicated delivery.
• Lack of knowledge around mitigating common IFA Side-Effects.
• Poor Involvement of Men in household matters hampers access of IFA.

Using the analysis results, the Intervention was designed. The intervention design has been field tested in October 2018 and necessary amendments have been carried out. The actual Intervention will take place in the early 2019.

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