Outcome indicators in nutrition intervention project evaluation.

This paper presents in outline form a methodology used to evaluate 6 nutrition intervention studies and pertinent aspects of evaluation which different organizations should address. Objectives for planning future studies are: 1) to determine whether enough information is now available to conclude that nutrition interventions can have significant beneficial effects on nutritional status and mortality of newborn children 2) to define major weaknesses which have been repeated in recently executed studies and 3) to recommend guidelines for future program design and evaluation. The evaluation of each project comprised of: 1) familiarization with the available projects and studies relevant to future programs; and 2) epidemiological studies of the validity of the project the validity of the results and the applicability of the results in terms of costs technical feasibility and acceptibility. Secondary analysis concluded that in study designs too little attention was paid by planners of the study to selection of valid controls and the method of analysis stopped short of sophisticated analysis. Several questions about service programs and applied service projects are stated for those contemplating the initiation of any health programs or research projects.