Understanding Implementation and Improving Nutrition Interventions: Barriers and Facilitators of Using Data Strategically to Inform the Implementation of Maternal Nutrition in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Background In response to the high levels of maternal nutrition in Uttar Pradesh, Alive & Thrive (AT however, only 23% reported using data to inform decision making. Facilitators of data collection and use included collaboration between health department officials, perceived importance of block ranking, and monthly review meetings with staff and supervisors to review and discuss data. Barriers to data collection and use included human resource gaps, inadequate technology infrastructure, FLW educational level, political structure, and lack of cooperation between FLWs and supervisors. Conclusions The use of data for decision making is critical for supporting intervention planning and providing targeted supervision and support for FLWs. Despite intensive data-collection efforts, the use of data to inform decision making remains limited. Collaboration facilitated data collection and use, but structural barriers such as staff vacancies need to be addressed to improve the implementation of maternal nutrition interventions.