………….unveils IEC materials on MMS uptake drive
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Towards improved maternal nutrition for expectant women and adolescent girls in Bauchi State, Bill and Millenda Gates Foundation funded fhi 360 Alive & Thrive Project has unveiled draft Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials developed, to equip Journalists with an innovative approach to information dissemination.
The capacity building workshop was organised by fhi 360 Alive & Thrive Project with a view to deepening media practitioner’s skills in advocating for uptake of Multiple Micronutrients Supplement (MMS) that was recently launched in the State.
During the Two Days activity which was held at Yimir Hotel Bauchi, participants were taken through some components of media advocacy that were specifically designed to highlight the benefits of MMS uptake among target audiences.
In a highly participatory engagement with the participants, the senior social and behaviour change technical advisor of fhi 360, Dr. Auwalu Kawu said that, though iron and folic acid supplements has been widely used to combat iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy, it only addresses iron and folic acid deficiencies, leaving out other essentials nutrients requirements of the pregnant women.
Dr. Kawu revealed that MMS provides 15 essential vitamins and minerals that includes vitamins A, C , D, Zinc, Calcium and more, emphasising that “MMS provides broader nutritional support to pregnant women, improves cognitive development in children and reduces neonatal mortality, in addition to cost effeciency benefits and, reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes”.
The SBC advisor said that uptake of MMS remains low due to behavioural and social barriers such as poor awareness, misconceptions, myths and limited access to MMS.
He further said that media practitioners require orientation on MMS benefits and behavioural change messaging techniques to raise awareness and dispel rumours and myths.
Participants were also presented with draft Advocacy materials that were developed by fhi 360 in collaboration with other key partners. The participants x-rayed the draft IEC materials and made inputs with a view to making it richer, user friendly more acceptable by the target audience in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
Contributing in the discussions, Bauchi State Team Lead of fhi 360 Alive Project and Thrive Project, Asimobi Chidiebere informed the participants that the objective of the media engagement was to increase more awareness about the importance of MMS and also provide knowledge to participants through factual and clear information on the benefits of MMS.
The STL also said that the engagement would equip the participants with the techniques required to change attitudes by addressing misconceptions and promote a positive outlook on MMS among pregnant women and their families.
Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent after the workshop expressed their delight at being part of workshop which they all agreed was highly educative and participatory. They said that the knowledge gained during the workshop would enhance their output in their respective media houses.
Participants were also presented with a workshop memorabilia that includes T-shirts, Bags, Note Books and Pens.
Our correspondent reports that the workshop attracted media practitioners from Radio, Television, Print and Online platforms , and officials of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board.