TY - JOUR

T1 - The role of evidence in nutrition policymaking in Ethiopia

T2 - institutional structures and issue framing

AU - Walls, Helen

AU - Johnston, Deborah

AU - Vecchione, Elisa

AU - Adam, Abdulfatah

AU - Parkhurst, Justin

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - MotivationMalnutrition is the single greatest contributor to the global burden of morbidity and mortality, with the majority of cases arising in low‐ and middle‐income countries. However, the multi‐sectoral nature of nutrition policymaking adds considerable complexity to the implementation of effective programmes. This raises questions about why or how relevant policy change may come about within different country settings. PurposeThis paper examines multi‐sectoral nutrition policymaking from the health sector perspective, specifically focusing on different sectorial perspectives and the role and use of evidence within this. The case study of Ethiopia provides a unique example of the challenging nature of multi‐sectoral nutrition policy‐making, even with a strong coordinating infrastructure. Approach and methodsWe undertook 23 in‐depth semi‐structured interviews held in December 2014 with stakeholders from key health sector organisations, and a related documentary analysis. Participants represented a diverse range of perspectives, including government representatives, policy stakeholders, aid providers from multi‐lateral organisations, and academic researchers. FindingsOur respondents described how nutrition framing in Ethiopia is changing, with greater consideration of overweight, obesity and non‐communicable diseases, as well as undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. However, overweight‐ and obesity‐related concerns are still less evident in key documents. Some health actors described the challenge of enacting structural policy changes when doing so requires engagement from the agriculture sector. Whilst multi‐sectoral plans and infrastructure to address malnutrition are in place, respondents suggested that the mandate for addressing nutrition lying with the health sector was reinforced by the nature of evidence collected. ConclusionThis study of nutrition policymaking in Ethiopia highlights the complex interaction of evidence within different conceptualisations of policy problems and responses. Despite Ethiopia's strategic framework and its progress in achieving terms of nutrition targets, it shares the challenge of countries elsewhere in addressing nutrition as a multi‐sectoral issue.

AB - MotivationMalnutrition is the single greatest contributor to the global burden of morbidity and mortality, with the majority of cases arising in low‐ and middle‐income countries. However, the multi‐sectoral nature of nutrition policymaking adds considerable complexity to the implementation of effective programmes. This raises questions about why or how relevant policy change may come about within different country settings. PurposeThis paper examines multi‐sectoral nutrition policymaking from the health sector perspective, specifically focusing on different sectorial perspectives and the role and use of evidence within this. The case study of Ethiopia provides a unique example of the challenging nature of multi‐sectoral nutrition policy‐making, even with a strong coordinating infrastructure. Approach and methodsWe undertook 23 in‐depth semi‐structured interviews held in December 2014 with stakeholders from key health sector organisations, and a related documentary analysis. Participants represented a diverse range of perspectives, including government representatives, policy stakeholders, aid providers from multi‐lateral organisations, and academic researchers. FindingsOur respondents described how nutrition framing in Ethiopia is changing, with greater consideration of overweight, obesity and non‐communicable diseases, as well as undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. However, overweight‐ and obesity‐related concerns are still less evident in key documents. Some health actors described the challenge of enacting structural policy changes when doing so requires engagement from the agriculture sector. Whilst multi‐sectoral plans and infrastructure to address malnutrition are in place, respondents suggested that the mandate for addressing nutrition lying with the health sector was reinforced by the nature of evidence collected. ConclusionThis study of nutrition policymaking in Ethiopia highlights the complex interaction of evidence within different conceptualisations of policy problems and responses. Despite Ethiopia's strategic framework and its progress in achieving terms of nutrition targets, it shares the challenge of countries elsewhere in addressing nutrition as a multi‐sectoral issue.

U2 - 10.1111/dpr.12385

DO - 10.1111/dpr.12385

M3 - Journal article

VL - 37

SP - 293

EP - 310

JO - Development Policy Review

JF - Development Policy Review

SN - 0950-6764

IS - 2

ER -