Where we work

Nigeria

Moterhs and children at a clinic in Nigeria

Mothers and children at a clinic in Nigeria.

In Nigeria an estimated 270,000 babies are born each year to HIV-infected women, putting them at risk of maternal-to-child transmission.1 About 15 to 25 percent of these high-risk infants become infected after birth as a result of poor infant feeding practices. In addition, Nigeria has a high rate of under five malnutrition. According to the most recent Demographic and Health Survey, 41 percent of children under five years of age are stunted, 23 percent are underweight, and 14 percent are wasted.2

The IYCN Project launched activities in September 2009 to support the government’s efforts to reduce the high burden of maternal and child undernutrition and improve HIV-free survival. The project is providing technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health to review, update, and disseminate nutrition policies and guidelines, train health care workers in the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding area councils, and enhance behavior change programs targeting HIV-positive mothers and HIV-exposed children.

Highlights

  • In December 2009, IYCN started conducting a rapid assessment of maternal, infant, and young child nutrition practices and services. The assessment, which includes formative research on nutrition services and focus group discussions with mothers, caregivers, and key influencers, will inform the project’s approach to improving nutritional support for HIV-positive mothers and HIV-exposed children.

Learn more

Resources

National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria

Contact

For more information, contact the IYCN office in Nigeria.

 

1. National PMTCT Guidelines 2005

2. National Population Commission [Nigeria] and ORC Macro. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Preliminary Report. 2008. Calverton, Maryland: National Population Commission and ORC Macro; 2004.

Photos: Aurelio Ayala III, Richard Lord, David and Lucile Packard Foundation