Faster Qualitative Analysis of IYCF Interventions

Key Takeaways: The July 15, 2026 PLoS One protocol describes a 24-month quasi-experimental IYCF study in Palghar that combines SBCC, pictorial IEC, hot-cooked complementary feeds at Anganwadi Centres, and micronutrient supplementation, with quantitative samples of 460 infants per round and rich qualitative inputs to guide adaptation.

• The Palghar protocol (published 15 July 2026) is a 24-month, pre/post quasi-experimental mixed-methods study with quantitative samples of 460 infants per round (age 6–12 months) and registered as CTRI/2024/06/068427.
• Qualitative data (IDIs with AWWs, ASHAs and supervisors, plus process logs and recipe demo notes) are used to surface local barriers and acceptability and are triangulated with weekly process indicators and diet-card records.
• Evidano automates transcription, PII redaction, AI-assisted coding, cross-segment frequency analysis, and stakeholder-ready outputs to accelerate synthesis and policy reporting.

Fast take: PLoS One published a protocol on July 15, 2026 for a 24-month quasi-experimental study in Ganjad PHC, Palghar that combines SBCC training, pictorial IEC, hot-cooked complementary feeds at Anganwadi Centres, and micronutrient supplementation, and the full protocol is available from PLoS One.

• Design: Pre/post quasi-experimental mixed methods (baseline, 12-month intervention, post-intervention).
• Qualitative inputs: IDIs with AWWs, ASHAs, supervisors, and process notes from recipe demos and group sessions (Feb–Sep 2024 situational analysis).
• Quantitative: Independent baseline and endline samples of 460 infants (6–12 months) across 44 AWCs.
• Why it matters: Tribal areas show persistent gaps (NFHS-5 notes ~35.5% stunting nationally) and contextualized qualitative insights are essential to adapt scalable ICDS strategies.

What the protocol does: The protocol combines behaviour change (SBCC) with hands-on supports including pictorial booklets, live cooking demos, weekly food charts, hot-cooked complementary feeds at Anganwadi Centres, and iron/calcium/vitamin D supplements, while building capacity of frontline workers and engaging mothers through group sessions and diet cards.

• Mixed methods: quantitative KAP and anthropometry (pre/post) plus qualitative IDIs and process monitoring.
• Process monitoring includes weekly indicators (feeds served, MDD/MMF/MAD attainment, readouts from diet cards).
• Implementation is culturally explicit: IEC materials and recipes use locally available foods and pictorial aids suitable for low literacy.

Ethics note: the study received ICMR-NIRRCH ethics clearance (Nov 13, 2023) and uses anonymization and consent; findings are research-focused and non-diagnostic.

Reproducible 10-step workflow: This checklist converts existing IDIs, process logs and diet cards into a rapid qualitative synthesis within two weeks when using automated tools and a structured process.

• 1) Ingest audio files and field notes into Evidano; add a custom dictionary for local food names and tribal terms.
• 2) Run automated transcription; review and correct using searchable timestamps.
• 3) Redact PII automatically and tag speaker roles (AWW, ASHA, mother, supervisor).
• 4) Upload baseline/endline structured data for cross-segmentation (village, AWC, role).
• 5) Import a draft codebook (IYCF core indicators plus emergent codes) and run AI-assisted coding.
• 6) Review auto-suggested themes; merge or split into hierarchies.
• 7) Generate cross-segment frequency matrices (for example, theme prevalence by AWC) and co-occurrence networks.
• 8) Extract 20 stakeholder-ready quotes and a one-page thematic brief; auto-format for slide decks.
• 9) Validate key themes with a two-hour stakeholder workshop and tag matched quotes in Evidano.
• 10) Export visuals and a reproducible analysis package for policy submission and program adaptation.

Wrapping up: The Palghar protocol (published 15 July 2026) is a model of context-sensitive IYCF implementation, and its operational value depends on rapid, reproducible qualitative synthesis that links frontline narratives to measurable process indicators (n=460 per round).

• Ready to pilot? Start by uploading a small set of transcripts and diet-card logs to validate codebooks and dictionary entries.
• For teams running IYCF pilots, Evidano speeds insight-to-decision cycles so you can adapt recipes, IEC, or supervision within months, not a year.

Get a demo and test this workflow with your data by signing up: Try Evidano for free.