Faster Insights: Qualitative Analysis of IYCF Practices

This post shows how teams can convert Palghar's mixed-methods IYCF data into rapid, defensible themes and program decisions using AI-enabled qualitative workflows.

• The Palghar protocol (published 15 July 2026) combines IDIs with structured pre/post surveys and process monitoring across 77 AWCs, enrolling 460 mother–infant dyads at baseline and 460 at endline.
• The study area is Ganjad PHC in Palghar District, Maharashtra, and the trial is registered CTRI/2024/06/068427 (06 June 2024).
• Evidano streamlines the pipeline: ingest audio and logs, auto-transcribe with local dictionaries, apply PII redaction, auto-code at scale, and produce cross-segment visualizations for stakeholders.

This section explains why the Palghar protocol is valuable for qualitative researchers and program teams.

The Palghar protocol combines in-depth interviews (IDIs) with structured pre/post surveys and process monitoring across 77 AWCs to evaluate a multi-component IYCF intervention.

• Key program components include SBCC training for frontline workers, pictorial IEC, hot cooked complementary feeds at Anganwadi Centres, and micronutrient supplementation.
• Qualitative inputs include IDIs with ASHAs, AWWs and supervisors collected during Feb–Sep 2024 situational analysis.
• Qualitative analysis explains why and how uptake varies, for example due to cultural beliefs, logistics and counselling quality.

This section summarizes the data streams the protocol generated for mixed-methods analysis.

The study pairs structured quantitative surveys (eight WHO IYCF core indicators, anthropometry) with qualitative IDIs of frontline workers and stakeholders.

Process monitoring logs (weekly), diet cards, IEC materials, WhatsApp group threads and audio recordings from cooking demonstrations and role plays create a multi-modal corpus.

• Qualitative data are IDIs, role-plays, field notes and supervisor feedback, transcribed and analyzed thematically (Nvivo v13 in protocol).
• Quantitative data are baseline and endline surveys (n=460 each), with process indicators tracked weekly (for example, number receiving ≥2 complementary feeds at AWC).
• Intervention elements that generate text and audio artifacts include SBCC sessions, recipe demos, community competitions and mother diet cards.

This 7-step workflow outlines how to move from raw collection to an evidence brief using Evidano.

• 1) Ingest: upload audio (IDIs, demos), photos of diet cards and survey spreadsheets into Evidano.
• 2) Transcribe & translate: run auto-transcription with a custom dictionary for local food terms and tribal names; apply PII redaction.
• 3) Import codebook: load the protocol’s thematic codes (IYCF core items, SBCC constructs) or let Evidano propose starter codes.
• 4) Auto-code + review: apply AI-assisted coding, then human-review high-uncertainty segments.
• 5) Cross-segment analysis: compare themes by AWC, worker type and caregiver subgroup; export frequency tables.
• 6) Visualize: create co-occurrence networks and hierarchical code trees for presentations to district officials.
• 7) Report & iterate: produce a 1-page executive brief and clickable quote bank for policy conversations; schedule follow-up AI avatar interviews for unresolved questions.

This conclusion recommends next steps for teams with IYCF mixed-methods data.

The Palghar protocol is a strong example of programmatic mixed-methods data that benefits from AI-assisted qualitative workflows.

For teams running IDIs, process logs and diet-card backed interventions, AI tools that handle audio, local language, secure PII redaction and cross-segment thematic analytics shorten the path from fieldnotes to policy.

• Read the full protocol on PLOS ONE.
• Ready to pilot this workflow on your IYCF corpus? Explore Evidano or Try Evidano for free.