(LB02-12-25) Enhancing Dietary Diversity With Aquatic Foods in Bihar, India – A Mixed Method Study

Objectives: To assess improved access to and consumption of affordable aquatic nutrition—particularly among women, girls, and children—through behavioural design and Information, Education, and Communication(IEC) and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) interventions.

Methods: The baseline study, conducted between September and November 2023 across 12 districts in Bihar, used both quantitative and qualitative methods. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,216 fish-farming households, collecting data on household demographics, women’s empowerment (using the A-WEFI tool), fisheries livelihoods, and health and nutrition. Surveys were conducted in Hindi, with one male and one female respondent per household, corresponding to 2,432 participants evenly split by gender.

Qualitative research, including focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs), was conducted in three districts with 43 participants and three Anganwadi workers. These explored themes of empowerment, decision-making, community participation, and nutrition. Six intervention and six control districts were selected to ensure regional balance. A multi-stage sampling approach produced a slightly larger final sample of 2,562 respondents from 1,281 households, providing robust data for analysis.

Results: Initial findings revealed that only 22% of women have autonomy over daily dietary decisions, highlighting significant gender imbalances. 10% of women reported having no control over food-related choices, 60% expressed a desire for greater decision-making freedom. While men demonstrated higher awareness of dietary options, women faced more barriers in accessing diverse foods. Consumption of eggs, meat, and fish was low due to cultural norms and economic constraints, significantly impacting pregnant women’s diets. Fish, in particular, was seen as expensive and difficult to incorporate into meals, with few women purchasing it independently. 80% of women in FGDs reported abstaining from food on specific days each month due to religious beliefs.

Conclusions: IEC and SBCC interventions can effectively promote the consumption of nutrient-rich aquatic foods (like fish), improve dietary diversity, empower women in household decision-making and enhance economic and nutritional well-being of women and families.

Funding Sources: Gates Foundation