Aimed at testing the ability of a norms-based behaviour change intervention to reduce anemia, RANI was a clustered randomised controlled trial. The project supported the national and state governments’ anemia reduction endeavours among women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Using an innovative package of interventions, RANI promoted changes in social norms, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of WRA and pregnant women in Odisha to increase initial intake and adherence to iron and folic acid consumption and reduce anemia.
As a local research and implementation partner we are collaborating with Odisha Livelihood Mission, capitalising on the strength of the Self-Help Groups promoted by them in Angul. RANI is based on a unique design, that is being implemented for the first time in the world, where social and behavioural norms affecting an individual, key influencers, and the larger community are being targeted to move the needle.
Key Outcomes
- 17,000+ women across 130 treatment villages participated in the intervention
- 16,800+ WRAs were tested under the programme and were made aware of their hemoglobin levels
- 12.5 % reduction in the proportion of anemic women in the treatment arm at the endline
- 88% increase in self-reported iron folic acid consumption in the treatment villages
- An improvement of 0.34g/dL in the hemoglobin levels at the end of the intervention
