Great beginnings: a prenatal program evaluation

This study represents the evaluation of The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Great Beginnings Project of Canning, Nova Scotia. The evaluation is based on the views as expressed in three focus groups of women who had been participating in the project. The women identified several reasons for becoming involved in the program which included support with other mothers, information and financial help. These factors were also identified as services the women were receiving from participating in the program. The women appreciated the nutritional supplement called The Good Food Box as it was the vehicle for initiation of social contact and interaction. Final analysis indicates that the program is meeting the short term needs of these women. The participants express interest in meeting as a group for future support in the future and after the program was concluded for them. As well the women indicated they would like to have the program extended. These results indicate there is a need to build in sustainable support and skills as a component of the program. Recommendations include involving participants as peer support, developing a group meeting, develop means to address sustainable support with other mothers, and ways to spread out the food budget. The findings from these groups were used to redirect program priorities and to improve delivery of services.