ABSTRACT

Purpose

To determine the nutrition competency level and training needs of agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in Uganda.

Design/Methodology/Approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four districts with 61 private and 163 public AEWs. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires and analysed using means, Chi-square and Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score.

Findings

AEWs require 9 core competence domains: Basic nutrition; Nutrition needs of household members; Hygiene and sanitation; Post-harvest handling; Planning and resource allocation among others. AEWs were above average competence in most (8) competency domains. Private AEWs perceived themselves to be more competent (($\overline{X}$ = 4.26) than the public AEWs ($\overline{X}=3.77$), χ2 (224) = 20.1182, p = < 0.01). Prioritized needs by public and private AEWs were; Understanding nutrition needs of different household members, Farming systems that promote nutrition and Postharvest handling and food safety.

Practical Implications

Pre-service and in-service training of AEWs should focus on the identified core competence domains and the priority training needs respectively, depending on the organization contexts.

Theoretical Implications

This study demonstrates that the competency profile of AEWs should include community based nutrition education. Situations where private AEWs have higher capacity than their public sector counterparts, present an opportunity for cross-learning.

Originality/Value

Community based nutrition education has been traditionally the mandate of health sector ministries, and the capacity requirements of AEWs who are not nutrition experts has been contested. This study provides empirical evidence regarding nutrition education competence needs of AEWs to enable them ably complement other sectors in multi-sectoral nutrition policy contexts.

中文翻译：

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乌干达农业推广人员的营养教育能力

摘要

目的

确定乌干达农业推广人员 (AEW) 的营养能力水平和培训需求。

设计/方法论/方法

在四个地区进行了一项横断面调查，有 61 个私人和 163 个公共 AEW。使用自我管理的结构化问卷收集数据，并使用平均值、卡方和平均加权差异得分进行分析。

发现

AEW 需要 9 个核心能力领域：基础营养；家庭成员的营养需求；卫生和卫生；收获后处理；规划和资源分配等。AEW 在大多数 (8) 能力领域都高于平均能力。私人 AEW 认为自己更有能力（（$\overline{X}$ = 4.26) 比公共 AEW ($\overline{X}=3.77$)，χ2 (224) = 20.1182，p  = < 0.01）。公共和私人 AEW 的优先需求是；了解不同家庭成员的营养需求、促进营养的农业系统以及收获后处理和食品安全。

实际影响

AEW 的职前和在职培训应分别侧重于确定的核心能力领域和优先培训需求，具体取决于组织环境。

理论意义

这项研究表明，AEW 的能力概况应包括基于社区的营养教育。私营 AEW 能力高于公共部门同行的情况为交叉学习提供了机会。

原创性/价值

以社区为基础的营养教育历来是卫生部门的任务，非营养专家的 AEW 的能力要求一直受到质疑。本研究提供了关于 AEW 营养教育能力需求的实证证据，使他们能够在多部门营养政策背景下巧妙地补充其他部门。