Nutrition Education Programme Evaluation Among Adolescent Girls in Rural Southern Zambia: A Qualitative Study on Effectiveness and Longitudinal Outcomes

Nutrition insecurity remains a significant challenge for adolescent girls in rural southern Zambia, where inadequate dietary intake can lead to poor health outcomes and educational underperformance. The study employed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with participants, community leaders, and educators. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to programme efficacy and sustainability. A significant proportion (85%) of participants reported improved dietary knowledge and practices over the nine-month intervention period. Themes emerged around sustained behavioural changes and community support for nutrition education initiatives. The findings indicate that a targeted nutrition education programme can significantly enhance adolescent girls' nutritional awareness and behaviors, with long-term positive impacts observed in their health and academic trajectories. Future programmes should emphasise community engagement, dietary diversification strategies, and continuous monitoring to ensure sustained improvements. Policy makers are encouraged to integrate these findings into national nutrition policies for rural areas.