Infant and young child feeding in Ethiopia is sub-optimal, and is especially so in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia. The International Potato Center (CIP) and People in Need (PIN) are working with Emory University and local stakeholders to implement the Quality Diets for Better Health (QDBH) project. The project aims to improve diets by promoting homestead production of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP), a bioavailable source of vitamin A, and through community-based nutrition education. In May through July 2017 Emory University conducted a literature review and qualitative formative research, the goals of which were to:

1. Describe and identify motivators of current infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices.

2. Identify barriers and facilitators to optimal IYCF behaviors.

3. Understand current knowledge of vitamin A and perceptions of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes.

4. Assess acceptability of Healthy Living Clubs.

5. Assess acceptability of Healthy Baby Toolkit.