This study was conducted to appraise UNICEF‟s communication approaches
for the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programme in Benue state.
Child malnutritionhas been achallenging issue,with the IYCF programme
deployingseveral communication approachesto reduce the level of
malnutrition in Nigeria. This research was anchored on the Health Belief
Model and the Northouse and Northouse Model of health communication, to
knowthe extentwhich the communication approaches have been utilized and
their effectiveness. Both qualitative and quantitative method were used
to elicit information from 77 respondents in Otukpo and Makurdi Local
Government Area. The study found that the communication approachmade
positive impact on malnutrition level. 74.3% of the respondents across
the four communities in the two Local Government Areas agreed that there
was a significant change in the nutritional status of their children
after they participated in the programme. Findings also showed that
economic factors, distance, language of communication, gender apathy,
awareness level and timing are significant factors limiting the
effectiveness of IYCF programme.The involvement of the participants to
give feedback was observed as critical to sustenance of different
communication approaches used forthe programme. It is thus recommended
that the use of communication approaches that combine indigenous and
conventional methods should be sustained for more impactful results for
future interventions. Also, there is need to initiate community radio
intervention to give room for local participation and ownership.