Perceived benefits and challenges of school feeding programs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A qualitative study

Abstract Background School feeding programs aim to reduce children’s immediate hunger, and improve health and education outcomes. However, there is limited data on the perceived benefits and challenges of the school feeding program in Addis Ababa. This study aimed to explore teachers’, students’, and parents’ perceptions of the school feeding program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in Addis Ababa from April 10 to May 26, 2023. In-depth interviews with children, school directors, and focus groups with parents in 20 randomly chosen public primary schools were used to collect data. A total of 88 participants were included in the study: 20 students (6th and 7th grade), 48 parents, and 20 school directors. The non-probability sampling technique was used to select participants. All data collected in the local language and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. The data were coded using ATLAS-TI version 9.1.3.0 software, and thematic analysis was done. Results The findings were presented as two major themes and eight sub-themes. 1) "Perceived benefits of school feeding programs," which comprised of four sub-themes, “improve educational and health outcomes, "reduce the socioeconomic burden of the family," "student behavior change" and "decreased social stigma and increased social integrity" sub-theme. 2) "Perceived barriers to SFPs gaps " include "poor market linkage between fostering mothers and producers," "poor infrastructure," underpayment of workers" and "increased sense of dependency." Conclusions The key perceived advantages of school feeding programs are improved students’ educational, health, behavior, and social integrity. Reduce the socioeconomic burden of the family. In particular, identified barriers and challenges include a lack of market linkage, poor infrastructure, and an emergent sense of dependency. Developing market connections, improving school facilities, raising public awareness of the risks associated with reliance on the school food program, and emphasizing the need for additional research to quantify potential benefits and obstacles of school feeding programs.