2.3. Techniques and procedures
Ethics approval was obtained from the Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Free State and the Ministry of Health in Lesotho. Baseline and follow-up assessments were carried out during 2013 at baseline and 6 months after the intervention.After a random selection of villages to be included in the study, the researcher arranged information sessions with the community leaders/counselors to sensitize them to the intended project and obtain approval. The community leaders were asked to call Five research assistants (qualified nutritionists from the National University of Lesotho) were recruited and trained to conduct the interviews. The pilot study was completed among 26 volunteers in an area other than Maseru and Berea, and thus these women were not included in the main study. The pilot study served to determine if questions were understood clearly and the time that it would take to complete an interview.Volunteers assembled at the agreed venues on the set dates and times arranged for baseline measurements and interviews. After the participants had signed consent, the researcher and field workers completed the questionnaires in a structured interview with each participant. Nutrition-related self-efficacy and locus of control were assessed using a semi-structured knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) questionnaire designed by the research team. To assess self-efficacy and locus of control, participants' responses to specific statements were categorized in terms of whether they believed in their own capability to produce and eat a healthy diet; and whether they had an internal or external locus of control regarding food.To assure validity, the questionnaire was based on an in-depth literature review and compiled in accordance with the standard methods suggested by health psychology and health promotion experts and followed the suggested guidelines of theories of health behavior (The nutrition education intervention was presented after completion of the baseline survey. Ten 2-day participatory workshops were presented in intervention groups (