| Reporting Organization: | Aga Khan Foundation Canada |
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| Total Budget ($CAD): | $ 14,678,571 |
| Timeframe: | January 2, 2017 - March 31, 2021 |
| Status: | Completion |
| Contact Information: |
Rachel Pell [email protected] |
| Tanzania, United Republic of - $ 14,678,571.00 (100.00%) | |
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| Newborn & Child Health (40 %) | |
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| Reproductive Health & Rights incl. Maternal Health (40 %) | |
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| Health Systems, Training & Infrastructure (20 %) | |
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The ‘Improving Access to Maternal and Newborn Health in Mwanza, Tanzania’ (IMPACT) project is implemented in the Mwanza Region of the United Republic of Tanzania between January 2017 and March 2021. It aims to improve reproductive, maternal and newborn health (RMNH) outcomes through a comprehensive health system strengthening approach, including addressing drivers of poor maternal and newborn health such as gender inequalities. The project will reach approximately 653,499 women of reproductive age and 83,606 infants under the age of one (50.0% girls) as its ultimate beneficiaries. An additional 320,918 men are also expected to be reached through community sensitization activities. IMPACT is executed by Aga Khan Foundation Canada and implemented by partner agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and in close collaboration with the national and regional Tanzanian government.
| Gender and age: | Adult women Adult men Adolescent females Newborns |
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| Descriptors: | Rural |
| Total Direct Population: | 1,058,023 |
| Total Indirect Population: | 9,631 |
| 119 | Health workers trained on SBMR |
| 198 | Health system managers trained and mentored |
| 240 | Health workers trained on RMNH |
| 80 | Health facilities equipped |
| 802 | Community groups established |
| 822 | CHWs trained |
Intermediate Outcome 1100: Improved availability of quality maternal and newborn health services in underserved districts in Tanzania
Intermediate Outcome 1200: Increased utilization of maternal and newborn health services by women and their families in targeted districts in Tanzania
Across the project lifecycle, IMPACT achieved significant reproductive, maternal, and newborn health (RMNH) and gender equality results. This included improving quality, gender responsive and adolescent- friendly service delivery at 80 targeted health facilities through infrastructure improvements, equipment provision and quality improvement systems. This was combined with capacity building for over 430 health workers, 60% female, through short courses, specialist upgrading for priority RMNH skills gaps, on the job mentorship and supportive supervision. Together, this resulted in a 18% increase in skilled birth attendance at delivery and a 12% increase in health facilities meeting Basic or Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care standards. In addition, by endline, over 85% of targeted health facilities were meeting gender responsive and adolescent-friendly service delivery requirements compared to 0% at endline. There was also a 24% increase in health facilities with adequate infectious waste disposal systems in place, achieving a coverage of 94% of targeted health facilities.
To improve utilisation of RMNH services, IMPACT implemented a multi-faceted, contextually responsive community health strategy that included social behaviour communication change and capacity strengthening approaches to address the drivers of poor RMNH outcomes, including gender inequality and geographic and financial barriers to seeking care. IMPACT trained and mentored 717 (388F/329M) Community Health Workers (CHWs), 6135 (5237F/898M) Community Volunteers and 571 (185F/386M) Ward Health Committee members to build community knowledge and support for positive RMNH practices, including promoting gender equality. It also broadcast 144 interactive radio programs and supported the establishment of community transportation plans for health services in 68 wards. Citizen participation in health governance was supported through Social Accountability Monitoring and capacity building of ward and health facility governance committees, with specific attention to the representation and active participation of women within these committees. These efforts resulted in substantial gains. By the end of the project, 77% of women were attending at least four antenatal care visits during pregnancy (20% increase from baseline), 71% of women reported initiating breastfeeding for their newborn within one hour of birth (20% increase from baseline), and 84% of women reported support from their spouse and/or family in accessing family planning services (49% increase from baseline).
